User:Locoman/Sandbox
Transformers are a naturally chameleonic species, capable of changing from robot mode to alternate mode but their penchant for operating undercover while on other worlds means that Cybertronians must be able to assume the shape of machines or creatures from other worlds. This is achieved through Scanning, or trans-scanning, the method by which Transformers can assume a suitable new alternate mode.
Although the "original" or "Cybertronian" altmodes of the characters prior to scanning and reformatting are not always shown, they generally tend to be something roughly similar in size, form and function to their new mode (i.e. flyers tend to become planes, Cybertronian tanks become Earth tanks and small fast-moving land vehicles become sports cars or cheetahs), etc. This suggests that in most continuities the scanning process involves attempting to find the most similar compatible altmode available. Whether this makes the following reconstruction process easier or is merely a concession to the individual Cybertronian's personal preference is unknown.
They also have a funny tendency to be the same colors each time...[1]
Conceptual history
The earliest Transformers stories, including the cartoon, comic, and various ancillary storybooks, depicted transformation not as an innate ability of the species; rather, it was portrayed as a sort of "upgrade" that allowed a Cybertronian to transform. As a result, the process of "scanning" as it is understood today did not exist per se in these early stories; rather, Transformers who wished to adopt a new shape would have to be manually rebuilt, generally involving a variety of shipboard facilities to do so. In some tales, such as "Battle for Cybertron," Cybertronians did not transform at all until their rebuilding at the hands of the Ark's repair protocols after crash-landing on Earth, an unexpected side-effect.
It was the Beast Wars cartoon that first detailed a specific mechanism by which a Transformer could change their alternate mode: the usage of DNA scanners that allowed the various Maximals and Predacons to adopt the forms of native organisms while marooned on prehistoric Earth. Similarly to the Generation 1 cartoon, this process also required the usage of external hardware, in this case, a shipboard CR chamber. The sequel series, Beast Machines, would lay the groundwork for the finalization of this concept through the character of Nightscream, revealed in the episode "Survivor" to have directly integrated all of the necessary hardware directly into his chassis—the in-universe explanation being that this was a product of the "Quantum Cycle Upgrade" that occurred while Optimus Primal and company were away from Cybertron. With this, Nightscream could directly scan any compatible lifeform and instantaneously make the necessary alterations to his body, though this ability was never displayed on-screen as a result of him becoming a technorganic shortly thereafter. Japanese-original Beast Era fiction would follow through on this idea, unanimously depicting their casts of characters as able to pick up new altmodes "on the fly."
The next series, Robots in Disguise, would take the concept to its logical conclusion by unanimously depicting all Transformers as having this built-in ability. It is in this form that the concept of "scanning" has more-or-less persevered into the present day.
Fiction
Generation 1 continuity family
Marvel Comics continuity
Four million years ago after the crash of the Ark, the ship's computer detected Shockwave landing in Antarctica, in the remote region known as the Savage Land. The Ark thus used the last of its power to rouse five warriors, and rebuilt them so that they could transform into the dinosaurs native to the primordial landscape. The Last Stand
In 1984 the eruption of the volcano rebooted the Ark's systems, prompting it to send a drone to scan for signs of life. Unable to distinguish Autobot from Decepticon—and mistaking humanity's vehicles for the dominant lifeform—rebuilt both Autobots and Decepticons with new alternate modes so that they would be able to blend in with other Earth machines. The Transformers
Later stories would refer to new arrivals to Earth having to take on new "Terran" altmodes, but the process was generally glossed over.
Cartoon continuities
The Transformers aboard the Ark were damaged and went into stasis lock after the Ark crashed into Mount St. Hilary. Four million years passed and then in 1984 volcanic activity stirred the half-buried Ark awakening Teletraan I, the computer system aboard. Teletraan I sent out a Sky Spy satellite to reconnoiter the new world and scanned terrestrial machinery in order to repair the Transformers and reformat them into new altmodes. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
Beast Era
Three hundred years after the conclusion of the Great War, the descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons were known to use DNA scanners while on other worlds to blend in with the native lifeforms. These devices analyzed and copied the genetic material of native wildlife, and the Transformer in question could then use a CR chamber to adopt a potential beast mode based on the indigenous fauna. Beast Wars (Part 1) These creatures did not have to be living; DNA scanners could also extract a sufficient amount of data from inorganic remains such as fossils. Beast Wars (Part 1) Survivor In Darkest Knight
The scanning process was known to play an integral part in the creation and activation of new Transformers; the stasis pods that housed newborn protoforms during offworld expeditions were equipped with a built-in DNA scanner. Once a pod had touched down on a planet, the scanner would immediately attempt to locate a nearby animal and copy its characteristics onto its protoform occupant to bring the Transformer to life. The Spark Spider's Game
During the Quantum Cycle Upgrade, which took place while Optimus Primal and his crew were off-planet fighting the Beast Wars on prehistoric Earth, DNA scanners were directly integrated into the bodies of all Maximals, allowing Cybertronians to adopt new beast modes without the need for stasis pods or CR chambers. Survivor Botanica and her crew of explorers used these new DNA scanners to blend in with the lifeforms on a distant world of ambulatory plants. Home Soil
Shortly after Megatron and his Vehicons invaded Cybertron, the young Maximal Nightscream knocked himself unconscious after fleeing into the depths of Cybertron and falling into a fossil chamber, and his onboard DNA scanner somehow activated and scanned the bones of an extinct bat-like creature. Survivor
Blackarachnia was later able to return Silverbolt to his old self, breaking Jetstorm's shell program in the process, by forcing the Vehicon general to scan a fossilized bird while submerging him in liquid from Cybertron's organic core. In Darkest Knight
Thousands of years in the future, all Transformers would come to possess a set of optical DNA scanners and bodies that coiuld instantly adapt to new alternate modes, be they organic creatures or more conventional machinery. During the Maximal-Predacon conflict on the post-apocalyptic planet Gaia, Tasmania Kid accidentally scanned a Tasmanian devil shortly after landing, The New Forces Arrive! while the Predacons were able to obtain suitable vehicular modes by accessing an ancient computer and downloading information on the dead civilization's machines. White Lion, Run!
2005 IDW continuity
The process by which most Transformers alter their vehicle modes is not well understood, but a handful of sources have suggested that the Cybertronians do have the ability to obtain a new shape through projecting optical beams; the Autobot Jazz was one such Transformer Time Will Rust, while the Maximal Centurion was also shown to be able to independently modify his body without the need for a physical rebuild. Hearts of Steel #1
Other arrivals on Earth, such as Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Hot Rod mentioned having been "modified" to possess new Earth-based alternate modes. Esclation #1 Other Cybertronians, such as the Dynobots, utilized a CR chamber to take on dinosaur modes, but as these forms required additional modifications to survive on the energon radiation-infused prehistoric Earth, this may have been an out-of-the-ordinary procedure. Spotlight: Shockwave
In some situations, adopting a new alternate mode may be synonymous with adopting an entirely new body, discarding the old body while the spark, transformation cog, and brain module are uploaded into an entirely new, custom-built form. Megatron was one such Cybertronian who underwent several such upgrades. Before the Dawn
Hearts of Steel
After awakening on Earth in the mid-1800s, the Autobot Bumblebee displayed the ability to instantly reformat himself from a prehistoric beast mode into a fanciful steam locomotive. Hearts of Steel #1 On the other hand, Starscream and the other Decepticons required plans drawn up by Tobias Muldoon to reformat into flying alternate modes, while Hearts of Steel #2 several other Decepticons were manually refitted into a set of rail cars. Hearts of Steel #3
In the present day, Bumblebee would later scan a military Humvee while trying to infiltrate a Skylogic Systems facility. The X-Files: Conspiracy
Universe (2008) promotional video
Optimus Prime emits the scanning beam from his optic sensor to scan a truck. Action Blast 1 Part 1
2001 Robots in Disguise cartoon
Skid-Z was able to scan Auggie Cahnay's racing car and reformat after arriving on Earth using a built-in scanner. The scan also seemed to pick up parts of Auggie Cahnay's personality causing him to experience the urge to enter races. Skid Z's Choice Stasis pods with in-built scanners also appeared in the series enabling the Predacons to select alternate modes which the contained protoforms would take. In the case of Scourge the scan beam took in a fuel tanker, Optimus Prime and Kelly, which caused Scourge's robot mode to bear a resemblance to Optimus and adding a human tinge to his bio-signature. The Decepticons
Unicron Trilogy
Upon arriving on Earth, both Autobots and Decepticons display the ability to scan and reformat for new alt modes without requiring the aid of any external reconfiguration technology. Metamorphosis When the Unicron Singularity was threatening the universe, Transformers even displayed the ability to scan multiple alternate modes in addition to the one they chose for themselves, storing the data on other vehicles and passing it on to other Transformers to scan. Scanning didn't even require the presence of the actual vehicle—a mere photograph or illustration of the vehicle would do. Fallen
Live-action film series
Trans-scanning is the mechanical process by which a Transformer's built-in sensors choose and examine a new alternate mode, immediately generating a new exostructure around the ultra-dense liquid metal that makes up the core of each Cybertronian. Upon arriving on a new world, Transformers will immediately begin searching for compatible machinery to copy, choosing a new form appropriate to its body mass and locale. In some cases, a protoform may have to absorb extra minerals from their surroundings in order to create sufficient mass, or sacrifice some of their own weapons if no minerals are available. Transformers: The Movie Guide
The trans-scanning process replicates every last detail of a Cybertronian's shape, including rust and faded paintwork when imitating old or run-down vehicles. Transformers Bumblebee At the same time, however, Cybertronians do have the ability to control, at least in part, the nature of their disguise, and have been known to alter the paint jobs or appearances of their new vehicle modes from the template from which they were scanned. Age of Extinction Additionally, every Cybertronian maintains a stored "databank" of previously adopted forms in their system, allowing them to assume them again if the need arises without the need to scanning. Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday
Some Transformers, like Frenzy, Skids, and Mudflap, have been noted to possess a specific aptitude for changing disguises. Frenzy, for instance, is specifically noted to possess a "hyper-reactive" trans-scanning and reformatting processor, which allows him to transform into anything at any given moment. Given the incredible ease and fluidity in changing forms that Transformers in thiscontinuity family display, it's not particularly clear what this entails, or how it distinguishes them from other Cybertronians. Transformers: The Movie Guide
Animated
In the Animated universe Optimus Prime and his crew use a Sky Spy-type probe from their ship to scan new alt modes for them which they are then very quickly reformatted into by taking turns stepping inside a device similar to a CR chamber.
However, upon arriving on Earth the Decepticons Starscream, Lugnut and memorably Blitzwing are capable of scanning new altmodes directly from their own bodies and immediately reformatting themselves without any such chamber, although the actual reformatting is not shown onscreen. This may suggest that while Animated Decepticons appear to have the ability to scan and reformat themselves unaided, Animated Autobots apparently do not. Transform and Roll Out
When Megatron rebuilds himself with the assistance of Sari Sumdac's AllSpark-powered key he is reconstituted with a newly reformatted helicopter-altmode body straight away rather than in his original body which had a Cybertronian jet-altmode. He had presumably scanned the design while his disembodied head still had access to Issac Sumdac's computers.
In a similar vein, mere moments after upgrading himself Soundwave was capable of transforming into a brand-new vehicle mode without any scanning whatsoever. Wreck-Gar also went through the same process as he could also transform into a vehicle mode without having done a single scan beforehand.
Shattered Glass
After arriving Earth and finding Soundwave in stasis lock, Heatwave reactivated the systems and the on-board scanner of Soundwave's stasis pod. It scanned a familiar vehicle nearby for Soundwave and reactivated him. The Desert Heat!
Aligned continuity family
Aligned novels
Scanning new vehicle modes based on the current locale is not something that every Cybertronian enjoys; some pride themselves on retaining the same vehicle form that they have had since learning to assume it. During his stay on Junkion Prowl briefly contemplated scanning a new vehicle mode to better suit the treacherous terrain of the junk planet but ultimately decided against it. Exiles
Prime cartoon
For some reason that has yet to be explained, many Cybertronians seem to lose the ability to assume a vehicle form after arriving on Earth. While they are perfectly functional in robot mode their inability to transform into an alternate mode puts them at a disadvantage regarding mobility, though there are some exceptions. However, Cybertronians are readily capable of scanning local vehicles for alternate modes. This appears as the Cybertronian in question shooting what appears to be green or blue beams from their eyes. The beams scan the vehicle which even appears to cause some electrical interference as well providing the Cybertronian with a complete schematic of their chosen vehicle after which they can immediately transform into said vehicle.
Curiously, Cybertronians here seem to display kibble that hints to an Earth-based vehicle mode before they actually scan one.
Agent Fowler has inadvertently provided some Decepticons their new vehicle modes with the vehicle he's currently riding in much to his irritation. Masters & Students Crisscross Loose Cannons
A Transformer's scanning ability is enabled by their transformation cog component. Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
Optimus Prime scanned a new alternate mode that would better integrate his new jetpack. The vehicle chosen by Agent Fowler was an experimental M.A.S.K.-division vehicle. Project Predacon
Rescue Bots cartoon
Upon arriving on Earth, Optimus Prime provided the members of Rescue Force Sigma-17 with a choice of vehicle modes based on the native machinery. After choosing their new alternate modes, the members of the force immediately assumed alternate form and began to integrate into human society. Family of Heroes After some time on Earth, Optimus Prime instructed Heatwave on how to gain a third form which involved intense concentration and focusing a lot of energy, a process Optimus described as “an ordeal” in which few succeeded on their first try. It involved a form of prone meditation so deep that Heatwave was apparently unable to hear an embarrassing conversation going on right next to him. When his energy focusing was complete his Rescue Bot insignia glowed blue similar to when using energize tools and he himself glowed briefly. It glowed blue again when he scanned a fireboat and he told Blades that he was still exhausted later that day or a day or two later. He also told him that Blades would not be allowed to attempt to scan a third form, since Heatwave did it only with Optimus' permission and help. Changes In accordance with uniqueness decay however, Optimus later scanned Trex to gain a Dinobot form without the same fanfare being given to the difficulty of scanning a third form, Land Before Prime and in order to test a cure for Optimus' rampaging dino mode on himself Boulder scanned a third form with only a few moments of focusing and no apparent fatigue. Big Game When Quint Quarry demanded more dinobots in addition to Boulder and Optimus, Heatwave gained a fourth form and Chase and Blades scanned third modes all with no apparent preparation or fatigue. The process did strain Blades' T-cog to the point that it was several hours before he could use it again, though this strain was attributed partially to the bio-organic nature of the new forms they'd scanned. Quarry's Quarry
2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon
After arriving on Earth, Strongarm and Sideswipe scanned new vehicle modes at Denny Clay's scrapyard. Noticeably, Fixit and Grimlock did not adopt compatible Earth forms possibly due to personal preferences or physical limitations. Pilot (Part 2)
Most, but not all of the Decepticon fugitives aboard the Alchemor also chose to scan new alternate modes while hiding out on Earth.
While training in the Realm of the Primes Optimus Prime learned how to control and fine-tune the scanning process so that he could merely adopt one characteristic of an appropriate vehicle. While searching for a Decepticon in the Arctic members of the Bee Team scanned suitable camouflage from a nearby truck Overloaded, Part 2 and during the trip south they adopted desert camouflage by scanning an offroad jeep. Cover Me
History Lessons Prisoner Principles Freedom Fighters
See also: Electronic paint job, Camouflage paint
Notes
- In an advertisement of PSX version of Beast Wars: Transformers in the United Kingdom Cheetor grabs and scans a cheetah by the scan beam emitted from his optics.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Scan (スキャン skyan)
References
- ↑ Animated is one of the first continuities to show multiple cases of characters scanning Earth altmodes with explicitly different (i.e. more "realistic") coloration or paintwork and yet having their reformatted bodies stick with their original deco schemes instead of conforming to the scanned example. Lugnut, Blitzwing, Starscream and Bulkhead all do this which is particularly odd in the last case since the mudflap rather seems to be using Hound's deco which is based on a vintage U.S. Army Jeep. Mind you, the idea goes all the way back to "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1" in which an orange tractor trailer was scanned for Optimus Prime and yet he retained his red and blue coloration.
Toys
Trans-Scanning
Japanese-only releases, these figures are spindly skeletons referred to as "Core Bodies". To these skeletons, two sets of armor pieces can be attached to create one of two forms for either character: their protoform mode or their Earth mode.
The Scan Series
Exclusive to Toys"R"Us' Mission Earth, these redecoes represent each character trans-scanning their vehicle mode. As such, nearly all of their vehicle mode parts (and thus, most of their robot modes) are cast in translucent clear plastic, with the rear of their vehicle modes being left unpainted, their middle portions having painted scan lines, and their fronts having a heavy amount of paint operations in order to cover the clear plastic.
Notes
See also: Scanning
