PDA

View Full Version : Design Challenge #5: Espionage



Oneslowz28
02-01-2010, 01:00 AM
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/slaveofconvention/banners/competitions/espionage600x300-6.png

Your mission, should you chose to accept it, is to design a PC case that would be at home in any spys home. You must design a case that would make James Bond, Ethan Hunt, Sidney Bristow, Jack Bauer, Austin Powers and any other spy proud to own. There is one catch though, your design must focus around one of the following cases. Thermaltake's Element T or Thermaltake's V3 Black edition. Additionally there will be bonus points for incorporating the Lite-on 8x Slim External DVD burner into the design.<--break-->

The Situation.

A) Enemy Forces.
Elements of the elite computer modification community TheBestCaseScenario.com are establishing plans and blueprints to ensure their victory. Location unknown, but known sects exist in small pockets through the US, and in global pockets. They are estimated at 80% strength and their morale is improving. They are equipped with rotary pneumatic gear and are capable of employing aerosol weaponry. They will defend their designs at all costs.

B) Friendly forces.
Company G attacks at 010000 Feb. to seize Codename: Framework and Codename: Internals with SketchUp weaponry to fortify our initial attacks. Company A maintains discretion to use Photoshop and Illustrator grenades for combat purposes. CAD artillery and Blender mortar platoons will be available if required. Tactical ground crews MS Paint, BIC Pen, and HED Descrip are first order troops.

The Mission.

Entrant will design a functioning, secret agent themed PC.


Execution.

A) Concept of operation.
As a member of the double agent network, it is your objective to design a functioning, secret agent themed PC in the interest of counterespionage against every other member of TheBestCaseScenario.com. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. We are no longer certain of the loyalty of any of our members, except you. We are challenging all our members to design the best secret agent PC possible in an attempt to test their allegiance to our cause. At 010000 Feb. all preparations and attacks are to commence with full force, and all units are ordered to fire at will. Coordinating instructions, achievements, and supporting units are marked in the dossier. Make sure to mark them before you commence. All objectives must be completed by 14 Mar 2009 at 23:59 hours.

B) Missions for subordinate units.

Judging will be done by a chosen panel of TBCS staff.
Overall aesthetic appeal 20/100
Congruency with secret agent theme 20/100
Unique hardware arrangement 10/100
Creative implementation of sponsored cases unique features 20/100
Quality of presentation 20/100
Incorporation of TBCS tribute 10/100
Bonus points for creative implementation of Lite-on 8x Slim Externa lDVD writer 20/0

C) Coordinating instructions:

Entries will be accepted by registered TBCS members only.
Entries must be submitted by March 14, 2010, at 11:59pm EST.
Project may be a team effort, but achievements will be awarded only to submitting member.
Members may not submit incomplete projects to staff for input during contest.
Design must be a feasible, functioning PC.
All components and materials must be commercially available.
Design must be based around the Thermaltake Element T or the Thermaltake V3 Black Edition.

D) Service support.

Entries may be produced using any medium desired (B&W/color sketch, description, 2D/3D graphic illustration, animation, photographed model, mashed potato sculpture, etc…)
Members may post designs in the forums if so desired.
There are no limitations to cost of building materials or resources.
Challenge is open to TBCS members in the US and Canada ( members from other countries can enter only if they agree to pay for shipping of the prize if they win).
Design components may include elements from anything that a secret agent would use for espionage.
Multiple entries are allowed.

E) Achievements.


http://thebestcasescenario.com/oneslowz28/front_page/contest/elementt.jpg (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1321&ID=1877) First Place

http://thebestcasescenario.com/oneslowz28/front_page/contest/V3-black.jpg (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1308&ID=1913) Second Place

http://thebestcasescenario.com/oneslowz28/front_page/contest/liteon.jpg (http://us.liteonit.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=259&Itemid=87)Third Place


Thermaltake Element T (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1321&ID=1877)
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1308&ID=1913)
Lite-on 8x Slim External DVD Writier (http://us.liteonit.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=259&Itemid=87)

F) Command and Signal


http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/slaveofconvention/banners/competitions/thermaltakelogo.png (http://thermaltakeusa.com)

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/slaveofconvention/banners/competitions/liteonlogo.png (http://us.liteonit.com)


Command. Thermaltake and Lite-on are providing overall command support for this mission. Refer to their product features and usage techniques to attain complete mission completion. We are honored for these command forces to assist with these objectives.
Signal. Current frequencies and call signs will be in effect. All members are to be wished the best of luck and surefootedness of skills in the following endeavors.


End Transmission

Trace
02-01-2010, 01:03 AM
I should be entering in this.
Do we have base sketch-ups of the 2 cases?

Oneslowz28
02-01-2010, 01:04 AM
We do not have sketchup models of the cases. Thats half the fun.

el_magnifico
02-01-2010, 06:16 PM
Well, I don't have any drawings of it, nor would I actually change much on this case...But here goes my entry, at least...pretty short-thought, but I like it like that..


#1..."patch" the side window on the V3

#2...Change all colored fans black

#3...Water-Cool the rig, using the two top vents for one big Rad...with 2 fans per slot, (push and pull) one inside and one outside the case (4 total there)...with a "vented" cover on the two top fans (think louvered windows)...These would bring in cool air from above

#4...Using an SLI/Crossfire MOBO, Stick the video card in the lower PCIE slot and use PCI Slot cooler fans to exhaust (one above, one below) the hot air

#5...Now here is the tricky part...for practicality, this wouldn't make sense, or would require extra/ugly modification but I shall list off my ideas
The case side, which opens like "suicide" doors, would only be accessible via Retina scan/facial recognition....now this is the trick...if the computer fails, the it will not be operable because the side would never open, however, it could be made so that it has its own power input, which can be "piggybacked" off the 120v input to the PSU...this would also require its own built-in software and not directly reliant/responsive on/to the PC at all.

#6...I like the look of the front face, but for super-secret-spy-security, I would have a similar idea to the eye/face scanner...the front face would be covered by "storm shutters" which would be custom-fabbed out of diamond plate, and roll up into the same structure that houses the outer fans on top of the rad. The similarity to the scanner, is that this would only be opened/closed by the use of a fingerprint scanner. Once the security is passed, a servo would "roll" up the "storm shutter" into its casing, which would then allow you to access power/reset/usb stuff...This fingerprint scanner should also be wired (at the same time) to control the power on/off function. This should make sure, then, that once the shutter is closed, it's off and once it's opened, it's on.

#7...Whew...just dove right into this thing and ideas keep poppin' up!!! Since the power button would have no function anymore, I would probably have it just set to "turbo/normal" mode for all fans, which would probably require pairing up with some sort of fan controller

Would be a nightmare sourcing the retinal/facial recognition setup, but would be SOOOOO worth it. I decided to use this for the case side instead of the FP (fingerprint) scanner, because it is harder to fool, and data can easily be ripped off a HD from another pc, more than it can be hacked.

Ok, I don't think I have much else to say here, I might end up having a few pen/paper drawings to upload, but I strongly doubt it...(by the way, I live in Belize, Central America, so if I do end up winning something, I relinquish my prize to the next runner up - I just wanna be able to say that I entered, lol)
EDIT: got an image to upload, but can't figure it out when editing my post, so I'll put it in a new one...

General overview...

Sleek, Stealthy, Tough and Secure.

I hope this suffices as an entry, and I hope to see/hear what you all have to offer out there...I LOVE THESE FORUMS!!!!!!

el_magnifico
02-01-2010, 06:38 PM
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4799/76318329.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/76318329.jpg/) Feel free to ask me anything about the pic, for further explanation....i know, my drawing skills suck major "bonage".

Datech
02-02-2010, 12:07 PM
el_magnifico, you're allowed multiple entries, so if for any reason you get the urge to modify your design, send the final writeup or sketches to contest@thebestcasescenario.com. You might as well keep your secret design a secret so no other spy's counterespionage your work!

pcclan
02-02-2010, 08:48 PM
well guess am in

Luke122
02-03-2010, 01:38 PM
OOhhh... tempting! :D
:D

:D
:D

el_magnifico
02-03-2010, 03:44 PM
el_magnifico, you're allowed multiple entries, so if for any reason you get the urge to modify your design, send the final writeup or sketches to contest@thebestcasescenario.com. You might as well keep your secret design a secret so no other spy's counterespionage your work!

LOL...I think that was my final entry....I'm much more of a technical person...I solve problems...design and art was never EVER one of my strong points....thanks for letting me know where to email it...I will re-submit there. Doubt any of the plans/design for this mod would change...

I shall call it....Knight Rider

Technochicken
02-04-2010, 09:16 PM
I have a question about this part of the requirements:


All components and materials must be commercially available.

Components and materials... Does obtaining raw materials and, say, milling them to a custom shape (in sketchup) count as "commercially available?"

Datech
02-05-2010, 12:37 AM
Does obtaining raw materials and, say, milling them to a custom shape (in sketchup) count as "commercially available?"

Isn't that the point of modding ;)

el_magnifico
02-08-2010, 06:07 PM
Isn't that the point of modding ;)

I concur

Oneslowz28
02-10-2010, 01:30 PM
Come on guys. There has to be more people interested in this than have said.

billygoat333
02-11-2010, 01:52 AM
Im way interested just dont have the time! School is in full swing and being a single parent and having to work all day= no spare time for billy.

Oneslowz28
02-11-2010, 03:29 AM
Well as it stands now even a square box drawn on a used napkin has a pretty good chance to win something since we only have one entry..

billygoat333
02-11-2010, 03:32 AM
haha good point. alright well let me think on it.

el_magnifico
02-11-2010, 06:27 PM
sweet!...lol.....i am in the lead! lmfao.....(i think...)

SXRguyinMA
02-11-2010, 07:57 PM
I'm in, when does it end again?

x88x
02-11-2010, 09:49 PM
I guess I'll throw in too. I was originally thinking I was going to have to build it (which I would have neither the time, money, nor tools to do). Fair warning, it will probably be hand drafted, just because I'm a lot more comfortable with pencils and rulers than SketchUp (heresy, I know :P ). How long is this running?

Oneslowz28
02-11-2010, 10:09 PM
1. Entries will be accepted by registered TBCS members only.
2. Entries must be submitted by March 14, 2010, at 11:59pm EST.
3. Project may be a team effort, but achievements will be awarded only to submitting member.
4. Members may not submit incomplete projects to staff for input during contest.
5. Design must be a feasible, functioning PC.
6. All components and materials must be commercially available.
7. Design must be based around the Thermaltake Element T or the Thermaltake V3 Black Edition.

pcclan
02-11-2010, 10:20 PM
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/spy.png
just a little peak

Technochicken
02-13-2010, 11:57 AM
I am about to send my entry to contest@thebestcasescenario.com, and I would love to attach my sketchup file, but it is about 12 megabytes. Should I attach it to the email, or is there somewhere else I should upload it to, and provide a link to it?

Edit:

Never mind, I managed to cut the size to under 10mb, so I could upload it to Google Warehouse. I've sent it, so I'm in.

Oneslowz28
02-13-2010, 09:32 PM
Can you also send a screen cap of it with an explanation of the unique features?

Technochicken
02-13-2010, 11:12 PM
I did. I sent a link to the model, a link to a virtual tour of it I created an put on youtube, and I included an explanation with some renderings of the model.

el_magnifico
02-16-2010, 12:41 PM
I am about to send my entry to contest@thebestcasescenario.com, and I would love to attach my sketchup file, but it is about 12 megabytes. Should I attach it to the email, or is there somewhere else I should upload it to, and provide a link to it?

Edit:

Never mind, I managed to cut the size to under 10mb, so I could upload it to Google Warehouse. I've sent it, so I'm in.

If there ever is a problem, you could just take .jpg snapshots and use those...i've done it before...(adding comments with mspaint, lol)

Juicebox
02-24-2010, 08:39 PM
I'll give it a shot.

Juicebox
02-25-2010, 01:02 PM
Ok, i have just submitted my entry, I hope it turns out to be a good contest!

Oneslowz28
02-28-2010, 10:10 AM
Keep the entries coming guys!

Trace
03-01-2010, 03:03 AM
I'll get you one soon

Oneslowz28
03-15-2010, 07:42 PM
The contest has ended. Please have all entries submitted by tonight at midnight EST.

x88x
03-15-2010, 07:55 PM
Crap....for some reason I was thinking the deadline was the 23rd...not sure why...dang it, now I'm gonna be obsessing over why the 23rd is important. :facepalm: ....we need to have more contests during the summer. :P

Oneslowz28
03-15-2010, 08:37 PM
We have another one starting in a few weeks. Keep your eyes open for it.

Technochicken
03-16-2010, 08:58 PM
Any hints as to when the results will be revealed, or is it going to be a surprise?

Oneslowz28
03-17-2010, 07:47 AM
Results will be posted Friday night around 9pm est

pcclan
03-19-2010, 11:14 PM
were are the results ???????????????

Trace
03-20-2010, 12:52 AM
The judging is going on tonight--They should be up by morning

Oneslowz28
03-20-2010, 01:14 AM
I apologize for the delay in the results. They will be posted by noon tomorrow.

Technochicken
03-21-2010, 04:39 PM
Any more word on this?

Oneslowz28
03-22-2010, 10:31 AM
Sorry for the delay guys. One of the Judging panel members was unable to cast his vote until late last night. I need the winners to please email me their complete shipping address with contact phone number so we can get these prizes shipped out.

Congrats to our winners.
1st Technochicken - Thermaltake Element T
2nd Pcclan - Thermaltake V3 black edition
3rd Juicebox - Lite on Slim External DVD Drive
Honorable Mention El-magnifico - Special Prize from TBCS

We would like to thank Thermaltake (http://thermaltakeusa.com) and Lite On (http://http://us.liteonit.com) for sponsoring this contest.

Keep your eyes open for our next contest which is going to be sponsored by NZXT (http://nzxt.com).

We would like to ask that everyone post their entries in this thread now so everyone can see what they looked like. Thanks.

Technochicken
03-22-2010, 06:20 PM
Here is my entry to the contest:

This design is based of the Thermaltake V3 Black Edition case.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5889/sketchup1.jpg
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/2473/sketchup2.jpg

I spy a TBCS logo in there!

Turned off, the computer's front panel will be flush with the wall. To turn it on, the user must first press his/her hand against the hand scanning panel on the bottom of the front panel. If the user is verified, their face will then be captured by the rotating camera in front drive bays. If the user passes this test as well, the computer will extend from it's recess in the wall by way of hydraulic arm fixed to an aluminum frame reinforcing the side of the case, and then boot up for use. This system protects the data on the computer, as well as the components of the computer itself. When the computer is not in use, it is recessed within the wall, so none of the hardware can be accessed or tampered with.

Rotating camera in drive bays:

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3747/cameraq.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3015/front1j.jpg

Note: the top and side of the case are only removed to display the hardware inside.

Hand scanning panel cane be seen protruding from the front of the case so it does not impede airflow:

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1218/side1i.jpg

Frame and hydraulic arm supporting the case:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5286/arm1d.jpg

The computer's display, a 27:, 16:9 LCD, is mounted on an arm to the side of the case. It is adjustable in every direction, and when the computer is non in use, it is folded up so it is flush with the case.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9863/totalrender3.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3950/total6.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/8675/total5.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5444/total4.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7407/arm3ii.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6470/arm2h.jpg



The LiteOn DVD drive is mounted flush with the side of the 5.25" drive bays.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/285/liteon1.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1213/insiderender2.jpg


The 4 solid state drives in the computer are mounted horizontally, so that their connectors face towards the back side of the case. This way, the cables can easily be routed behind the motherboard tray and out of sight.


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/984/inside4.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/9173/insiderender1.jpg


I created a virtual tour of of the case by recording within Kerkythea Rendering system. Here it is, in up to full 1080p if you have the bandwidth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV2-MrcRSWE


Also, here is a slightly cut down version of the sketchup model I created for this (I had to reduce the size to 10mb, so some things were removed)

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=1613530eb31b2448fa1881f1b319166e



Thanks to the TBCS staff for this awesome contest! It was a ton of fun, especially all the coded stuff at the beginning. I can't wait to see everyone else's entries.

msmrx57
03-22-2010, 08:34 PM
Congrats! Very cool design. :up: :banana:

pcclan
03-23-2010, 11:36 PM
mac computer when you have the pen in the hostler the doors slide open and the top goes up and the back panel slides down and to use the computer a special combination of buttons is needed
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/computer3.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/computer2.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/computer1.jpg

x88x
03-24-2010, 12:46 AM
Heheh, niice. Ohh, for even more change, the iMac (assuming latest generation) could automatically switch from displaying the iMac's interface to being a third (primary) monitor for the desktop behind it.

pcclan
03-25-2010, 12:16 AM
true

Technochicken
05-27-2010, 04:41 PM
Now that people are getting the prizes from the most recent contest, is there any word on these prizes?

Oneslowz28
05-27-2010, 07:16 PM
You still have not received your prizes?

I will call Thermaltake first thing in the morning.

Technochicken
05-27-2010, 09:23 PM
No, I have not. Do you know if pcclan has gotten his?

Oneslowz28
05-27-2010, 10:08 PM
I do not.

I am so sorry for this guys. I dunno why TT has not shipped the prizes yet. Rest assured that I am doing everything in my power to find out why they have not shipped yet.

Technochicken
05-28-2010, 06:45 PM
Good news, I just got the case! I'm about to build it up.

pcclan
05-31-2010, 08:26 PM
here's what it looked like when i got it
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0064.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0065.jpg
here is it opened
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0067.jpg
here it is out of the box
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0068.jpg
here it is with the plastic still on
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0070.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0071.jpg
here it is with the plastic off
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0073.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0074.jpg
here's the inside of it with the psu dust filter not attached
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/cheryl_hot/IMG_0075.jpg