I started Metroplex as a joke. In-universe metroplex is a colossus, with an alternate mode which is a literal city. In the War for Cybertron: Earthrise toyline a new type of figure was introduced called “modulators” in the deluxe size class which essentially became tiny modular base modes which could be joined together to form larger interconnected networks. I felt it could be entertaining to take the normally titanic character of metroplex but scale him with these smaller figures

I worked on this design for about 2 weeks. Sculpt was my main focus as the alternate “city” mode could be fairly simple while still being accurate. I first designed a connection ramp which would make the figure compatible with the Earthrise modulators and begun modelling the legs and torso from there. I had a simple idea for how to make the legs and feet transform, as well as an approximate idea for the torso.  After about a week I had a full robot design for Metroplex which I was happy with. I had wanted to make him the same height as official modulators, but stockier and slightly super deformed. I had also had the idea of making his forearms very bulky so that they could be used as gauntlets by other figures in the line. The result was this robot design. There was an earlier version, however, I felt the proportions were off so I did a chunk of rescaling. Sadly this initial version is now lost

After completing the robot mode I devised the transformation. The legs worked as initially intended and adding engineering back in took only an hour or two, with the feet detaching and becoming ramps. The modulator concept features designs which transform largely by disassembling and re-assembling using a universal 5mm peg port system. The arms utilise this in their transformation, with one parm pegging behind the back as a rear tower and the other folds up at the double joint to form a more cohesive block. Working the articulation into the arms proved initially an issue as high articulation was the goal and the bulky forearms required a creative solution for double-jointed range. Finally, half the chest unfolds into a helipad and the hands unpeg from the forearms and peg in on the back. I’m overall happy with the base mode, and this design got an excellent reception from people who follow my work so it is high in the 3D print queue at the moment