Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume
- Thread starter twinight
- Start date
oculus1857
Well-Known Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
At first I wasn't sure how this was going to come along for you on this. Looking at the part where you used Mod Podge, one of the few things like duct tape that uses 'The Force', and plasta dip is just impressive. Really, great stuff you got going on here.
At first I wasn't sure how this was going to come along for you on this. Looking at the part where you used Mod Podge, one of the few things like duct tape that uses 'The Force', and plasta dip is just impressive. Really, great stuff you got going on here.
twinight
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Rinzler, I used mostly 3mm foamies and 1/8" Plastazoate sheets. A few places that didn't need to be layered like the lower hanging panels, I just used 1/4". I think 1.5mm is too thin for anything, but to add detail.
I used sever coats of diluted Mod Podge first, till I could'nt see the pores of the foam anymore. Then a few coats of spray Plastidip to color it black. Then a final coat of Mod Podge, so it doesn't feel rubbery from the Plastidip.
Thanks for the compliments.
This is my first costume, so much of the methods I learned were by using the search button and Google. Looking back, it's pretty amazing what I accomplished from a single concept rendering and lots of foam sheets. The amazing part is that it looks pretty similar to the drawing and that there were no major screw ups along the way.
Rinzler, I used mostly 3mm foamies and 1/8" Plastazoate sheets. A few places that didn't need to be layered like the lower hanging panels, I just used 1/4". I think 1.5mm is too thin for anything, but to add detail.
I used sever coats of diluted Mod Podge first, till I could'nt see the pores of the foam anymore. Then a few coats of spray Plastidip to color it black. Then a final coat of Mod Podge, so it doesn't feel rubbery from the Plastidip.
Thanks for the compliments.
This is my first costume, so much of the methods I learned were by using the search button and Google. Looking back, it's pretty amazing what I accomplished from a single concept rendering and lots of foam sheets. The amazing part is that it looks pretty similar to the drawing and that there were no major screw ups along the way.
SUESYLVESTER
New Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
What can't Asian's do. Wow.
What can't Asian's do. Wow.
morrisart85
New Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Absolutely AMAZING! Your disk came out great, and your suit looks to be pretty well under way as well. What kind of run times to you expect to get from your final assembly?
Absolutely AMAZING! Your disk came out great, and your suit looks to be pretty well under way as well. What kind of run times to you expect to get from your final assembly?
twinight
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Thanks, It's running on a single 8 AA /12v inverter, so I expect about 8 hours if it draws 8ma per meter. The disk will probably run even longer with only 1 meter of EL wire. The LED's probably draw quite a bit of current(maybe 1 continuous hour), but it is only active when I am holding the disk in my hand.
here's a pic of the front with the EL Wire in place.
Thanks, It's running on a single 8 AA /12v inverter, so I expect about 8 hours if it draws 8ma per meter. The disk will probably run even longer with only 1 meter of EL wire. The LED's probably draw quite a bit of current(maybe 1 continuous hour), but it is only active when I am holding the disk in my hand.
here's a pic of the front with the EL Wire in place.
jyhash
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Twinight, I'm really digging your build. :eek It seems like it's easy enough to do if I start now and work towards getting it done by the 17th.
2 questions though:
1) How are you initially gluing down the pieces of foam to connect them together? Modge Podge or something else?
2) how are you getting the grooves and channels in the armor? By just building up with layers or are you carving them out after it is all glued together?
Thanks, and can't wait to see your finished product!
~JYH
PS: :confused Acutually a few more questions- where did you get your EL that has the little flag edges? Can you punture those edges without losing light to the wire? Are they soldered to the inverter/driver or are they quick connect? How many feet are you using?
Twinight, I'm really digging your build. :eek It seems like it's easy enough to do if I start now and work towards getting it done by the 17th.
2 questions though:
1) How are you initially gluing down the pieces of foam to connect them together? Modge Podge or something else?
2) how are you getting the grooves and channels in the armor? By just building up with layers or are you carving them out after it is all glued together?
Thanks, and can't wait to see your finished product!
~JYH
PS: :confused Acutually a few more questions- where did you get your EL that has the little flag edges? Can you punture those edges without losing light to the wire? Are they soldered to the inverter/driver or are they quick connect? How many feet are you using?
twinight
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
I spent 3 weeks and probably 60 hours on it, so it is doable if you spend every spare time you have on it. It can be as simple or complicated as you make it. I started out thinking I was going to glue panels onto a lycra undersuit which would have been easier. Making a form fitting suit out of foam took a lot of trial and trimming.
The whole thing is layered using 3mm and 1/4" foam sheets cut to size. The channels are created by layering of panels. I made sure to leave the outer 1/2" of each panel unglued so I can glue the Tail EL Wire in after painting.
The flags are just plastic and are just for sewing or mounting. You can cut them completely off and the wire will still light up. Thatscoolwire.com is where I got the tail wire. I estimate that I will use about 40' total.
I have used 40 hot glue stick so far gluing all the pieces together with a high temp gun.
I spent 3 weeks and probably 60 hours on it, so it is doable if you spend every spare time you have on it. It can be as simple or complicated as you make it. I started out thinking I was going to glue panels onto a lycra undersuit which would have been easier. Making a form fitting suit out of foam took a lot of trial and trimming.
The whole thing is layered using 3mm and 1/4" foam sheets cut to size. The channels are created by layering of panels. I made sure to leave the outer 1/2" of each panel unglued so I can glue the Tail EL Wire in after painting.
The flags are just plastic and are just for sewing or mounting. You can cut them completely off and the wire will still light up. Thatscoolwire.com is where I got the tail wire. I estimate that I will use about 40' total.
I have used 40 hot glue stick so far gluing all the pieces together with a high temp gun.
SUESYLVESTER
New Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
How do you wire the EL wire in separate areas like that? you have to strip them and make new connections?
How do you wire the EL wire in separate areas like that? you have to strip them and make new connections?
jyhash
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Yeah, I'd probably end up getting an UnderArmor shirt and glue directly to that. But I'm guessing I'd need to build up all the layers first on a body dummy, then plastidip it then modgepodge it, THEN glue it to the shirt. I'm going the route of a Sam Flynn type suit, so that hopefully will lessen the amount of body armor needed, but I'm assuming not by much. I looked for the tail EL wire But they don't have it in the color I'm looking for (plus the colors I did find don't come pre soldered, so that makes the point moot). Tonight it's off to michaels to price foamies and start makin this thing. Thanks for the help, Twinight.
~JYH
Yeah, I'd probably end up getting an UnderArmor shirt and glue directly to that. But I'm guessing I'd need to build up all the layers first on a body dummy, then plastidip it then modgepodge it, THEN glue it to the shirt. I'm going the route of a Sam Flynn type suit, so that hopefully will lessen the amount of body armor needed, but I'm assuming not by much. I looked for the tail EL wire But they don't have it in the color I'm looking for (plus the colors I did find don't come pre soldered, so that makes the point moot). Tonight it's off to michaels to price foamies and start makin this thing. Thanks for the help, Twinight.
~JYH
Aeneas2020
New Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
although i'm new here this is def one of the more impressive builds i've seen keep up the great work!
although i'm new here this is def one of the more impressive builds i've seen keep up the great work!
macross22
New Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Dude that looks amazing, are you going to the Downtown Disney amc for the midnight showing?
Thanks, It's running on a single 8 AA /12v inverter, so I expect about 8 hours if it draws 8ma per meter. The disk will probably run even longer with only 1 meter of EL wire. The LED's probably draw quite a bit of current(maybe 1 continuous hour), but it is only active when I am holding the disk in my hand.
here's a pic of the front with the EL Wire in place.
Dude that looks amazing, are you going to the Downtown Disney amc for the midnight showing?
blackfeathers
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
twinight, congrats on the amazing job you've accomplished with this costume and disc!
since the disc is having issues staying on the back securely with high activity, i would probably consider another back mount that sticks out a bit more to help support it. perhaps figure a way to add a bit of 'friction'/snug fit, seamless mechanical latch or notch in addition to the magnets?
similar to your approach, i had the same idea of adhering foam to foam to make the channels and lines. for material i am thinking about high density closed cell 1/4" foam sheets similar to craft foam. however the curvature of the legs and arms has me concerned about the two layers eventually peeling or coming apart with regular use.
is hot glue good enough? i've been considering gorrilla glue since i like that it's not water soluble (from what i understand, and so that it would be one less thing to worry about regardless of sealing it). i also have e-6000 and a hot glue gun but looking at other options to find a reliable one.
unfortunately i don't have materials to test the glue on at the moment since the place i'm getting it from is out of stock of the reasonably sized sheets. awaiting availability of many things before proceeding.
also, i'm not building an entire suit. just something small at the moment -a part here and there, as this is all a learning process. then i'll go from there once i get a process going and techniques down. all experimental.
twinight, congrats on the amazing job you've accomplished with this costume and disc!
since the disc is having issues staying on the back securely with high activity, i would probably consider another back mount that sticks out a bit more to help support it. perhaps figure a way to add a bit of 'friction'/snug fit, seamless mechanical latch or notch in addition to the magnets?
similar to your approach, i had the same idea of adhering foam to foam to make the channels and lines. for material i am thinking about high density closed cell 1/4" foam sheets similar to craft foam. however the curvature of the legs and arms has me concerned about the two layers eventually peeling or coming apart with regular use.
is hot glue good enough? i've been considering gorrilla glue since i like that it's not water soluble (from what i understand, and so that it would be one less thing to worry about regardless of sealing it). i also have e-6000 and a hot glue gun but looking at other options to find a reliable one.
unfortunately i don't have materials to test the glue on at the moment since the place i'm getting it from is out of stock of the reasonably sized sheets. awaiting availability of many things before proceeding.
also, i'm not building an entire suit. just something small at the moment -a part here and there, as this is all a learning process. then i'll go from there once i get a process going and techniques down. all experimental.
twinight
Active Member
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
Thanks for all the comments. I should have it done by weeks end. I have only the shoulders and shin pads/boots to wire up. The thigh pads will just be layered foam held on with straps.
Suesylvester, there are about 12 separate sections of EL wire. With foam, it's easy to poke a hole, run it behind the costume and pop it back out where it's visible, much like stitching. Soldering the EL wire is not too hard. You have to be very careful stripping the poly jacket and insulation as not to nick the 2 very thin outer wires. I cut all the wire to length and hot glue the them together side-by side so the lead and el wire are one piece. I then twist/wrap the wires together and solder. Then I encase the entire thing in hot glue, so there is no possibility of the wires flexing and breaking.
Macross, I'll be wearing to the universal city walk 7pm showing. As for midnight at downtown disney, I don't think I'm going. I'll be driving back from texas the previous 48 hours and will be too tired. It would be fun to hit up electronic if a few others would go in costume too.
Blackfeathers, I relocated the magnets to the outside of the disk holder, and cut down the bottom nubs on the disk(I know, a travesty). Now the magnets are close enough to each other to actually feel like it locks in place. It's still easy to remove though. A friction fit is not a good combination with magnets, since the magnets may not seat. Another idea was to create a lip on the edge where the disk would have to be pushed past and then the magnets would seat the disk afterward. It would keep the disk from sliding off if the magnetic bond got knocked loose. As for running in costume, I have not tested it yet.
Hot glue is plenty strong for the EVS foam. With high temp, the foam will tear before the glue comes apart. Foam is so porous that the glue soaks in, making for a permanent bond. If the closed cell foam has a shiny finish, the glue may not bond is well, since it cannot soak into the pores of the foam.
To curve the foam, I use a heat gun, and if you layer the foam, the laminating of the sheets on a curve will ensure that the curve is permanent.
Thanks for all the comments. I should have it done by weeks end. I have only the shoulders and shin pads/boots to wire up. The thigh pads will just be layered foam held on with straps.
Suesylvester, there are about 12 separate sections of EL wire. With foam, it's easy to poke a hole, run it behind the costume and pop it back out where it's visible, much like stitching. Soldering the EL wire is not too hard. You have to be very careful stripping the poly jacket and insulation as not to nick the 2 very thin outer wires. I cut all the wire to length and hot glue the them together side-by side so the lead and el wire are one piece. I then twist/wrap the wires together and solder. Then I encase the entire thing in hot glue, so there is no possibility of the wires flexing and breaking.
Macross, I'll be wearing to the universal city walk 7pm showing. As for midnight at downtown disney, I don't think I'm going. I'll be driving back from texas the previous 48 hours and will be too tired. It would be fun to hit up electronic if a few others would go in costume too.
Blackfeathers, I relocated the magnets to the outside of the disk holder, and cut down the bottom nubs on the disk(I know, a travesty). Now the magnets are close enough to each other to actually feel like it locks in place. It's still easy to remove though. A friction fit is not a good combination with magnets, since the magnets may not seat. Another idea was to create a lip on the edge where the disk would have to be pushed past and then the magnets would seat the disk afterward. It would keep the disk from sliding off if the magnetic bond got knocked loose. As for running in costume, I have not tested it yet.
Hot glue is plenty strong for the EVS foam. With high temp, the foam will tear before the glue comes apart. Foam is so porous that the glue soaks in, making for a permanent bond. If the closed cell foam has a shiny finish, the glue may not bond is well, since it cannot soak into the pores of the foam.
To curve the foam, I use a heat gun, and if you layer the foam, the laminating of the sheets on a curve will ensure that the curve is permanent.
Re: Tron Legacy Guard Concept costume (WIP)
that...looks...AMAZING! Incredible work! I did some EL wire for my nephews mini foamshep costume I made him for halloween, and I remember how awkward it could be trying to get it to hold the shapes I wanted in the foam, and looking at your work...wow. Especially for the circles on the hips, what you did looks like a great solution to hold it in place. The chest details look great too.
I can't wait to see the finished piece.
that...looks...AMAZING! Incredible work! I did some EL wire for my nephews mini foamshep costume I made him for halloween, and I remember how awkward it could be trying to get it to hold the shapes I wanted in the foam, and looking at your work...wow. Especially for the circles on the hips, what you did looks like a great solution to hold it in place. The chest details look great too.
I can't wait to see the finished piece.
