Darktrooper Progress Thread update: 4/7/13

[tubachris85x]

Hello all.

I figured to save some time, I'd post my intro along with my current project.

Quite a few members here may already know me, but Ive been waiting for sooooooo long to be able to join the RPF, because I see skills and talents here that far surpass any of my abilities.

Now to my project. My plans are to complete a BattleFront 2 version of the Darktrooper. There is alot of stuff that Im not including, so this will basically continue up until I finish. Ive set a goal for completion by next Dragon con or sooner.

Here is a pic of the suit and some follow up shots from my progress so far:



The helmet was originally going to be a modified F/X TK helmet, but since Ive recieved the actual 3D model from the game, and some help, I was able to recieve a Pepakura version which you see here.









What my plans are, is to use chavant clay, and put a layer over it, smooth it out, add the details, mold and cast in one piece helmets using the "slush" casting method.


*EDIT* Adding pics of the jetpack!

Here it is as of right now, it took awhile to get the right overall shape to look accurate





Heres and older pic, but this shows the main box



I have already made the fore arm vac-form bucks, the bottom one is almost completly done, the top needs some holes drill to allow more air flow. The bicep bucks are almost done, one of the halfs is done, the other needs one more detail. The handplates need to be made, I had originally thought that they were ANH style TK's, but now, I know that they are not. I have begun on the Jump Jetpack, and that is about 85% done.

What I am doing now, is I am going to "frankenstien" this suit together. Since most of the suit is clone armor, I will be getting that pre made, and will be constructing everything else that is custom, myself.

There is aloot more that I cannot just summerize. This is a link to my first progress thread on TheDentedHelmet.com

Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it


Thanks for looking!

-tubachris

[Darth Mawr]

Hi Chris, welcome to the site. Great work so far, your brave to do all that folding. I read your thread over at THD and I think you should leave the bump on the dome for one helmet before you correct it Keep us updated here on your progress.

[Tea]

I've been waiting for someone to tackle this! I can't wait to see the progress!

[tubachris85x]

Hi Chris, welcome to the site. Great work so far, your brave to do all that folding. I read your thread over at THD and I think you should leave the bump on the dome for one helmet before you correct it Keep us updated here on your progress.

Bah, maybe if I had the extra money rofl

[idonutn0]

Ive followed this for a few months over on the dented helmet. Youve done some great work on it.
If you can, post up the Pepakura file please. Id like to tackle the helmet myself.
Cant wait to see more progress.

Thanks

[Jedifyfe]

Welcome Chris,
Very cool work so far. It's great to get new talent on the board. This will be a very cool build-up.

Brad

[baron von blondle]

wow that looks impressive! i cannot wait to see more! best of luck!

Respect
P.

[tubachris85x]

Thanks guys. Im really looking forward to getting this costume finished. Just need more money lol, and I'd be set.

Anyways, im never using expanding foam again. Its screwing with my Pep helmet, despite the fact thats its been fiberglassed. Forutnatly, its still fixable, its just affecting the dome's shape. It actually started sinking in one area..I dont know why. Im just never using that crap again.

Other then that, Im currently working an RFT costume as part of a group project for Dragon con, and I managed to finish more then 95% of the helmet kit in one day, so that'll be done by tomorrow.

I'll work on trying to get a host for the PDF. of the pep helmet. Ive had issues in the past when trying to upload a file...

-tubachris

[tubachris85x]

Added some pics of the jump jet pack so you wont have to search through the TDH thread if you look...

[obiwan2]

Wow, that's a great start! Can't wait to see the progress of this

[MisriahArmory]

Are you using cardstock for Pepakura?

Looking good Tuba ^^

You should post pics also on the 405th ^^

[tubachris85x]

Are you using cardstock for Pepakura?

Looking good Tuba ^^

You should post pics also on the 405th ^^

Yes to the cardstock, and I actually did make a thread showing the pep helmet, because I figured that since most there are using the pep method, well, you know...

Thanks obiwan 2!

If someone wants, I can send them the PDF. file of the pep helmet, and use an uploader. I was trying, but my computer has issues for some reason

[MisriahArmory]

Oh I missed that thread then

[kerotan 36]

That thing is going to need quite a lot of bondo. Looks good by the way so keep up the good work!

[Billhag]

Tuba
You're doing a great job mate.Brilliant post over on TDH and I was really
gutted for you with the helmet and the foam.Keep up the fantastic work
I can't wait to see it all fully finished

[therob]

That jetpack has come a long way from the cardboard and shaping you did over at the 501st site, good job. Just going with pep or going to Vacuumform it when its done?

[TMP]

Very interesting.

[tubachris85x]

Well, actually, the jetpack is constructed entirely of styrene plastic I used from the "no parking" signs you can get at home depot. The vents are actual metal strips that came off of real vents. Its all being held together with hot glue miracuously.

The helmet, Im using the paper helmet as a base for me to work with, add clay, smooth everything out, and add details, for me to mold, and hopefully be able to cast once piece helmets from plastic resin.

[tubachris85x]

Well, with a little mix of insomnia and compulsive actions, I started clay work on the helmet. This is a brand thats meant for sculpting and also works with silicone molding, so I figure this should work out in the long run. This is really my first time using clay (except as a toddler now lol) so Im really learning as I go. I seem to get the general shape, but my biggest issue, is making it all really smooth, the way I need it. Also, certain spots, the clay will cling onto the tools and no matter how careful I am at tryin to smooth those areas, it will just come right off, leaving a "hole" in the clay.

Thats it really. I only had enough for the dome as of right now, even then, as you can see in the 2nd pic, that the left side is lower then the right. Thats caused by that "sinkhole" that was created by the expanding foam. I need to get more clay in order to fill it in a bit more.





-TC

[TMP]

My only concern looking at this is that the dome seem to be to short in proportions to get a good eye possition inside the helmet.
Have you tried with the helmet on?

Anyway, a very cool project.

[tubachris85x]

My only concern looking at this is that the dome seem to be to short in proportions to get a good eye possition inside the helmet.
Have you tried with the helmet on?

Anyway, a very cool project.

Thanks

Yes, after I first constructed it, I put it on, and it's actually pretty well proportioned. They eyes were a concern for me at first, as they are pretty far apart, in comparison to a regular TK helmet. I was able to see the markings I made as to where the eyes will be. It wont be ideal, but it will be accurate in the end.

I honestly think that this will be the roomiest helmet, lol. Huge in there, can stuff all your favorite electronics and then some. Pluse, the bottom is so open, it will really reduce the amount of hot air that can fog the lens (later on of course).

Just cant wait to get it finished

[tubachris85x]

Alrighty then. With help from a 405th member, I learned how to convert the 3D model into pepakura! This will help making the rest of the armor easier for me. What I did was first do the shoulder bells. I decided to spend some time, and make a minature shoulder bell, the right one if your looking at the front of it. Not 100% perfect, but small stuff is hard to build if you have huge hand/fingers rofl.

Its hard to make out, but this is the best angle to really recognize it. You can see how much the model looks without smoothing.





I just need to figure out the scaling thing. I am only guessing, but I printed these out without modifying anything, and would venture to say its scaled for probably a 12 inch tall figure

-TC

[tubachris85x]

Well, I couldnt wait, so I decided to put this together. I think it came out pretty well. Ive decided that Im going to be molding the armor pieces that I make myself, and cast in a plastic resin. Of course, I'll be adding bondo and or clay before to make it all smooth!





-TC

[tubachris85x]

Cripe, I just compared the size next to the helmet, and compared it next the the 3d model. I will have to increase it's size a bit to make it proportional. Plus, I felt it is a bit snug. I just need to figure out the proper proportions. I really dont want to re-do the helmet, after getting this far with it

[ItsThatGuy]

I'm glad to see you started working on this again. Can't wait to see more!