Batsignal over Gotham - Finished & Focused

[dijon30]

I've always been a Bat Fan... and finally finished my suit to where I think I can leave it alone.



But I need a Batgirl and Robin to complete the team... Still W.I.P.



The current prop project: A functional, portable Bat Signal. Re-purposed 24" bass drum, recycled fiberglass sled from first my Cap Shield, clearance Christmas tree stand and PVC fittings. Bat will be cut from HDPE black sheeting and mounted on the clear acrylic sheet. Light source is still in flux. Should have the basic structure assembled this week.

 

[44arpeggios]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham

This is exciting! awesome costumes by the way. i like the TDK, Arkham City Hybrid.

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham

Thank you Sir. Cut the Signal Emblem out today (not really liking Exacto knives right now...)

Tested the shell with a 500 watt work lamp. This was the result.

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham

The stand requires some more tweaking: going to use some 45 degree elbows to streamline the look down to the base. The halogen light gets too hot even with vented holes so I'm going to play with LED lights and hope for the same effect.

 

[Richard Knight]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham

Love the Bat sign!

 

[Etriganmx]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham

Robin looks adorable, but I'm sure he's ready for battle

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham

Robin looks adorable, but I'm sure he's ready for battle

Appreciate the comments. He is a spark plug for sure.

Finished the signal arms tonight to where I want them. Body pivots to about a 45 degree angle.
Replaced the 500 watt halogen oven with a 200-halogen-equivalent LED work lamp (actually rated at max 35-watt). Cannot feel any significant heat radiating.



Projection: First 7 feet from wall. Second 12 feet from angled ceiling.



Still need to attach the Bat screen more securely and paint the body metallic grey. Overall, I think it is structurally and functionally there.

 

[JBradley]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

Awesome stuff! I've been thinking about bat signals a lot lately

 

[Abelugo]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

dude, that batsignal rocks, that would be great for a party. great job.

 

[JBradley]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

How'd you get the shadow so crisp? I'm having issues getting mine in focus.

 

[Creator1326]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

A single point source light source will give a crisp shadow. The sun is a point source as an example. LEDs are a point source light, maybe a super bright LED flashlight.

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

How'd you get the shadow so crisp? I'm having issues getting mine in focus.

I had problems at first too when I set my LED lamp into the shell horizontally. When I rotated it to sit vertically, I got the results above. Creator1326 has a good point of a single light source. I would be interested in what you ultimately find to work for your signal.

 

[Norrin Radical]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

For a crisper shadow at a longer distance, you should try what photographers call a "honeycomb snoot". It won't give you the clean bat on the whitebackground when someone faces the light, but it should give you much more range on your signal.

Here's what a professional one looks like:


But you can also make one using black sipping straws:



DIY Photography Hacks: boost your flash with foam and Velcro | Digital Camera World

Might be worth a shot.

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Finished

The thaw finally came so that I could finish this Night Light.



To celebrate the occasion, we both threw on our Bat Gear.



We will eventually take it downtown to get a more urban, rooftop photo op. We are both pretty psyched that it is finally done.

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Projection

A single point source light source will give a crisp shadow. The sun is a point source as an example. LEDs are a point source light, maybe a super bright LED flashlight.

This will probably be my next adaptation as I am using a dual bulb. The result is a ghost image from the overlapping Bats, but I kind of dig that for now. This is the entire north side of my garage.

 

[Knight Falcon]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Finished

Looks awesome!

 

[dijon30]

Re: Batsignal over Gotham - Finished

Tonight I placed some electrical tape over one of the dual LED lights and everything came into focus...

 

[Polkadeth]

Very impressive look. Nice work dijon30!
Thank you for sharing your bat signal project, it has inspired me to build my own. I am attempting on making mine oscillate as well as tilt, but we shall see how that goes. I was wondering if you would be willing to share how you connected your PVC to the drum allowing it to tilt. The esthetics on your build are so clean that I can not see anything obvious in the photos.
Thanks!