Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it
- Thread starter tubachris85x
- Start date
tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
Just wanted to let everyone know, that amongst my other smaller projects, that I have not forgotten about this one bit. I think I remember saying this before, but I'll say it again. My biggest issue with this, is really having the time and space to work on this.
Im sure most of you have some sort of working area, which is usually designated and pretty much a permanent type of set up, or whatever. However, where I was able to early on in the project, Ive sinced moved, and have to be considerate to my house/roomates, and dont have such a space. For one, I will usually use the garage, however, my roomates for about 95% of the time keep both cars in there, and no space to work. second, Ive used the driveway once, but recieved flak for sawdust from sanding, same thing for the backyard as well. Im not trying to make excusess for the lack of progress, but Ive been reduced to much smaller projects that you may see, only because of they are much smaller, and leave very little dust or a mess. Even then, I still get alot of backlash, from them telling me "that I shouldnt be working on this kind of stuff at all," and for some reason get blamed for high electric bills because of my vac-former oven...when I havent even used it at all that month, let alone, a few months of not even using it.
I honestly believe I'll be able to get more work done this summer. I will not be going to basic until next summer (Going combat engineers
) but this summer, I'll be stayin up here by myself for summer classes, and will NOT have to worry about others in the house except for me.
I still have alot of things on my mind about this, such as starting the chest and finishing that damn shoulder bell mold. I need to also create ROTJ style TK because of the clearification of having the actual 3d game model.
I apologize once again, for the lack of progress, but Im going to make my best effort to use my time up here during the summer. Thanks
-tubachris
Im sure most of you have some sort of working area, which is usually designated and pretty much a permanent type of set up, or whatever. However, where I was able to early on in the project, Ive sinced moved, and have to be considerate to my house/roomates, and dont have such a space. For one, I will usually use the garage, however, my roomates for about 95% of the time keep both cars in there, and no space to work. second, Ive used the driveway once, but recieved flak for sawdust from sanding, same thing for the backyard as well. Im not trying to make excusess for the lack of progress, but Ive been reduced to much smaller projects that you may see, only because of they are much smaller, and leave very little dust or a mess. Even then, I still get alot of backlash, from them telling me "that I shouldnt be working on this kind of stuff at all," and for some reason get blamed for high electric bills because of my vac-former oven...when I havent even used it at all that month, let alone, a few months of not even using it.
I honestly believe I'll be able to get more work done this summer. I will not be going to basic until next summer (Going combat engineers
) but this summer, I'll be stayin up here by myself for summer classes, and will NOT have to worry about others in the house except for me.I still have alot of things on my mind about this, such as starting the chest and finishing that damn shoulder bell mold. I need to also create ROTJ style TK because of the clearification of having the actual 3d game model.
I apologize once again, for the lack of progress, but Im going to make my best effort to use my time up here during the summer. Thanks
-tubachris
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ShatirLavan
Active Hunter
Apology accepted, Captain Tuba.
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Mercke Lutso
Hunter
I've been laying off my progress updates for months. I feel bad about it, but I think it's best to take your time if it will increase your craftsmanship.
For instance, I've been working on a custom DL-44 for two years and counting, and I only just finished it yesterday. And IMO it was worth the time to make it look this good.
I think most of the people around here feel the same way, so don't sweat it.
For instance, I've been working on a custom DL-44 for two years and counting, and I only just finished it yesterday. And IMO it was worth the time to make it look this good.
I think most of the people around here feel the same way, so don't sweat it.
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tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
That might be true, but I still have this sense of guilt for whenever I dont work on it...
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tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
I got an idea while in the shower this morning...I want to take a different route with the helmet. Since trying to vac-form the back piece is a pain, I think I could actually make it more accurate through this method..
What I basically want to do, is put what I have together already, the dome, face and the back piece buck I have. I'll attach it all together. What I'll do is then start to accurize the face and ears and such by adding clay and sorta sculpting. Theres alot of details the resemble a regualr TK helmet obviously, but these details on the DT helmet are blown out of proportion and just make it different.
From this, after its all finished and I think its somewhat decent, I'll use brush on silicone and create a mold and what not. Im going to try my hands at slush casting with some liquid plastic. This should work, and might actually be better in the long run.
Does anyone have a good source for reasonably priced sculpting clay? Thanks!
-tubachris
What I basically want to do, is put what I have together already, the dome, face and the back piece buck I have. I'll attach it all together. What I'll do is then start to accurize the face and ears and such by adding clay and sorta sculpting. Theres alot of details the resemble a regualr TK helmet obviously, but these details on the DT helmet are blown out of proportion and just make it different.
From this, after its all finished and I think its somewhat decent, I'll use brush on silicone and create a mold and what not. Im going to try my hands at slush casting with some liquid plastic. This should work, and might actually be better in the long run.
Does anyone have a good source for reasonably priced sculpting clay? Thanks!
-tubachris
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tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
Alright, just quickly whipped this up. Just to help me and show you basically what I need to do to accurize the helmet. I pulled these reference shots from the 3d model just now.
Now here's my very rough and very quick MS paint over my FX face. Just showing what I need to do to it with the clay.
Same thing for this angle too
There are some subtle details that were only visible to me only after getting the model, like for instance, on the sides of the face, you see where I made some red lines, well, theres actually a raised surface right there, you have to look on the DT model's face sides to see it. Its confusing right now, but it'll make sense when I begin.
Ive decided to make this my summer project for the overall armor project. I know alot of people who've been wanting to get their hands on a DT helmet, and that includes me! Thanks
-tubachris
Now here's my very rough and very quick MS paint over my FX face. Just showing what I need to do to it with the clay.
Same thing for this angle too
There are some subtle details that were only visible to me only after getting the model, like for instance, on the sides of the face, you see where I made some red lines, well, theres actually a raised surface right there, you have to look on the DT model's face sides to see it. Its confusing right now, but it'll make sense when I begin.
Ive decided to make this my summer project for the overall armor project. I know alot of people who've been wanting to get their hands on a DT helmet, and that includes me! Thanks
-tubachris
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CombatBaby
Well-Known Hunter
that's sweet. cool to see how you're planning the alterations
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GCNgamer128
Sr Hunter
Don't alter what you all ready have. Just make a buck out of it and vacuuform it.
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tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
Ive tried to vac-form the buck, the way its shaped is just going to prevent me from producing a quality pull. Ive wasted 5 sheets of styrene alone trying to form it, all were not satisfactory. The top (or the back) comes to a very thin ridge, which only makes the plastic stretch very thin, almost paper like, and a few pulls, it was transparent. I honestly would prefer a solid one piece cast over trying to vac-form several pieces.
I can also say that the hole to stick your head in will be very large, so anyone with a huge head should not have to worry..
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GCNgamer128
Sr Hunter
What I mean is... recast... the face and make modifications to the buck you just created.
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azheat01
Active Hunter
Great Job! The only thing I would be careful about is the measurement and placement of the ear caps. If you look at the model picture, the distance from the rear of the left eye lens to the earcap is not that great. Then look at your mockup photo and you have the ear cap quite a ways farther from the rear of the left eye lens.
The only reason I bring this up is because it seems if you leave it as is and do not compensate for it now, the helmet may look ackwardly long. Sure hate for you to finish it and then notice that!
Just a suggestion, keep up the great work!
The only reason I bring this up is because it seems if you leave it as is and do not compensate for it now, the helmet may look ackwardly long. Sure hate for you to finish it and then notice that!
Just a suggestion, keep up the great work!
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tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
I see what your saying. Like I said, it was just a quick thing I put together. Im not sure If I'll be using the original ABS ears yet just because of the fact that the part that extends under the tubular portion of each side of the helmet, are not the correct shape. I may use it as a base and then alter it as I feel it should to make it look correct.
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CombatBaby
Well-Known Hunter
i agree if u go by that picture it might turn out to be a very long helmet. maybe you can modify it a little bit to be more like a deathstar gunner type shape where it has a steeper angle and goes towards the jet pack instead of out over it
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tubachris85x
Well-Known Hunter
I understand trying to make it shorter, but Im afraid of trying to shorten it, and possibly not get the right look. As un-sleek as it already looks, from the side, its length allows it to have that almost sleek-like appearence, and gives it's shape. Im going to try and keep it how I originally intended, at its full length.
Also, one structural feature of the JP, is that on the top, the dip between each side (the vent boxes) it appears that it was purposly put there because of the helmet swoop.
Now that I look at it, I think the ears that I have will be fine.
I'll have to work with basically what the image above shows, but just add the dome, which Im planning not to alter at all anyways.
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Mercke Lutso
Hunter
Looks like the helmet was an easy fix, and looks great to boot. Nice work!
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