Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch - Fallout 3

[zookone]

Posting my first project since joining this forum. I'm working on Pip-Boy 3000 that is modeled specifically to hold a 2nd gen iPod touch. I've cut it into 4 pieces, counting the knob. I looking to get it 3D printed and then make some molds. I still need to model the second half of the Pip-Boy which the hand plate and knob that go on top of the hand.

I created the model from a 3D capture from Fallout 3 and then remodeled the whole thing using the capture as an underlay. I've started it over and over trying to the geometry nice and clean.

I want to add volume control and little speaker for the iPod using the Pip-Boy knob. Does anyone know any good tutorials for wiring something like this up? I could not find anything that applicable online.

 

[Art Andrews]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

I am sure some members here will be able to help you. The question is, how do you plan to take this from 3D to real world?

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

I am sure some members here will be able to help you. The question is, how do you plan to take this from 3D to real world?

Propably gonna have it 3D printed. Using a ZBuilder Ultra. If not that system then probably the cheaper regular ZCorp print & then make some molds. A Pip-boy is about 6-7 inches long so it is within the build size limitations.

http://www.zcorp.com/documents/900_9032-ZBuilderBroch6%20FINAL%20ENGLISH.pdf

 

[Drewid]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

For my Pipboy build (which is feeling neglected right now), I'm using a voice amp to drive the speaker. I replaced the stock speaker with a slightly smaller and more powerful unit.





I need to desolder the volume control from the circuit board and add jumper wires. It's a total of four wires for this mod. I stalled out on this project because I was having problems fitting the Pipboy to my arm. I ended up making an expansion piece out of Sculpy, but I'm still having problems fitting all the electronics in.

 

[Faeelin]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

How is the process going?

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

A couple pictures of the Pip-Boy 3000 Handplate I've been working on, to round out the complete Pip-Boy 3000...

Render of Game model:



Finished Piece:

I tweaked the ingame model a bit to touch up some of the curves and then created a Pep Model. I built the paper model with the tabs on the outside. Poured Casting Resin inside the paper mold. Added a couple paper and wood bits, lots of primer, milliput putty and sanding later, it came out pretty good. The holes are for stainless screws and bolts. I'm going to make a silicone mold next.

 

[Gorgot3000]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

a friend of mine was made this in fun foam

http://files.fullmetalsam.com/system_preview_detail_200001880-12d5013cf0-public/P2040175.jpg

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Some images of the resin slush cast of the Pip-Boy 3000 hand plate. I made a 2 part silicone mold however the mold release did not work at all. I ended up having to cut into the mold to split it. So There us a bit more flashing then I hoped for but it does not take long to clean up. The mold for the knob is still curing. Next I'll be posting photos of the painted version.

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Update, photos of the painted resin cast...

I used a combination of spray paint, ink washes, air brush and drybrushing.

Pip-Boy 3000 Hand Plate:

 

[Usiel]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

That is a beautiful rendering of the Pip -Boy 3000. Very beautiful.

 

[RB26]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

I want one when you're done!

 

[clancampbell]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Incredible stuff!

 

[RB26]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

So how long do you think it'll be before the Pip Boy get made all non-virtual?

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Actually, glad you asked. It is being brought to life as I type. The model is being printed at and I should have the model next week. After that there will be sanding and mold making. The top piece for the pip-boy is going to be a interesting 2 part mold. I'm about a month or so off from having casts ready. I'll post photos of the pip-boy progress once it kicks off again.

I'm also working on the handfull of other vault suit costume parts, belt and should stuff. The threads for those are over at wastelandoutpost.com.

Took for ever to model thing, A couple spots really hung me up.

I've made a few tweeks since the previous renderings

 

[Skruffy]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Very interesting project! I can't wait to see more progress!!

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Well, hmmm. Partial Delivery. My order seems to have been messed up. I only got 1 out my 4 parts today. But the main body of the Pip-Boy arrived today and looks great. Great detail in the print.

 

[Xyborg]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Stunning work, zookone! It's simply beautiful.

 

[Majonaise]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Excellent work! The printed part that arrived and the backhand bit done the old fashioned way both look great.

I'd definitelly wanna make some of the control's work if I were making one. Drewid's approach of controlling an amp's output with a pot hooked up to the knob is the simplest way of doing so.

The ipod's connector doesn't have any pins that you could simply short to control it's volume, so you'd have to get your hands dirty with a microcontroller, using that to speak to it in serial. I'm 99% sure someone's already come up with a library for the ubiquitous arduino to help with that though. I believe different versions of the ipod have had different pinouts though; not sure about itouches and iphones...

 

[Majonaise]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

David Findlay has done a good ammount of work on ipod serial control:
a man, a plan, a cake: nirvana - the web log


ooh, i was only thinking of the bottom connector, Come to think of it, the new ones can be controlled thru a port on the jack. Not sure if it's serial, resistor logic, or what, but you can get little controlers for that cheap amazon

And could surely solder onto the volume switches on it.

 

[zookone]

Re: Custom Pip-Boy 3000 for iPod Touch

Thanks for the info on the ipod stuff. That opens up a whole new world of possibilities. At the very least, I'm planning to connect up one of those amps to the control knob. The inside of the pip-boy model has been recessed to accept a RadioShack mini volume control, perfectly... if I measured right. So far it appears I was really close on my measurements. the ipod pressure fits very securly right in.