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Jointing Joint Design questions

Jan 22, 2008

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    1. Well, I am planning to make a BJD, and I had some questions about Jointing.

      I want to make a doll with joints similar to The new Unoa zero.

      I like how the doll has an extended range of movement, and how it doesn't have the 'double butt' effect when it sits down.

      [​IMG]
      (image from I-doloid)

      Sadly to do this, I would have to have a jointing system that is similar to the one Araki designed.

      The legs are held on with elastic that goes through both legs (it shows how that works in this picture)

      [​IMG]
      (image From dollybird 9)

      If my doll turned out good enough, I would want to sell it, but I am afraid of patent/copyright issues.

      I have only seen one other doll with similar jointing. The regular dollfie body, but it is not even strung with elastic. It just has the inner skeleton.

      [​IMG]
      (image from volksusa.com)

      I have had some people tell me that I shouldn't even joint the doll similarly to Arakis, but I want to have the extended range of movement and the aesthetic value too.

      I am trying to think up a design that would not be a blatant copy, but It is hard to do so, because the design is so simple. I wish that I could just contact Araki and ask him what he would think If I used a similar jointing system.

      If anyone knows about patents/copyrights, or how to contact Araki, please post here.
       
      #1 kuroda emi, Jan 22, 2008
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    2. You do not need permission to be inspired by someone's joint design. Making direct copies, however, whether or not you give credit ~ is wrong. Seeing as Araki-san gives a full overview of the process of making Unon in Dollybird 9, it's not like it's a big secret, it is there for all to see.

      I would disagree that the EB bodies look anything like Araki's work, however the SD16 girl has a similar style of hipjoint which was arguably on the market before the Unoa Zero.

      I think you will find once you start sculpting and working on the joint, that there are other options and solutions you could use. Also, I would say that the Unon/Unoa Zero does have a "double butt" when viewed from behind.

      Good luck, hope to see some progress from you soon.
       
      #2 twigling, Jan 22, 2008
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      • x 1
    3. Thanks Twigling! I know that the EB body doesn't look like Araki's work at all! It was just the only doll I had seen with the hips attached through the pelvis.

      Wow! I didnt know that about the SD16 body. (I haven't seen many pictures of it naked) So the SD16's upper body is attached to the lower body, with a hook? (like the Zero, or with a built in resin hook?) cause if the stringing for the legs goes through the pelvis, I think it would have to be the way.

      I was thinking about making a loop out of resin to have the stringing from the upper body to the head go through, but I don't know if It would be strong enough... (that might be the reason Araki used the hook, cause it would be easier to replace a hook then repair a whole resin piece)

      Also, have you had trouble with feet that are attached with a hook? (like the Elfdoll bodies?) cause I have seen some people complaining about the hook coming out... but it gives the foot an extended range of movement...

      sorry for all the questions, and thanks for the input!
       
      #3 kuroda emi, Jan 22, 2008
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    4.  
      #4 whitewings, Jan 22, 2008
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    5. The SD16 is strung the "regular" way, with one elastic for the arms and one for the legs/body. I can't remember if half the elastic goes between the hips instead of back up to the head or not, though.

      To stop the hook coming out, either glue it in or cast it in. If casting it in place, you put the hook in a designated space in the mold and when you pull out the cast the hook is already in. I suggest using hooks that have a "shoulder plate" between the hook part and the hinges, so that the hook can't be pulled out by accident.

      As for making a resin hook, it would probably be strong enough, but at the same time, it's hard to get into that little cavity just to screw the Unon torso hook in, and pretty tricky to string it too (speaking from personal experience, I do have a Unon from the first lottery). A resin hook would be hard to sculpt in place.. and somewhat fragile depending on design, plus it would be hard to mold it in place.

      Although there is no reason why you can't leave the holes from the thigh-sockets to the lower torso open so that (even though you're stringing the legs separately) you don't need a separate hook of metal or resin to attach upper torso and head, instead using the structure and integrity of the lower body to hold that elastic in place.
       
      #5 twigling, Jan 23, 2008
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