MatterMaker
Well-Known Member
I'm jumping into the fray!
I spent some time working in a local machine shop and have worked on quite a few really interesting projects, including props for a couple upcoming films. The shop has two enormous CNC machines and two equally enormous injection moulding machines. I worked mainly as a 3D modeller but spent a good chunk of time on the shop floor as well, helping out when extra hands were required. It was a great experience and one I hope to repeat as the need arises.
Working in this shop has inspired me to no end and as such, I've now begun work on my latest and greatest project. I've made a number of props in the past, out of many different materials, including wood, plastic, EPA foam, to name a few. I'd been searching for a new project which would capitalize on my experience in the shop and I found it in Episode 7.
The LPA model NN-14 Blaster.
If you're familiar with the latest Star Wars movie; the 4th Star Wars film ever made. You will undoubtedly be familiar with the blaster that Han Solo gives to Rey for her protection.
Here is my list of criteria for my NN-14 Blaster build:
Hero Prop accuracy in look as well as material
Full sound and lighting integration
Fully functioning logic (on the FX front)
High build quality (when you pick it up, I want it to feel real.)
Heft (aluminum, while being a light metal, is still metal and pretty darn heavy)
So with all that in mind, I think the NN-14 is the perfect next project for me to tackle.
I will be recording the entire build here on The RPF for all you crazy prop nuts, myself included.
A note about 3D modelling. Solidworks is very expensive and luckly two of the places I do work for have multiple seats. My background is in Maya (having used it exclusively while in the video games industry) This build thread is not going to cover modelling techniques. There are countless video tutorials online for that already. If you ask me modelling questions, I will politely ignore you! I'm only going to show some of the modelling work... The majority of this thread will be in regards to the physical build progress.
Modelling the LPA NN-14
Reference, reference, reference. There was a recent exhibition of Star Wars props from the new movie. I believe it was in California? I am not 100% sure. What I am sure of, is that it was very very far away from where I live! Luckly, the amazing and resourceful members of TheRPF came through and took lots of reference photos at the event. A quick search for the blaster here on TheRPF brings up some great reference shots I'm constantly referring to. I will suggest if you're building your own version, stay away from the photo that can be found in the Star Wars Visual Dictionary. I believe it's from a cast model used in long shots. You can see what looks to be a mould line above the handgrip. I don't think it's the Hero Prop.
Here is my early progress on the model: (All of the CNC machining which will come later, will come from this model.)
As you can see, I've got the shape of the grip/trigger area done and have added the end plates for the charging chamber and some of the screw holes. I've decided on M3 and M4 size screws, the two tiny screws above the trigger pivot are M2.5 I think that's what I chose! (more about screws in a later post) There are 3 grip plates, on thicker center plate and two side plates, which you can see in the trigger guard.
More to come... Subscribe and stay tuned!
Thanks for following along.
MatterMaker.
Remember to check out my other build threads below!
I spent some time working in a local machine shop and have worked on quite a few really interesting projects, including props for a couple upcoming films. The shop has two enormous CNC machines and two equally enormous injection moulding machines. I worked mainly as a 3D modeller but spent a good chunk of time on the shop floor as well, helping out when extra hands were required. It was a great experience and one I hope to repeat as the need arises.
Working in this shop has inspired me to no end and as such, I've now begun work on my latest and greatest project. I've made a number of props in the past, out of many different materials, including wood, plastic, EPA foam, to name a few. I'd been searching for a new project which would capitalize on my experience in the shop and I found it in Episode 7.
The LPA model NN-14 Blaster.
If you're familiar with the latest Star Wars movie; the 4th Star Wars film ever made. You will undoubtedly be familiar with the blaster that Han Solo gives to Rey for her protection.
Here is my list of criteria for my NN-14 Blaster build:
Hero Prop accuracy in look as well as material
Full sound and lighting integration
Fully functioning logic (on the FX front)
High build quality (when you pick it up, I want it to feel real.)
Heft (aluminum, while being a light metal, is still metal and pretty darn heavy)
So with all that in mind, I think the NN-14 is the perfect next project for me to tackle.
I will be recording the entire build here on The RPF for all you crazy prop nuts, myself included.
A note about 3D modelling. Solidworks is very expensive and luckly two of the places I do work for have multiple seats. My background is in Maya (having used it exclusively while in the video games industry) This build thread is not going to cover modelling techniques. There are countless video tutorials online for that already. If you ask me modelling questions, I will politely ignore you! I'm only going to show some of the modelling work... The majority of this thread will be in regards to the physical build progress.
Modelling the LPA NN-14
Reference, reference, reference. There was a recent exhibition of Star Wars props from the new movie. I believe it was in California? I am not 100% sure. What I am sure of, is that it was very very far away from where I live! Luckly, the amazing and resourceful members of TheRPF came through and took lots of reference photos at the event. A quick search for the blaster here on TheRPF brings up some great reference shots I'm constantly referring to. I will suggest if you're building your own version, stay away from the photo that can be found in the Star Wars Visual Dictionary. I believe it's from a cast model used in long shots. You can see what looks to be a mould line above the handgrip. I don't think it's the Hero Prop.
Here is my early progress on the model: (All of the CNC machining which will come later, will come from this model.)
As you can see, I've got the shape of the grip/trigger area done and have added the end plates for the charging chamber and some of the screw holes. I've decided on M3 and M4 size screws, the two tiny screws above the trigger pivot are M2.5 I think that's what I chose! (more about screws in a later post) There are 3 grip plates, on thicker center plate and two side plates, which you can see in the trigger guard.
More to come... Subscribe and stay tuned!
Thanks for following along.
MatterMaker.
Remember to check out my other build threads below!
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