[Scratch Build] ZOTAC "Valentine" ZBOX

Discussion in 'Die-hard Overclocking & Case Modifications' started by Shuper' Luu', Feb 5, 2013.

  1. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Welcome,

    Valentine
    I’d contact ZOTAC with the idea to build one custom scratch case for one ZBOX with a very especial theme. In less that 2 days they accept the idea and they’d choose one ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS. This project will be simple, thematic and well documented. More that the review of the case, till 14 of February of 2013 only small teasers will be showed, after that the topic will start having full worklog, with EN videos of all the process (we’re Portuguese, that’s way I’m referring it) of all the process, a little like our BlackStorm H406, but this time in full EN and with different type of episodes (with tips and little talk on the build).
    I want to thank here to Patricia Igual from ZOTAC Espanha and to Christopher Dean from Imacula PR for all they help and to make this possible.

    Features
    # Main colors, white and red
    # Structure multi layer of acrylic
    # Thematic Lighting
    # Unique design and stunning look when power on
    # Subtle look, nice concordances and little details

    Ideas
    # Build a simple case and thematic
    # Extended videolog
    # Be good looking to female eyes
    # Vertical support matching the theme
    # Study cooling to not heat more on the new case, trying even to make it better


    Hardware
    # ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS

    Software
    # Windows 7

    Coldware

    Worklog
    [color=#0080FF]Intro[/color]

    Videolog

    Sponsors
    Zotac

    How to follow the project?
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Youtube
    Skype: modaafoca
    Messenger: modding@modaafoca.com
    Main worklog : (Portuguese) http://modaafoca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1561
     
  2. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Welcome to the first Teaser!

    Isn't the case spectacularly small and cute?

    The worklog will have 7 videos (6 at 720p of videolog and one final one at 1080p), are you ready?
     
  3. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Hello,

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    Today Sneak Peek!
     
  4. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Today Sneak Peek, with me cutting the first acrylic part on that big sheet of white 3mm acrylic!
     

  5. scoter man1

    scoter man1 Ancient Guru

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    I feel like you shoulda been wearing glasses.
     
  6. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Indoor lighting if i use glasses i can't see the lines, it was filming or extra protection, and the public won. But as you will see after on video, there is a way to cut against the flow of acrylic, like in a "safe zone".

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    Hi,

    Happy V-day everyone!

    Link to video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DsbBWX8ggBU

    On this first episode/letter we will intro the project, show how we start, the idea and a little more, it's a intro video. After you see the video, here are the photos,


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    First thing was with cardboard, pen and calculator start making the samples for cuts, before we had the ZBOX,

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    I'd use simple cardboard red and yellow,

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    The ZBOX is really little, this is it next to one phone "sock" of Bart. The yellow and red even match hehe

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    Netbook with Solidworks helping, always,

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    The little 720p webcam that help on the videos,

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    The DREMEL and hand fills i'd use. This kind of mods don't ask for big machines,

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    Always with ZOTAC HAND helping on the manual work,

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    The white acrylic 3mm, that will be the main case element.


    Next Episode: Open your Heart
     
  7. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Open your Heart

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    Hi,

    Video 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nqZHdpUBC0

    Welcome to second episode of Valentine project, Open your Heart. On this episode we will do unboxing of the ZBOX, open everything, analyse and discuss some of the things. After some measures and decisions, we cut some parts of the stock case that were necessary.

    After see the video, lets go to some photos we had take at this phase,

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    First four episodes we're made here, as mainly of the case. With the help of mine DREMEL and fillings, ACER notebook and the 720p webcam,

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    Everything that were inside the box of ZBOX,

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    Frontal and Read views of nano XS AD11. You can see the power on button, the audio/micro on front and there is 2x USB 3.0 in the back, always subtle.

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    Black gloss mirror top,

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    Remember milka from the first teaser?

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    Almost everything out, memory and SSD and close up on cooling. The out/in take of the air have to be done the same way on the build of the case,

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    All the cardboard, plus main strucural pieces and the two side panels,

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    I had to take out the for nuts on the top panel, easy, fast but necessary on the new case,

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    On the "ring" metal part, i'd to take out the for supports with a saw blade, because DREMEL don't fit there,

    What are you thinking, is it VALENTINE?


    Next Letter: Cardboard Heart

    Remember to follow us!
     
  8. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Hi,

    Video 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHWK9SQg9aQ

    Welcome to third episode!

    On this episode we will only talk about the cardboard used as samples, they we're central on this project and projects like this, with direct modeling.


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    The two main pieces, ZBOX and the heart.

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    All shapes together, not couting with the little ones on the air zones.

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    And now, can we compare it to a cap?

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    The basic heart shape on the big acrylic sheet.

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    First step, draw the model on the acrylic, with a fine pen.

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    Photos of the cuts of the first side panel, usind DREMEL and one reforced disk.

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    One of this photos already had been a sneak peek! And one close up now maybe?

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    The ZBOX frame on the main heart shape and the basic multi layer samples. What you think?


    Next episode: 4# Letter - Cut and Bond
     
  9. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Hi,

    Vídeo 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldOofrQS5EQ

    Maybe the most wanted episode of all, we will on this episode make the cuts and glue the case. Are you ready?

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    The basic heart shape over the big acrylic sheet,

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    To make the two side panels equal, nothing best that fill and grid till they match. With the help of a black pen is easy to know where to fill.

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    The multi layer parts of the bottom zone, and the ZBOX there,

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    Photos of the paiting of the main frame in red,

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    All the pieces together, with the plastic protection on. It start taking shape,

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    We start gluing for the bottom. Do it look good?
     
  10. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Bottom zone done, with zone to intake.

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    The the top pieces of the multi layer enter the mod,

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    Now the exaust zone on the top,

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    Isn't ZBOX really little?

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    The heart on the side panel, best result of a fake competition ever hehe

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    The modding HQ during the process. You can see the glass of skill stills there,

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    Time to get ZBOX ready for it final position, and to finalize it main frame.

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    Time to wash the case, to take out particles and work dust.

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    The final two parts over the red acrylic for the final piece, isn't it pretty?

    Now is time to fill and grid, and grid and grid a lot.

    Next Episode: 5# Letter - Heartshape Tech
     

  11. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Hi,

    Vídeo 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYmAJAfdzuY

    Ready to see the ZBOX on the new case turning on? And see the result of the assembly?

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    The ZBOX already on the case, but it had go one more time to paiting.

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    Here she is next to the new feet, last bond ready!

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    One sneak on the top of the case,

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    The left side panel of the Valentine case,

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    The back, have to glue the feet and fill the case one last time, almost ready!

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    Two not final photos of the case, to see how it look with more lightning and with the foot on.


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    Turn ON by HDMI to a small TV. Till i know the TV color where the ZBOX will be used, the remote stays black.

    What's you opinion? One thanks episode lasting, one final video and the awesome final photos. In LOVE?

    Next episode: In the end, Love is all that matters
     
  12. scoter man1

    scoter man1 Ancient Guru

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    It almost reminds me of the way the original wii's stand was. Definitely a cool little mod man.
     
  13. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Thanks Scoter! I'm sad people here at Guru3D had comment so little, and the project worklog is reaching the end.

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    Hi,

    Welcome to the sixth video episode of project Valentine. This is almost end video with thanks and some words, before the final worklog post with the final video and final photos.

    Vídeo 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A93ZZYsV18A

    Big thanks to ZOTAC for making this possible, to Patricia Igual and Christopher Dean, and to all of you that followed the project,

    Any ideia of improvemnt/evolve to one next project say it and see you on the next mod!
     
  14. scoter man1

    scoter man1 Ancient Guru

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    I have no idea why no one else commented. I click on every mod I see just to see what people do. I guess throwing some water cooling and GTX Titans in something will draw some people, if you plan on doing something crazy :nerd:
     
  15. L3p

    L3p Guest

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    A real sweety :)
     

  16. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Welcome to the last episode of Valentine, the cuttest nano ZBOX.

    Final Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a0uuF6aSZQ

    To finish the project, one special shoot and a very special video. I let you with the final album of the last photos, on a garden.

    To all mine big thanks, here are the photos so you dazzle,

    VALENTINE
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  17. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Modder vs Mod
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  18. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    And this was Valentine, the cuttest nano ZBOX. Hope you had like, shortly i will redo the first post on all foruns worklog, videolog and link to download all the episodes at the original 720p.
     
  19. Shuper' Luu'

    Shuper' Luu' Guest

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    Hi guys!

    With Valentines day tomorrow, im posting to remember you that tech and love can walk side by side, like this mod! :D wish you all Happy V-Day!
     
  20. Sycuss_MoO

    Sycuss_MoO Guest

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    I like it. Have you thought filing the thicker parts to give it the look of a single peice of acrylic? I too am wishing people were more verbal when it comes to writing comments in project logs. Tons of veiws with little to no replys back. Im curious when you wer cutting the plastic how did you keep it from cracking? Im having to cut out 3 120mm circles tonight. Just was hoping for some assistance.

    Very nice job.
     

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