User:TimeLord11/Sandbox/Scanning
Scanning is a method for Transformers to change their alternate modes into things native to other planets such as vehicles or animals on Earth.
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.
Fiction
Generation 1 continuity family
None of the various 1980s versions of the Generation One continuity show the original G1-era Cybertronians as capable of either scanning for new altmodes or reformatting themselves without the use of external technology and a drawn-out nuts n' bolts process of physical reconstruction. This technology appears to be standard-issue in ships and various facilities.
Marvel Comics continuity
Four million years ago shortly after the crash of the Ark, the Ark's computer detected Shockwave landing on the planet in the Antarctic land-out-of-time. The Ark used the last of its capabilities to revive five warriors and rebuild them to transform into the Savage Land's dominant lifeforms: dinosaurs. The Last Stand
Subsequently, in 1984 the eruption of the volcano reboots the Ark which sends a drone to scan the area for local life forms which it takes to be terrestrial vehicles. Damaged, the Ark does not distinguish between factions and repairs and rebuilds both Autobots and Decepticons alike with new altmodes. The 'Cons leave soon after. 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.
The Transformers cartoon
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
Dreamwave G1 continuity
Being set quite some time after the initial awakening of the Transformers on modern-day Earth, the scanning and rebuilding process was never really detailed in this continuity, but can be assumed to have been along the lines of the fairly similar classic cartoon and Marvel comic scenarios.
Subsequent arrivals under Shockwave's banner of a unified Cybertron have been reformatted into Earth modes prior to their arrival to the planet. Again, the process is not shown. War and Peace
2005 IDW continuity
Though Cybertronians were capable of scanning a new alternate mode by projecting a beam from their optics, Time Will Rust the restrictive Functionist doctrine of interwar Cybertron meant that this ability went largely unused. Elite Cybertronians who sought to change their alternate modes underwent a process known as "body re-engineering" Post Hoc which could extend to a complete bodily reconstruction. Omega's Conundrum
During the era of the Great War, external machinery for obtaining new alternate modes was largely abandoned, Cybertronians instead using their natural scanning abilities for disguises. Time Will Rust Spotlight: Nightbeat When Cybertronians could not physically an alternate mode themselves, they could upload its schematics to a CR chamber which would reformat them. Spotlight: Shockwave
Following the rebirth of Cybertron and the end of the war, Wheeljack and Shockwave reformatted their respective comrades into new Cybertronian vehicle modes but the specifics of the process were not expanded on. The Autonomy Lesson
Hearts of Steel
It's not fully clear how exactly Cybertronians scan their alternate modes. Bumblebee can, for instance, instantly reformat from his prehistoric beast mode into a nonexistent steamhammer locomotive. Hearts of Steel #1 On the other hand, Starscream and the other Decepticons need plans drawn up by Tobias Muldoon to reformat into flying alternate modes. Hearts of Steel #2
Whether or not Astrotrain is a living Transformer raises even more questions; he's one of several Decepticons to be made or refitted to function as a train. Some Decepticons are also manually refitted to make rail cars for Astrotrain. Hearts of Steel #3
Universe (2008) promotional video
Optimus Prime emits the scanning beam from his optic sensor to scan a truck. Action Blast 1 Part 1
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
Star Trek vs. Transformers
When the Decepticons entered into an alliance with the Klingon Empire, Megatron had Trypticon scan a downed warbird to assimilate its cloaking device into himself. Prime's Directive, Part Two
Transformers/Ghostbusters
When Ectotron and Optimus Prime arrived on Earth, both used Sky Spy technology to scan local vehicles as Terran alternate modes. Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1 Ghosts of Cybertron Part 3
Transformers vs. The Terminator
When the Ark rebooted, a Sky Spy probe was sent out to scan local machinery as new alternate modes for the passengers. When it turned its beam on a commandeered truck, the T-800 at the wheel shot it down. Enemy of My Enemy Part One He later justified this act to Arcee as the probe having also scanned him. Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
Transformers/Back to the Future
After finding himself unable to tolerate Megatron's brutality any longer, Gigawatt trans-scanned the impounded DeLorean time machine, hoping to use its replicated power to alter history and undo his master's reign of terror. Transformers/Back to the Future #2
2019 IDW continuity
Newly forged Cybertronians were born without alternate modes, requiring them to scan one during their rearing. At an alternate mode testing site, Bumblebee offered Rubble the chance to try scanning a few model vehicles only for him to be called away by Windblade, bringing the session to a quick end. The World In Your Eyes Part Three
Beast Era
Protoform Transformers are able to get new alternate modes by using the DNA scanned from the lifeforms of the nearby environments.
Beast Wars cartoon
When in operation, the "scan beam" emitted from the DNA scanners built into Cybertronian ships can analyze DNA data scanned from lifeforms immediately. If the device scans a corpse or fossil, it is able to reconstruct the lifeform's appearance during its lifetime. Examples of this include the alternate modes of Megatron, Dinobot, Terrorsaur, and Nightscream.
Once the scanned DNA data is retrieved, it is sent to CR chambers or CR tanks. The Transformers have to enter the CR chambers or tanks to get their new altmode.
There is also a DNA scanner mounted on each stasis pod in order to get the DNA data from the lifeforms of the planet on which the stasis pod lands. The stasis pod itself then reformats the occupant—or perhaps just "formats", since protoforms are generally considered to be newborns.
Beast Wars II cartoon
Beast Wars II featured the first instance of built-in DNA scanners and self-reformatting technology allowing the Transformers to adopt alternate modes on the spot without the need for external machinery. Only Tasmania Kid is seen using it, The New Forces Arrive! while the Predacons obtained vehicle modes by accessing an ancient computer and scanning the recorded data within it. White Lion, Run!
Beast Machines cartoon
After falling into a hole, Nightscream became unconscious. During that time, a DNA scanner inside his body was activated and scanned the fossils of a big bat once native to Cybertron, giving him a bat alternate mode. Forbidden Fruit He explains to Rattrap that all Cybertronians now have built-in scanners by this slightly later point in history, having been equipped with them in the planet-wide Quantum Cycle Upgrade that evidently occurred after the Axalon and Darksyde crews departed Cybertron for the Beast Wars. Forbidden Fruit
According to Botanica, she and her crew scanned the DNA from the plant on the planet on which she landed. Home Soil
2021 IDW Beast Wars comic
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 causing 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
Movie continuity
2007 Transformers film
Upon being reduced to just a head, Frenzy scanned Mikaela Banes's cell phone to continue his espionage. When the girl in question later questioned why Bumblebee, Mikaela Banes turned into a "piece of crap Camaro", the offended scout promptly scanned a 2009 Camaro. When the rest of Optimus Prime's inner circle arrived on Earth, they all scanned nearby vehicles as their alternate modes. Transformers
Dark of the Moon film
When Megatron called in the Decepticons slumbering on the Moon, one of the force, Garagebot, scanned a garbage truck upon touching down in Washington, D.C.. Dark of the Moon
Age of Extinction film
Bumblebee film
Upon arriving on Earth, Autobot scout B-127 scanned an army jeep to escape the United States Armed Forces before a battle with Blitzwing left him damaged and he scanned a Volkswagen Beetle as he fell into stasis lock. After defeating Shatter and Dropkick, he scanned a Camaro. Bumblebee
IDW movie comics
When reviewing the footage of how N.B.E. 02 had escaped, Sector Seven inferred the existence of the scanning process, deducing that the alien had scanned and mimicked a passing Camaro at his landsite. Movie Prequel #3 When Starscream touched down not long afterwards, he scanned an F-22 before shooting it down. Movie Prequel #4
See also: Trans-scan
Animated continuity family
When Optimus Prime and his crew found themselves on Earth, they sent out a Sky Spy to investigate. Finding that the outside situation needed Autobot help, Prime had the Sky Spy scan nearby vehicles whose form the Autobots assumed after using a reformatting chamber. When Starscream later arrived, he scanned a harrier jet without any external machinery. Transform and Roll Out
When Lugnut and Blitzwing arrived on Earth, the former sought to scan a disguise to search covertly, something his comrade furiously objected to until ordered by Megatron, the two scanning aircraft at a military base. Lost and Found
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 nearby SUV 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
IDW Prime comic
After jumping through a space bridge had brought them to Earth, Arcee and Cliffjumper scanned nearby vehicles. Having followed, Starscream likewise scanned a nearby aircraft. Transformers: Prime
Prime cartoon
A Cybertron's ability to scan new alternate modes was enabled by their transformation cog. Operation Bumblebee, Part 1 When scanning, Cybertronians emitted a green, or blue, beam from their optics which provided them with a complete schematic of their new alternate mode and allowed them to instantly assume it. When scanning vehicles, the scanning process noticeably cause electrical interference. Masters & Students Crisscross Loose Cannons
When Skyquake emerged from stasis lock, he did so bereft of a vehicle mode. Fortunately for him, Agent Fowler's VTOL passed overhead which the Decepticon loyalist quickly scanned. Masters & Students When Fowler and his men had cornered Airachnid, she simply scanned one of their helicopters and escaped. Crisscross When Dreadwing arrived on Earth, he scanned the same VTOL as his brother when the opportunity presented itself. Loose Cannons
During MECH's trails runs at Project Chimera, they had one of their prototypes scan a helicopter. Though the scan was successful, the prototype failed to reconfigure or transform due to MECH not providing the transformation cog with energon. Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
After Optimus Prime was reformatted by the Forge of Solus Prime into a larger body, Agent Fowler provided the Prime with an experimental M.A.S.K.-division vehicle for him to scan. 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
The Bee Team repeated this when visiting the ruins of Autobot Outpost Omega One, History Lessons while Steeljaw's Pack used the trick to pass off as hazardous waste disposal vehicles. Prisoner Principles
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.
