New Templates: Republic Commando!

Hey guys, you may have read on my blog that I've been planning to do templates for the Republic Commando?

Well, I have. I've just been waiting on some blueprints that have been drawn by a good friend of mine to help me with this project. I recieved the finished pencil drawings this morning and have set about modelling the RC helmet. The armor WILL follow but for now, I'm just focusing on the lid.

It's not alot to show just yet but it'll get there. I just wanted a thread here to let any non blog visitors know.

Looking good Skip!

Looking good...

Skip, you are the man!!! Amazing job, as always!

G-Fett

Wow! Can't wait, Love the RC's

Thanks alot guys!! I'm happy with it so far.

I messed up the cheek indents a little yesterday so I've altered them now. Just working on the snout. Though I have two new Commission jobs to do so work on this will slow a little. It WILL get finished though!

nice work skip.. keep up the good work....

Thanks buddy. I'm trying to keep it simple but get most of the detail in it. The rest would have to be added during the build.

looking good Skip! can't wait to build it!

Thanks again guys,

I've made some more progress on it, not too much though as I need to knuckle down for some commission work. I've been commissioned to do my first weapon!

It's a concept pistol from the Mass Effect game. It's a pretty cool design as it goes. I'll post a pic.


You cn see in the side view window what it's meant to look like. I'm hoping to have this one complete by tonight.

As for the RC, I'll be looking to get some more done in the next day or two.

I finished up that Mass Effect pistol this morning so as a treat to myself I decided to get a little more done on the RC.

Another little section coming together now, the rear!

Woh! It's been quiet in the EU section today!

Anyway, I've pretty much finished the modelling now for the RC lid! I'm pretty happy with it, there are a few areas I'm not totally sure about yet so may tweak tem a bit. I just have a few things to finish up first.

Here's a pic:

Can't wait to see this one in the flesh Skip!

thats sweet skip.. it's a major improvement over the other Pep Rc bucket i have seen.. Good Job..

Thanks very much guys! I'm glad you like it.

I've seen that other Pepakura RC file, I'm sure that's an ingame model that's been ripped from the game. It's horribly low detailed, so much so that I didn't even use it. To use game data for this kind of thing means the 3D models have to be fairly high detailed for game models. Such as Halo, though even they need work.

I'm looking forward to building this one, though it'll take me some time as I have a lot on lately.

Morning guys, I spent an hour or so on this this morning. Just trying to get it unfolded for all those you've been emailing me about it. So far so good, fortunately the RC is one of the more simplistic designs from SW. There may be some tricky spots during the build but overall it should be just fine.

All done now guys!! Managed to get it finished up this morning. Visit my blog for more details if you want a copy.

http://skipspepakuracostumes.blogspot.com/

Yeah!!!!
PM sent.

Much appreciated buddy!

Oh Snap! Did I really just say that??? Awesome job Skip-a-roo!!! Just Awesome!!!


G-Fett

Thank you my friend. As with all my other templates, I just hope they build as well for real.

BTW, I'm working that little something or you. Coming along well I think.

Hey guys,

I'm working on the next part of my RC set. The Deece!!!

I'm basing it off three things, in-game pics, some blueprints a friend sent me(I think they're WoF work), and the Omega Squad figures.

I'm happy with it so far and hope to have it finished soon.

Here's a pic of the WIP.

That Deece is looking Good Skip! It's another Skip made, must have items!

Cheers buddy. I seem to be going through a weapons phase eh? LOL!

Finished the modelling guys. Though I may alter the front grip under the barrel. That version is from the 3.75" Omega figures but doesn't look as good I think as the ingame version so I may go for that.

Originally Posted by Skupilkinson

My blog

Ehh. I can't find your homepage. I get an error.

Really??

Works fine for me buddy. Try this instead?

http://skipspepakuracostumes.blogspot.com/

Impressive....Most Impressive.

Originally Posted by Skupilkinson

Finished the modelling guys. Though I may alter the front grip under the barrel. That version is from the 3.75" Omega figures but doesn't look as good I think as the ingame version so I may go for that.

Awesome start! Can't wait to see the end!

Wow, excellent work!

Are you going to make the variations of the DC's? If so, I'm guessing they will all be the same size/shape, so if you wanted to swap the parts out to convert the gun back and forth, you could do that? That would be SWEET!

Your work is really awesome, keep it up!

Hey guys, could one of you kind people tell me how long a Deece is? I've never had a real prop of one before so I don't know.

Morning guys,

I managed to get the DC-17 finished this morning. The templates for anyone who's interested in them are available through my blog. It's 16 pages worth of templates and is not for the faint of heart or the novice I'd say. Though it should build up to a nice prop. You could remove the glue tabs and build this with styrene or build as a card model and fill it with foam or something similar to made it more sturdy. Resin then on the outside for a carder skin?? That's how I think I'll build mine anyway.

Another pic:

nice work skip....

Thanks very much buddy! Glad you like it.

Hey guys,

I have another addition to the RC templates in the works today. Not armor though I'm afraid. However, it's still a cool one.

I'm almost finished modelling the pistol (unsure of it's model) the RC's use.

Not a great deal to say about it really as I'm sure there are plenty of RC fans here who know more about it than me. I started modelling it this morning and have one more part to add before it's done.

Outstanding as always Ner'Vod!

Thank you Brother. This weapons phase that have started seems to be sticking! LOL!!

Very nice work Skip!

Thanks alot my friend. I thought you'd like it. I was asked to do this by a guy in the states. I can't say much about the why but it was an honor to do it. I'd have gotten to this anyway myself without being asked but it's good to have it done.

I'll probably unfold this and offer up templates for others to build their own from styrene or something.

Here's three pics of the complete model.







EDIT: I've just looked at those pics above and it struck me that this pistol actually ressembles Robocops Auto9(I think that's what it's called)??? Funny.

Dude that is going to be like so awesome when you add color or whatever!

No buddy. This could be textured and what not and even unfolded to create a card model for display.

Though I'm not really doing that anymore these days. I'll be unfolding this 3D model to create 2D templates or the pistol. Then those templates could be used to build you're own using sheet styrene or similar material.With a little time, ELwire could be used to light the prop too.

I've started a build of the DC-17 rifle using my templates. Hopefully, this will be one of my custom Mandos pieces of essential kit!!

I adapted my templates to work on styrene. Basically ignoring the glue tabs and having to trim 1mm off here and there to make up for thicker material. So far so good I think.

I know I sound like a stuck record Skip! but you got some mad modeling skills bruv... very clean!

Thanks very much buddy!! There's some areas that need filling here and there but overall it's going well. I'm trying to figure out now how to light it, have the ammo mag removable and have sections that I can remove to change batteries or lights.

Tricky but I'll get there.

Thanks bro.

That's looking sweet Skip. Can't wait to see it finished!

Thanks Dexx, I made more progress on it lastnight. I'm building the area that'll house the ammo counter and energy magazine. I've kinda figured out how I'll approach it now. I'll have more pics later maybe.

Really enjoying this, I'm even obsessing over it already. Spending every free second on some part of it. It's good to be working with styrene again.

looks pretty cool

Gee, thanks.

As always, very nice work!

Thanks T, same goes for you buddy.

Didn't get to spend any time on this yesterday. The Mandalor or the house wanted to clean! LOL!

I tried to make up for it a bit this morning though and this is the Deece as it is now.




I've worked out how I'll be able to access the ammo counter to change LED or battery and I'll start building that part next. Then down to that (not sure what to call it) grip beneath the barrel.

I'll epoxy some magnets into the recess where the mag slots into place to hold it there. Don't want my ammo falling out in the heat of battle now do we?

Got another update guys.

I had no glue for three days so had nothing to do. Though I filled in some seams and gaps to try and do SOMETHING!! LOL!

I've built up more of the mid section around the ammo counter and magazine. I've also, built most of the grip(for lack of a better word) at the front too. It's still going together really well and is surprisingly sturdy and rigid for 1mm styrene. Also, there's a plate for the ammo counter display that is held on with some magnets. Then it can be removed for me to access the inside when I need to change batteries on the LED.

I've also bought some LEDs and battery connectors for this but as yet haven't put them to use. Also got me some 20mm diameter pipe on the way to use for the barrel.

Some pics? Sorry about the phone camera! I really need to get batteries for my real camera.

Nice DC... It's looking great!!!

I FOUND SOME BATTERIES! So I took clearer pics. Thanks very much Odran!







These will show up where I still need to sand and fill but it should show some more of the detail better too. Still a lot of work left to do but I'm happy with it so far, and I'm thrilled you like it too!

Ok, I wanted to post these pics before I go off to bed. Trying to stock up on sleep before my ik'aad arrives. LOL!

I finished the bulk of the blast shield just now. It needs a little refining and clean up but it's enough for me to show you guys. I made the flap around 4mm thick, it's hollow to allow a pin to be used as the hinge. The pin is a steel rod around 1.5mm in diameter and is strong enough to take knocks and allow movement without bending or popping out.

I still need to build in the rest of the recess where the shield closes into but that's for tomorrow. I need to add a swing arm to act as a stopper to prevent the shield from opening too far and will also have magnets that will allow it to also hold the shield in position in the open or closed positions. Again that's for tomorrow.

I'm really pleased with this bit even though I don't need it to function right now. Still, it's there in readiness for when I build the AA attachment eh?

Some pics for you to see. The last two are mainly just to show what I meant earlier about using scrap pieces to add strength to the seams and joints. Not the prettiest of work on the inside but it all serves a purpose.







Hope you like it guys, any feedback or critisism is welcome my brothers!

SLEEP?!!!! How do you ever expect to get this done with that kind of attitude?! Looking good. I like the functional blast shield/battery cover idea.

LOL! I know I'm such a slacker!

Wow! Skip that is brillant Ner Vode! I should pop by this site more often, look at all I've missed!

Wow!
That's a amazing piece of work!
Very professional look.

WOW Such beauty i want one

Thanks very much guys!! I'll have new pics later on.

Do you ever sleep. keep up the most excellent work. one day I will get some of your work

Actually I set an alarm to wake me up before the kids get up. It gives me a few hours of peace and quiet to get things done.

This morning though I slept in and didn't get up until around 6.30am. By then my two oldest are awake, so I'll catch up later now.

That is quite impressing! I like the 1mm styrene you used, it looks extremely professional.

Thanks very much! I'm trying to work as cleanly as I can. Trying to keep every seam and cormer sharp. This is probably the most ambitious styrene build I've ever attempted so I'm taking alot of time to get it right.

I've just bought all of the electrical its and bits ready to light this and make it POP! Hopefully.

Ok, I have new pics. I had some time on this this morning so have pretty much closed up the rear end now. I had to add some serious internal support here to keep it in shape and to avoid it twisting and warping as I went along. It's all good now though.

Moving parts so far are the sliding bolt on the blaster attachment, the deployable blast shield for the AA attachment, and now an opening and closing locking clip for the different attachments. The plate for the ammo counter is also removable. I've started building the internal for that display too, not pictured.

The locking clip for the attachments serves a purpose as again I'm using magnets to enable it to lock into place to hold the attachment in place. Right now it's mostly for show but will end up serving a bigger purpose later when I make the different attachments and remove the existing blaster attachment to make that removable.

I've also bought me some new toys and supplies. I got me a new soldering iron and all the rest of the components to light this up. I'm going for green illumination over the usual blue. This is just because I like green, it matches my scheme and because who says that the lights HAVE to be blue if this isn't gonna be a Republic DC eh? LOL!

I've seen a kit out there which allows the builder to have a working counter, flashing muzzle and even sounds on their deece. I'm not going that far yet but I may at a later time.

Anyway, some pics.







Hope you still like it vode!

I tell you what, don't you just hate the way that uploading .jpg pics to photobucket degrades them??!!

EDIT: I forgot to mention. There's a little piece you see on the blast shield that shouldn't be there?? I added that to allow me to easily be able to open the shield when need be. The shield usually sits flush with the rest of the rifle casing and since I'm not using servos to open or close that shield it would be near impossible to open it with gloves on. That little flap allows me to get my thumb under it and pull the shield open.

I started work on a magazine yesterday, my soldering iron arrived so I couldn't wait to try out my idea.

The mag has three LEDs inside powered by a 9v battery, there's also a momentary switch in the circuit. Push in for "on", release for "off". This switch slightly pokes out through a hole in the mag casing so that when the mag is slotted into place in the rifle, the switch is pushed in and activates the LEDs. When the mag is pulled out, the lights go off. This isn't how the mag lights work in game it sems but I wanted to experiment and also thought it'd be a nice way to do it.

The whole circuit and light board are seperate from the magazine and slides inside to allow battery changes or maintenance. Magnets again hold the mag closed when I'm using it. It's still being worked on but here are some pics:



NOTE: That top plate for the mag casing will be fixed into place once I'm satisfied it all works and after I've done the transparent parts.

You can now see the circuit board.

You should be able to see the switch and it's hole here.


Lights on

The unfinished mag in place in the rifle.

The switches aren't fantastic, they need to be pushed right in to activate the LEDs, I'm hoping that magnets pulling the mag into the rifle will hold it tightly enough to push that switch in and activate the LEDs. If not then I'll need to find better switches so fingers crossed.

Later I hope to get the ammo counter done too.

Thanks brothers.

Woopie doo, you nailed that helmet!

That is looking awesome bro.great job!!!

Thanks guys.

Not looked at this for a while but I must say it looks kin-awesome bruv! I can't believe how clean it looks? I'd have glue ALL over the place...

Thanks Mojo! Good to hear from you buddy!!

Yeah it needs a little clean up from the Milliput but it's shaping up well. I just couldn't resist trying out the lighting for the magazine. I'll finish that then get back to building the rest.

No sweat bruv, you gonna cast this up?

I just emailed you about that.

I really hate my slow connection. Can't get pic of bucket. However, that blaster is looking really sweet. When I am drawing, I pay a lot of attention to detail; and I recognize the attention you have put in to this. Beautiful work, man, I hope I can get this good one day.

Thanks very much buddy! I'm really pleased you like it.

Skip, his work was great, congratulations brother



Skip, seu trabalho ficou ótimo, meus parabéns irmão

Ori'vor'e ner vod!!!

I can't wait to see that DC finished... How is the armor going? Like I like to say: Amazing work...

Thank you Odran.

No progress on my armor though. The weather's been too cold here for me to work on it. That's why I started the deece build, something I could work on indoors.

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I updated this thread but I have started something new now and have a little something to show.

Well, this is where I am so far on the RC armor. I wasn't sure about a few areas until I looked at the model in Pepakura and I'm now really happy with this so far!

The cod/ab and butt/lumber plates are two seperate objects that have been modelled so that the built parts should slot together when being put on for a better fit that should hide the seams better.

It's been a really exciting day to model this! I know some might think I need to get out more! LOL! But I've been waiting a long time to start this project so it's been great to steal a day to work on this rather than commissions. Hey! It's my birthday!

Anyway, hope it looks as good to you guys as it does to me.

Happy birthday

Happy birthday and glad to see this thread rise again!!!

Thanks very much guys.

Well the birthday's passed now so I'll be focusing on other commissions and what not but I'll be trying to make progress on this aswell now that I've started it.

Happy belated B-day man. The Big Three O, right? Hope it was a good one.

I finished the upper body yesterday.



Thanks T-bone, It was a quiet one but a good one.

Hey guys,

I've been chatting to my good buddy Ruze about the drafts he sent me for the RC arm armor blueprints he's doing for me.

Now I thought that he'd made a mistake by drawing the bicep armor with a gradual inclined curved at the top. I mentioned it to him that I'd always believed that this was in fact flat and that there was no curve.

He mentioned two pics in our reference that clearly showed it curved so I did some digging and found even more pics showing this. He was right!

It would seem that contrary(sp?) to popular belief that this bicep armor is not flat. Therefore the action figures and even(I'm sorry to say it) 1/1 scale armor kits out there are somewhat inaccurate. Not that I'm bad mouthing these kits at all! The Republic Commando has been done slightly differently by various people for some time now so this is just another inconsistency to add to the list.

I think the trouble is that the shoulder plates hide the top of the bicep armor alot of the time and it's easily missed. Like I said, even the 3.75" figures are wrong.

Well you learn something new everyday.

Needless to say, I'll be including this curved top to my armor when I model it. It'll be nice to be a little different.

Incase anyone thinks I'm mistaken I'll attch some pics that show this find:







This is all game in pics and even the original texture map for the game. Since this is where the RC originated we can't really argue with it.

Feel free to comment.

No comments on the bicep armor find?? I'm surprised.

Oh well, here's an update on the 3D model of the armor. Not too long now before I should be able to start producing the templates from it.

Skip, that is so hot looking! You've done an OUTSTANDING job with this one.

Thanks NT!!

This is ALL my own work too! Well, except for the blueprints! Those were done my my very good friend Ruze789! Gotta give him credit there, this would have been a nightmare without his help.

Skip... Congratulations to you and Ruze789 for your hard work on this armor... I can't wait to see it complete!!!

Hopefully those images I got you will help out

I definitely agree with you on the bicep outer and inner surface being slightly curved front to back, it might even have a ever so slight dome to it by curving top to bottom a bit.

They were thanks.

Hurry up and finish! I'm gonna look silly walking around in just my helmet.

Heh, just kidding! The weather here has been less than ideal lately for fiberglass/bondo work.

By the way, everyone who is working on the RC bucket, start with the dome, it will save you some bondo work later. I did it last and the dome ended up warped in odd places.

Keep it up, man, I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the gear.

---End of Thread Hijack

Nice work buddy! Keep at it.

Nice work, looks realy good, did you use sintra?

Wow, you have some amazing skills. That blaster is looking super sweet. You need to drop that thing into some silicone.