Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master

aron42486 · 09-17-2011, 01:23 AM

Edit: This has now become an actual build thread

Anyone ever attempt building a model of a Mass Relay from Mass Effect?

I'm considering this, maybe as a 3D print. Any Mass Effect fans interested?

I'm thinking 12" long x 5" tall x 2" wide. It would be nice if I could make the center rings glow and spin but that will have to be something for the future.

Thoughts?

or

Nwerke · 09-17-2011, 05:54 AM

It's a great idea. ME design style isn't my cup of tea but as stargatey portal things go, it's not bad. I'm certain you'd get takers. The size you have in mind would make a nice desktop model and the form is sculptural enough you could pretend it's abstract art if the truth would get you jeered at by colleagues.

Sluis Van Shipyards · 09-17-2011, 07:11 PM

I've thought about it, but have too many SW prop/model projects. It would definitely be a cool model!

aron42486 · 09-17-2011, 08:54 PM

I think I might go ahead with this in a few weeks. I really need to finish the projects I currently have on the bench before trying to add more to it. In the meantime I'll keep working on the model.

I've never hollowed a model out for 3D printing before. I tried the shell modifier in 3DS max but it doesn't work correctly. I'll keep working on it and see if I can hollow it out correctly.

As soon as I do get a good hollowed model I'll go ahead and get it printed. As soon as I get something in hand I will put pictures up.

Wes R · 09-17-2011, 08:55 PM

I like the looks of this. I still need to get the normandy kit that's out lol. At least if you got it 3d printed it would be simple (more or less) to make a mold of it and cast it.

aron42486 · 09-17-2011, 09:12 PM

I've never mold and cast anything before so this would be my first attempt. Would something this size be better slush cast and foam filled or cast solid?

The thin prongs would most likely be steel wire. The rings would definitely be solid and cast separately so that you could position them as you like.

As far as the desktop model goes, it could be posed vertical just like the conduit.

aron42486 · 09-21-2011, 10:57 PM

Finished the model up and got it ready for shapeways. Unfortunately all the game files are NOT designed with STL in mind. There were countless polygons that I had to delete and reattach to get rid of all the open edges and faces.

Here it is

The model looks really smoothed, but the sharp corners are there. I just didn't take the time to set up the rendering and colors.

Uploading to shapeways now to get a price quote. The model is currently 12" L x 3" H x 1" W. I may try and increase the size and see what the price difference is for say a 18" L x 4 1/2" H x 1 1/2" W version.

Anyone have a preference of 12" vs. 18"? Smaller version will be a cheaper price when it comes time to cast this.

aron42486 · 09-23-2011, 08:03 AM

Shapeways has approved my hollowed 12" version. I uploaded an 18" version but it is 6 times as expensive. I'm not sure if an error caused the 18" model to not be registered as hollow or not, but I will be checking into it tonight.

It might not be be an error though. I did just scale it up by 50%, and I know that doubling a length increases area times 4 and volume time 8. I'll keep playing around with it, maybe I'll try and thin the walls some more.

I think an 18" model would be my preference as long as I can make it a reasonable price for printing. I wanted to wait until I had the 3D print in hand before I posted a JY thread but I might go ahead and make one to gauge interest as this might affect the size I go with.

modelnutz · 09-23-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes R

I still need to get the normandy kit that's out lol.

So, what are you waiting for ???? Send me a PM...molds and resin are waiting !

Also, aron... send me a PM if you'd like someone to mold and cast this sucker....or...if you would like some molding tips/support.

booksandcorsets · 09-23-2011, 09:50 AM

Would the rings spin? Awesomeness if so!

aron42486 · 09-23-2011, 10:13 AM

Thanks modelnutz, I'll keep you in mind if I run into any problems. I've been researching up a storm about molding and casting but I really won't know what info I need until I actually try it.

booksandcorsets, spinning rings would be very cool. But I do not have the technical know-how to design a gyroscope type thing. As it is now, the model will be static only. But I think if you mounted small RE magnets on the ring posts you could get rings the freely move by hand

TiberiousST · 09-23-2011, 11:49 AM

As a huge ME fan, this is an intriguing project. As a guy who has a house crammed with stuff, the 12" version is plenty, especially given the cost differential. That said, it's not likely that I'll be buying so my point of view isn't very helpful....but as with most things, much depends on the bottom line. Either way, an interesting project I'll be following!

Thanks
Tib

aron42486 · 10-05-2011, 06:22 PM

Shapeways finished and shipped the print early. I received it today. Took pictures straight out of the package for everyone. I have a quarter next to it for scale reference. I also tried many different views and lighting options to highlight details.

The lines look really sharp

A familiar game shot...

The pegs of the lower ring have been made slightly to large. This way each person will be able to sand them down and get a nice snug fit.

The game model was a bit faceted. I will be filling and sanding this smooth.

I am excited to keep working on this.

I need to make a trip down to Orlando to pick up molding and casting supplies. In the meantime I will be doing some light cleaning of this print before I make my master.

This print is mostly hollow and stronger than I was expecting. I am now throwing around the idea of trying to cast this hollow so that lights may be wired up inside it to look more like in the game

I cannot make the center of the rings glow(unless I suspended a self contained light source within it. Due to how thin the rings are and me having no idea how to motorize a gimbal, there is very little chance of this ever having spinning rings. Although I am open to ideas.

booksandcorsets · 10-05-2011, 08:31 PM

Looking awesome so far! I'm very tempted to pick one of your kits up... will keep an eye on this thread in the meantime!

Yodajammies · 10-05-2011, 08:37 PM

This is coming along nicely.

blbarrett · 10-09-2011, 05:53 PM

Good stuff! thanks for the tip on Shapeways

aron42486 · 10-12-2011, 07:42 AM

Had a meeting near Orlando yesterday which gave me a chance to swing by my local Smooth-On dealer. Got some advice and recommendations based on this project and some hopeful future projects as well.

I got MoldStar 30 as my rubber and Smooth-Cast 65D as my urethane. I should now have all the materials I need in order to cast a master, so I just need to find a few days to put towards it.

I have done some light sanding to the shapeways model to begin smoothing out facets. However, any heavy finishing will be done on the cast master. That way if I screw up, I will still have the shapeways print and the mold of the master.

absb87 · 11-03-2011, 06:46 PM

That looks absolutely awesome! If you can get the insides wired and lit up I think it'll be fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing the end result!

Go Flight · 11-03-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aron42486

Had a meeting near Orlando yesterday which gave me a chance to swing by my local Smooth-On dealer. Got some advice and recommendations based on this project and some hopeful future projects as well.

I got MoldStar 30 as my rubber and Smooth-Cast 65D as my urethane. I should now have all the materials I need in order to cast a master, so I just need to find a few days to put towards it.

I have done some light sanding to the shapeways model to begin smoothing out facets. However, any heavy finishing will be done on the cast master. That way if I screw up, I will still have the shapeways print and the mold of the master.

Not really familiar with the ship, but thats a terrific design. Lemee know when your ready to sell. if possible I would love to get a kit of it.

aron42486 · 11-04-2011, 07:21 AM

It has been a few weeks since I've been able to work on this, halloween had me racing to finish my ironman helmet. This has my full attention again.

I goofed up the first mold and currently redoing it. I should have an update in a week or so and will let you guys know when I have finished casts ready for a run.

sycor · 11-08-2011, 01:38 PM

Awesome project. I may have to pick one of these up at a later date. Great work.

Ceric Neesh · 11-13-2011, 02:10 AM

Dude! Didn't realize you're here in Ocala! If you need help with anything, let me know, I'm on the east side of town, about 5 minutes from the Publix on the corner of 36th and SR40.

aron42486 · 11-13-2011, 02:46 PM

PM sent Ceric Neesh

Dainbramage546 · 11-14-2011, 12:17 AM

Awesome work so far! I can't wait to see the finished model and hopefully a kit

Ceric Neesh · 12-06-2011, 10:41 PM

Any progress?

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09-17-2011, 01:23 AM	#1
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master Edit: This has now become an actual build thread Anyone ever attempt building a model of a Mass Relay from Mass Effect? I'm considering this, maybe as a 3D print. Any Mass Effect fans interested? I'm thinking 12" long x 5" tall x 2" wide. It would be nice if I could make the center rings glow and spin but that will have to be something for the future. Thoughts? or Last edited by aron42486; 10-13-2011 at 07:21 AM. Reason: update

09-17-2011, 05:54 AM	#2
Nwerke Eh? Where'd me title go? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Russ...stralia. Da. That one. Posts: 3,230	Re: Mass Relay Model - Mass Effect It's a great idea. ME design style isn't my cup of tea but as stargatey portal things go, it's not bad. I'm certain you'd get takers. The size you have in mind would make a nice desktop model and the form is sculptural enough you could pretend it's abstract art if the truth would get you jeered at by colleagues.

09-17-2011, 07:11 PM	#3
Sluis Van Shipyards Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Miamisburg, OH (near Dayton) Posts: 12,145	Re: Mass Relay Model - Mass Effect I've thought about it, but have too many SW prop/model projects. It would definitely be a cool model!

09-17-2011, 08:54 PM	#4
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model - Mass Effect I think I might go ahead with this in a few weeks. I really need to finish the projects I currently have on the bench before trying to add more to it. In the meantime I'll keep working on the model. I've never hollowed a model out for 3D printing before. I tried the shell modifier in 3DS max but it doesn't work correctly. I'll keep working on it and see if I can hollow it out correctly. As soon as I do get a good hollowed model I'll go ahead and get it printed. As soon as I get something in hand I will put pictures up. Last edited by aron42486; 09-21-2011 at 03:23 PM.

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09-17-2011, 08:55 PM	#5
Wes R Formerly cobalt crimson Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: PA Posts: 5,489	Re: Mass Relay Model - Mass Effect I like the looks of this. I still need to get the normandy kit that's out lol. At least if you got it 3d printed it would be simple (more or less) to make a mold of it and cast it.

09-17-2011, 09:12 PM	#6
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model - Mass Effect I've never mold and cast anything before so this would be my first attempt. Would something this size be better slush cast and foam filled or cast solid? The thin prongs would most likely be steel wire. The rings would definitely be solid and cast separately so that you could position them as you like. As far as the desktop model goes, it could be posed vertical just like the conduit.

09-21-2011, 10:57 PM	#7
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model - Mass Effect Finished the model up and got it ready for shapeways. Unfortunately all the game files are NOT designed with STL in mind. There were countless polygons that I had to delete and reattach to get rid of all the open edges and faces. Here it is The model looks really smoothed, but the sharp corners are there. I just didn't take the time to set up the rendering and colors. Uploading to shapeways now to get a price quote. The model is currently 12" L x 3" H x 1" W. I may try and increase the size and see what the price difference is for say a 18" L x 4 1/2" H x 1 1/2" W version. Anyone have a preference of 12" vs. 18"? Smaller version will be a cheaper price when it comes time to cast this.

09-23-2011, 08:03 AM	#8
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - About to 3D print Shapeways has approved my hollowed 12" version. I uploaded an 18" version but it is 6 times as expensive. I'm not sure if an error caused the 18" model to not be registered as hollow or not, but I will be checking into it tonight. It might not be be an error though. I did just scale it up by 50%, and I know that doubling a length increases area times 4 and volume time 8. I'll keep playing around with it, maybe I'll try and thin the walls some more. I think an 18" model would be my preference as long as I can make it a reasonable price for printing. I wanted to wait until I had the 3D print in hand before I posted a JY thread but I might go ahead and make one to gauge interest as this might affect the size I go with. Last edited by aron42486; 10-12-2011 at 07:48 AM.

09-23-2011, 09:50 AM	#10
booksandcorsets Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 138	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - About to 3D print Would the rings spin? Awesomeness if so!

09-23-2011, 10:13 AM	#11
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - About to 3D print Thanks modelnutz, I'll keep you in mind if I run into any problems. I've been researching up a storm about molding and casting but I really won't know what info I need until I actually try it. booksandcorsets, spinning rings would be very cool. But I do not have the technical know-how to design a gyroscope type thing. As it is now, the model will be static only. But I think if you mounted small RE magnets on the ring posts you could get rings the freely move by hand

09-23-2011, 11:49 AM	#12
TiberiousST Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 53	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - About to 3D print As a huge ME fan, this is an intriguing project. As a guy who has a house crammed with stuff, the 12" version is plenty, especially given the cost differential. That said, it's not likely that I'll be buying so my point of view isn't very helpful....but as with most things, much depends on the bottom line. Either way, an interesting project I'll be following! Thanks Tib

10-05-2011, 06:22 PM	#13
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - About to 3D print Shapeways finished and shipped the print early. I received it today. Took pictures straight out of the package for everyone. I have a quarter next to it for scale reference. I also tried many different views and lighting options to highlight details. The lines look really sharp A familiar game shot... The pegs of the lower ring have been made slightly to large. This way each person will be able to sand them down and get a nice snug fit. The game model was a bit faceted. I will be filling and sanding this smooth. I am excited to keep working on this. I need to make a trip down to Orlando to pick up molding and casting supplies. In the meantime I will be doing some light cleaning of this print before I make my master. This print is mostly hollow and stronger than I was expecting. I am now throwing around the idea of trying to cast this hollow so that lights may be wired up inside it to look more like in the game I cannot make the center of the rings glow(unless I suspended a self contained light source within it. Due to how thin the rings are and me having no idea how to motorize a gimbal, there is very little chance of this ever having spinning rings. Although I am open to ideas.

10-05-2011, 08:31 PM	#14
booksandcorsets Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 138	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - 3D print has arrived Looking awesome so far! I'm very tempted to pick one of your kits up... will keep an eye on this thread in the meantime!

10-05-2011, 08:37 PM	#15
Yodajammies Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NashVille, TN Posts: 325	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - 3D print has arrived This is coming along nicely.

10-09-2011, 05:53 PM	#16
blbarrett Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 21	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - 3D print has arrived Good stuff! thanks for the tip on Shapeways

10-12-2011, 07:42 AM	#17
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - 3D print has arrived Had a meeting near Orlando yesterday which gave me a chance to swing by my local Smooth-On dealer. Got some advice and recommendations based on this project and some hopeful future projects as well. I got MoldStar 30 as my rubber and Smooth-Cast 65D as my urethane. I should now have all the materials I need in order to cast a master, so I just need to find a few days to put towards it. I have done some light sanding to the shapeways model to begin smoothing out facets. However, any heavy finishing will be done on the cast master. That way if I screw up, I will still have the shapeways print and the mold of the master. Last edited by aron42486; 10-12-2011 at 07:51 AM.

11-03-2011, 06:46 PM	#18
absb87 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 20	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master That looks absolutely awesome! If you can get the insides wired and lit up I think it'll be fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing the end result!

11-04-2011, 07:21 AM	#20
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master It has been a few weeks since I've been able to work on this, halloween had me racing to finish my ironman helmet. This has my full attention again. I goofed up the first mold and currently redoing it. I should have an update in a week or so and will let you guys know when I have finished casts ready for a run.

11-08-2011, 01:38 PM	#21
sycor Soulless Ginger Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,433	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master Awesome project. I may have to pick one of these up at a later date. Great work.

11-13-2011, 02:10 AM	#22
Ceric Neesh Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 255	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master Dude! Didn't realize you're here in Ocala! If you need help with anything, let me know, I'm on the east side of town, about 5 minutes from the Publix on the corner of 36th and SR40.

11-13-2011, 02:46 PM	#23
aron42486 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 326	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master PM sent Ceric Neesh

11-14-2011, 12:17 AM	#24
Dainbramage546 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 54	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master Awesome work so far! I can't wait to see the finished model and hopefully a kit

12-06-2011, 10:41 PM	#25
Ceric Neesh Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 255	Re: Mass Relay Model from Mass Effect - Molding the Master Any progress?

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