Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #5)!

[Zombiiesays]

Hello all,

I'm new to RPF but I am incredibly glad I found this place.

I've currently started making N7 armor for a Mass Effect cosplay. So far, I've only managed to make progress on the guns but I am very close to starting on the armor. However, I'd like to gather some information from those of you who have attempted this costume or something similar in the past.

My main problem right now is how to create those deep trenches that run along various parts of the armor (specifically the front torso piece; abdomen). Please see the picture below as a reference. (Note: I did not make that armor. The image does not belong to me. See: EvilFX. )

Spoiler

Does anyone know a way to create this without the use of a router tool (I don't have access to one)? I'm assuming I can try and dremmel it out but I'd rather not if there is an easier way. I wanted to refrain from cutting each piece out individually and pasting it on a black lower foam layer but that might be my only option.

Thanks in advance!

Also, here are some progression pictures. Like I said, I've been primarily working on the guns.








From Left to Right: Sanded and primed Nerf guns, First layer of paint for M-29 Incisor, Front torso template, Back torso template, various templates plus mess ups, Detailing for M-29 Incisor, Semi-finished result for M-29 Insicor, M-99 Saber first coat, and M-9 Tempest (plus me)!

If you have any questions about the guns, I'd be more than happy to answer them! If you haven't figured it out, they are Nerf guns.

Thanks again!

 

[Deelite]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

You don't need a router tool to do the groves. A hot hobby knife or even a soldering iron can create them for you. That's what I did for my N7 Armor.

You just go over your lines several times.

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

You don't need a router tool to do the groves. A hot hobby knife or even a soldering iron can create them for you. That's what I did for my N7 Armor.

You just go over your lines several times.

I have a hot knife and a hot Exacto knife. However, when I tested that technique on the practice foam yesterday it came out pretty rough. The lines themselves aren't really the problem, it's making the indent without completely cutting through but still getting the piece out clean. I'm not really sure if that's possible without a router and routing table. :\

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Freya Willia]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

A hot hobby knife or even a soldering iron can create them for you.

That's what I'd do if I made my armor out of foam. I think a hot knife would be best.

Edit: I'd find/cut something the same curve/shape as the cut I wanted to indent, and guide the tool through that, slicing at a 45 degree angle on both passes to make a V shape.

 

[Deelite]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

Practice really. I was able to get smooth lines by simply going slowly with a soldering iron.

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

Practice really. I was able to get smooth lines by simply going slowly with a soldering iron.

Just to clarify, did you cut all the way through or are we both talking about making a sort of indent in the armor with the piece still staying intact?

 

[Deelite]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

No, I didn't cut all the way through (there is no need to). Just enough to score the surface enough to create the lines.

I'm not talking about seams (the meeting of two foam pieces together). Just the detail lines, like around the breast area.

here is a thread suggesting the same thing:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/n7-lines-foam-151282/

this guy did it completely on the smooth side of the foam:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/n7-lines-foam-151282/#post2368572

Used a shelf liner mat as a template for the "carbon fiber" look when he sprayed painted it:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KCs51sXJlII/TQzSHRt7fMI/AAAAAAAAAbc/iXwemSUp6-Y/s1600/DSC_0009-1-1.jpg

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor and Weapons (Help!)

No, I didn't cut all the way through (there is no need to). Just enough to score the surface enough to create the lines.

I'm not talking about seams (the meeting of two foam pieces together). Just the detail lines, like around the breast area.

here is a thread suggesting the same thing:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/n7-lines-foam-151282/

this guy did it completely on the smooth side of the foam:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/n7-lines-foam-151282/#post2368572

Used a shelf liner mat as a template for the "carbon fiber" look when he sprayed painted it:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KCs51sXJlII/TQzSHRt7fMI/AAAAAAAAAbc/iXwemSUp6-Y/s1600/DSC_0009-1-1.jpg

You're amazing. These links are awesome. I really appreciate the help.
Do you have a link to your Mass Effect cosplay? I clicked the link in your signature but wasn't working (for me, at least). I'd love to check it out.

 

[Laika]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

If you want fine lines on foam you can make a cut about 2 or 3mm deep on the surface of the foam with a sharp regular knife like an xacto (use a steel rule to guide straight cuts) and heat it for a about 30 seconds with a heat gun, the cut will split apart giving you a fine groove in the foam. You can widden the groove a bit with a biro or a steel rule, but you won't get a line as deep or as wide as a dremel or a hot knife, but it is easier. I did the lines on my mass effect armour that way. its worth a try on a piece of scrap foam anyway.

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

If you want fine lines on foam you can make a cut about 2 or 3mm deep on the surface of the foam with a sharp regular knife like an xacto (use a steel rule to guide straight cuts) and heat it for a about 30 seconds with a heat gun, the cut will split apart giving you a fine groove in the foam. You can widden the groove a bit with a biro or a steel rule, but you won't get a line as deep or as wide as a dremel or a hot knife, but it is easier. I did the lines on my mass effect armour that way. its worth a try on a piece of scrap foam anyway.

I'll definitely give this technique a shot. Thank you for the information.

 

[panterateama]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Cant wait to see more of this, the M99 is one of my favs

 

[akufadum]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

My two cents...

I have done many grooves with just a rotary tool (dremel) with a flex arm. Use one of the "grinding" or "sharpening" attachments.

 

[Strickler]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Zombiiesays depending on the thickness of your foam a simpler way would be to cut out the shapes you want and glue them onto another piece of foam. Displaying the groove without having to create a trench in the foam.

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Cant wait to see more of this, the M99 is one of my favs

Thank you! Sorry I was MIA for a bit. Work.
Should be working on it this weekend, though!

- - - Updated - - -

My two cents...

I have done many grooves with just a rotary tool (dremel) with a flex arm. Use one of the "grinding" or "sharpening" attachments.

I have the flex arm so I think this is the way I am going to go. I appreciate the feedback!

@Zombiiesays depending on the thickness of your foam a simpler way would be to cut out the shapes you want and glue them onto another piece of foam. Displaying the groove without having to create a trench in the foam.

I thought about this too. I wanted to do it, initially but my friend pointed out this could compromise the integrity of the piece and I don't want to risk it. Thank you, though!

 

[Strickler]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

I thought about this too. I wanted to do it, initially but my friend pointed out this could compromise the integrity of the piece and I don't want to risk it. Thank you, though!

Then the soldering or hot knife might work a bit better, you could always try resting it on something that way you won't accidentally go all the way through it. Also if it is coming out rough you can always use a low grit sandpaper to make it a bit smoother. :thumbsup

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Hey everyone! I've updated the original post with some more progression pictures. SDCC is next week and I still need to paint, dremmel, and shape some final pieces. Crunch time! <3

 

[Emmabellish]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Sweet! I'll be going to SDCC as Aria on Saturday. Hopefully I will see you there!

Your build is looking awesome so far!

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Sweet! I'll be going to SDCC as Aria on Saturday. Hopefully I will see you there!

Your build is looking awesome so far!

Badass! Did you go to Anime Expo in LA too? I think I saw your picture!
I hope we bump into each other. <3

 

[Emmabellish]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Haha, yes! That was me!

 

[Zombiiesays]

Re: Mass Effect Femshep Armor, Incisor, Tempest, and Saber (Update #1)!

Haha, yes! That was me!

Looking good! You made it on Kotaku!
You did some great work. <3