My 1:100 Corbelan IV props from Alien: Romulus

[Adam Miller]

Hey everyone! Let me introduce myself—I’m new to this forum, but I feel like I’ve found the right place. My name is Adam Miller, and I’m a passionate sci-fi fan. Beyond that, I’m well-versed in 3D printing and Autodesk Maya, which I use to bring my creative visions to life.

My love for sci-fi started early. As a kid, I went to see the first Alien movie starring Sigourney Weaver, and it was a mind-blowing experience. Fast forward to 2024, and Federico Álvarez has given us a stunning visual masterpiece that transported me right back to that sense of wonder.

What impressed me most in the new film was the main “character”—the ship Corbelan. To me, it felt like a spiritual child of the Nostromo with its side-hanging engines and gritty, industrial design. It was absolutely breathtaking, and I knew I had to add it to my collection.

Realizing no one else could bring this vision to life better than I could, I embarked on a journey to recreate it. I began by studying every single frame of the film, scouring all available information about the ship. My goal wasn’t just to replicate the incredible designs of Mathew Savage—though his concepts were invaluable—but to recreate the ship as it appeared on screen, immersing myself in its story alongside the film’s characters.

Now, it’s time to share my journey with you, friends. I’m excited to tell you the story of how Cobelan came to life in my hands and hear your thoughts!”

 

[Adam Miller]

The idea of creating a truly realistic model turned out to be more challenging than I initially thought. All three versions—the sketches, the studio model, and the one seen on screen—had noticeable differences. My original plan was to base the model entirely on studying every frame of the film, rather than relying on the general outlines of the studio model.

However, the studio model had very few shots available initially, and just when you think you’re done, new images pop up online, completely reshaping your understanding of the model and its design elements.

 

[Adam Miller]

My goal was to create a model that would bring joy to anyone printing it, regardless of the chosen sizе - whether it’s 10 inches or 10 feet. I ensured that the model could be fully illuminated, from the detailed cockpit and inner corridors to the ship’s navigation and exterior lights. Every element has been carefully designed to maintain its intricate details and provide a stunning visual effect, no matter the scale.

 

[Adam Miller]

Starting printing and assembly

 

[Adam Miller]

for the glasses i will use clear plastic paper from the office supply store

 

[joberg]

Off to a great start I'll follow your build for sure!

 

[Adam Miller]

Off to a great start I'll follow your build for sure!

Glad to hear it, then let's continue!

 

[Adam Miller]

The assembly is progressing slower than I’d like - theres just too little free time for this project. However, everything is moving according to plan. Additionally, a few minor modeling errors have been identified and corrected.

 

[Adam Miller]

Save capsule printed half of the way done

 

[joberg]

Looking very good

 

[Adam Miller]

Ty

Looking very good

 

[Adam Miller]

The next step was to recreate the orange Weyland Corporation container. For this, I used a black acrylic base and applied five layers of orange acrylic paint on top. I painted everything by hand with a brush and also mixed the paint manually.

I didn’t have orange paint, but I had yellow and red. Each time, I adjusted the proportions by eye, without worrying about mistakes - every new shade added an aged look to the container.

The next step was to weather and distress the container. To achieve this, I used various colors, roughly replicating the pattern seen in the film. I applied the dry brush technique, leaving a lot of worn paint on the edges. For added texture, I used a regular paper napkin.

 

[joberg]

Great wear & tear on that container

 

[Adam Miller]

Great wear & tear on that container

 

[Adam Miller]

Unfortunately, due to limited space in my home, I had to scale down the printed model to 80% of its original size. While it’s still quite large - it no longer allows for the built-in lighting I initially planned.

However, I’m not too disappointed. After the New Year - I had a small battery-powered holiday garland left over, which will work perfectly for the wiring and illumination. I attached the lights using hot glue - ensuring a secure fit.

The final result will be revealed at the end - but for now, you can see the main cargo hold, where the sleeping pod will soon be installed. Stay tuned!

 

[Adam Miller]

The next small but important step - painting and placing the sleeping pod inside. After all, this pod was the very reason for the entire tragic expedition…

 

[joberg]

Looking good (I actually love the printing lines on those pods) If you had respected the initial scale, what were the measurements?

 

[Adam Miller]

Looking good (I actually love the printing lines on those pods) If you had respected the initial scale, what were the measurements?

Yes, to be honest, I also find them impressive .

As for the scale - Matthew Savage provided enough information on his Instagram to accurately determine the dimensions. The film itself also helped - for example, by using the height of a person in the corridor doorway as a reference.

 

[Adam Miller]

Before I reveal the final version - I will turn on the lights inside the ship.

Unfortunately, photos can only partially capture this immersive effect. The lighting transports you right into the heart of the ship - as if you are flying alongside the film’s characters, venturing into the depths of space. Long, dimly lit corridors stretch ahead, where at any moment, an offspring could emerge from the shadows. Just imagine it…

 

[Adam Miller]

The front spotlights are simply made to illuminate the depths of space.