Iron Man Helmets, a real "poke in the eye"!

[Kris Lyssara]

When I was looking at reference photos a while back, the hero suit used in some of the promo pics (as opposed to the digital one used for the poster referenced above), had a few telling details that I also noticed on the Mk. II suit's promo photos (and HD screenshots).

Six or seven (not positive) LEDs per eye, mounted above the eye, with an angled mirror directing the light out. White translucent acrylic between the LEDs and the mirror to diffuse the light. Clear lens over all of this, probably with a gap at the bottom to allow the wearer to see. Then a gap, then the faceplate. I'll try and get some shots up to show exactly what I'm talking about, but it's most evident on the Mk. II promotional image; you can count the lens flares from the LEDs in the eye. I know that there's at least six there, and I think I count a seventh, but I'm not sure.

I haven't built this yet (though I've got the parts; I just need to get around to it at this point). It *might* be possible to use a one-way mirror to increase the field of vision, but I'm not sure. I will be testing it when I build it, though.

 

[Bimmer]

No they are not my own personal works, they are the CGI files for Iron man and War machine from the movie. And i think both your "poster" and "sideshow" (which is also a promotional poster image) have the same or extremely similar methods of eye detailing as both are digital renderings and not physical helmet pieces.

a quick comparison -

 

[Spidey7]

Ceric, thanks for that fabulous info. I'm definitely excited to see the pictures you have to share. How can I "sweet-talk" you into actually making it so we can see your work?

Bimmer, I see what you mean, although you have to admit that the first pic looks WICKED deeply recessed. I'll try to find a better pic of the "Sideshow" eye to serve as an example. BTW, how are your castings coming along? You made some beautiful pieces but then I remember you were having some issues with casting such small pieces. Did you even have any success?

 

[MCL34N]

...Six or seven (not positive) LEDs per eye, mounted above the eye, with an angled mirror directing the light out. White translucent acrylic between the LEDs and the mirror to diffuse the light. Clear lens over all of this, probably with a gap at the bottom to allow the wearer to see.

Funny you should say that, that's actually how I did my LEDs, here are some pics (Forgive the messy wiring, I was using LEDs from tap lights.

 

[Spidey7]

Nice work! Do you have any pics of the effect when lit?

 

[MCL34N]

The one I posted above is the best one I have because honestly this thing is pretty bright. All of my other pics are all flared. I think the next time I do this I'm only doing 4 LEDs per eye. I'll post the one from above again

 

[Spidey7]

It does mimic the effect REALLY well. Plus, if you can see out of it then THIS is the way to go for Cos-Players!

 

[Kris Lyssara]

You can sweet-talk me into building it by doing my homework for me for all my classes for the next few weeks. Between now and the end of the semester, I've only got time for my two Republic Commando helmet builds, and that's because I'm getting paid for one of 'em (and the other one is my test helmet).

 

[Spidey7]

I WOULD do that, 'cept I'm buried in my own Clinical rotations and end-of-semester Finals.

Still, I can't wait until you build it.

 

[jaymay023]

I have some videos on you tube about eye lighting, not the best as far as accurate movie wise but for cosplay and costume wearer the visibility is better then the bottom reveal trick.

Peppers Ghost Eye Lighting Part 1
Peppers Ghost Eye Lighting Part 2

I have another video of the regular style more accurate display type lighting uploading on youtube right now and should be up soon.

I really quick tip with LEDs and reflective material, white works A LOT better then silver at reflecting LED light. Its a different light wave spectrum then incandescent style lights..

Cheers,

JayMay

 

[masked rider]

Geat achieve on IM eyes guys , ill prepare some of pics and share ....

 

[TMP]

Think Steve did a good job on his helmet, note the suit he is wearing is the Gen2. He is finishing his new Gen3.V2 as we speak. I look forward to se photos of the suit.

Here is a photo of me and Richie. Richie has the brightest of eyes i seen.

Joern also have some amazing eyes for his setup. I belive they are as near as bright as Richie.

This is my own suit, but i am going to replace all of my lights.

Here is the Jarvis upgraded helmet among the other relics.

Here are some other photos of the helmets, when we offerd them in a limited run.

Variouse display and promo shots.
WETA:

STUNT SUIT:

ORIGINAL MK2 suit:

AUDI COMERCIAL:

But remember the original armor that was used for the stunt and almost not used at all in the movies has entirely different from what you se CGI in movie and in promo posters of even display statues.

The stunt suit has a cut open half moon bellow the eyes so the wearer can se directly out from the mask. No glass, or plastic, its cut directly trough.

So it comes down to how you want it to look. And i said this in the past as well. Do you want it to look like one specific poster, one movie shot or as a stunt suit, And then what suit is reffered to. Because if we look behind the scenes in some cases they dont wear any facemask because its cgi in afterwards.

I would say all we se from the movie is right, and equally wrong. Its up to each person to chose if he wants to go Movie suit, CGI suit, Promo poster... Its differences trough most of the shots.

 

[masked rider]

Great point John , There are always different between CGI , real suit and Stunt suit in most movies.

By done lots of research from by sideshow bust , pics of the tour real suit , we create the lenses like this , u can wear it for cosplay by see thought the slit under the white lenses . Even for display that u wont notice the slit .


The inner build of my lenses :

2 inner piece cast in resin

and white acrylic glue on it and leaving a slit for viewing . I used LED strips light which is 3 LEDs in each eye , sit on top of the white plastic card but im not satisfy with the brightness . I got a set of lights kit from DarkJerre and also Darkside , they both did great job on LED lights kit . I will try to install on both of my helmets and share with all later .

Also did a curve version of the lenses :

 

[chuckyAPP]

Maskedrider those black resin eye pieces are super. Ever consider selling sets of those?

 

[ROBOSTEVE 0671]

Leslee (Masked Rider's) work nails it for me, It's sharp and precise and the detail works, you can see out ok and this same look works perfect for display also.

In the pic above where I'm wearing the Gen1 / 2? I used small cardboard boxes that I scratch built, I painted the back of those with black paint to stop the reflection and then I lined them inside with tin foil to reflect just one large LED that was lit from the inner corner of each eye. I got a good looking effect but visibility was a real headache lol.

The new route I'm taking it to use one of Masked Riders MkIV helmets and the ye set up he has there as it's clean and works a treat. like I say for display or for wearing, I find if you pad the back of the inside of the lid to bring the faceplate nearer to the eyes, you can see a lot more out of them, depending on big your head is of course. :thumbsup

 

[ROBOSTEVE 0671]

Great thread by the way! Very handy :thumbsup

 

[jaymay023]

Excellent info so far guys thanks! This is ending up to be quite an informative thread.

I've been playing with a few different designs over the past few months. I did a video on how I ended up creating my eye pods and yes it's still a work in progress. I'm currently working on integrating hinge points for faceplate movement on the lighting rig. A nice little two in one solution.


YouTube - Iron Man Eye Lighting Creation


For the video deprived here are some pics of what I use.

LED's
LEDs are powered using 3 AAA batteries in series so they are running at the native 3 volts. For display only set ups I run them resistored and at 12 volts. I prefer the smaller style LEDs as they are super bright and because of the small profile. Less space and more room to diffuse the LED light.

As mentioned above white is the optimal color for reflecting LED light. Shiney stuff sucks for reflecting or bouncing LED light(yes Ive seen plenty of LED flashlights with chrome in the reflector housing, I think thats just a throwback from the incandescent bulb flashlights).

Usually you need a maximum of 1/4 of an inch space to diffuse the light or you will get hotspots from the LED. Cameras always show LEDs as very bright spots and usually washes out any of the hotspots in the picture but with the naked eye you can see them clear as day. An example of hotspots would be TMP's Mark II, in some of the pics you can see the blue LED's and the points of light that emanate from them. Don't get me wrong, the lights look awesome, just using it as an example of LED hotspots.(Love your work John)

LED's

Lit

LED's lit installed in faceplate.

Lighting rig (eye-pod)

I myself prefer the closer and curved lens look as opposed to something that's too far back and flat. My lighting rig was made to have a very small profile. only 1/4 inch thick (distance from inside faceplate to top of lighting rig) and an inch to an inch and a quarter tall (area from 1/4 inch below eye socket to 1/4 inch above eye socket.). The reason for the small profile is to accomadate the faceplate hinge system.


Back of the lighting rig

Front of rig (still roughing it out)

Unfortunately, just like faceplate hinges, eye lighting kits will vary in width and height depending on what helmet it was made for. The rig for the Mark V barely fits the old style War machine and definitely wont fit on the newer larger war machine I have.
As for lenses, experimentation is the best way to find out what what works best. I started with the lids from bondo containers, then moved up from there. Optimally fiber optic material would be the best, but costly compared to regular plastic sheets.

 

[Spidey7]

WOW!!!! I miss a day or two and this thread EXPLODES with awesomeness!!!! I can't believe some of the cool stuff that I'm seeing in here!

Masked Rider, those resin frames are SICK! I don't know if you sell those separately, but you SHOULD!

TMP: Those are some beautiful reference photos, and I love your suit! Those pics will REALLY come in handy. (It must have taken you FOREVER to upload all of those! THANKS so much!)

RoboSteve: I really like your scratch-build idea for cos-play. It seems like it would be functional but also look really impressive in live/convention situations.

JayMay: Your videos are crazy cool! I think that the glow is plenty bright, and the fact that you can still see out of it with that level of incandescence is excellent. It sounds like you and RoboSteve are working on variations of a common theme. You should put your heads together and colaborate.

Anyway, I'm absolutely FLOORED by all of the GREAT stuff that I've seen in here. I'd LOVE to see some more close-ups of guy's "light boxes" for the eyes, and especially Masked Rider's wicked resin eye frames, (if it's a "trade secret", I'll understand. lol).

Keep up the great work guys. I can't WAIT to start experimenting on my "Finny" lid with some of your techniques! Anyone getting any closer on figuring out the colors, (including "rattle can" for those of us not lucky enough to have access to an automotive paint-spray set-up), or the "brushed" look of the faceplate?

 

[ROBOSTEVE 0671]

Anyone getting any closer on figuring out the colors, (including "rattle can" for those of us not lucky enough to have access to an automotive paint-spray set-up), or the "brushed" look of the faceplate?

Spidey, I'll be painting my TMP V3 suit as soon as I can, once I do I'll share all the colours and tech that I use. :thumbsup

 

[Spidey7]

Spidey, I'll be painting my TMP V3 suit as soon as I can, once I do I'll share all the colours and tech that I use. :thumbsup

I can ALWAYS count on YOU, RoboSteve! That's why you're "The Closer"! :lol

Can't wait to see your work!