This is Soldier 76’s tactical pulse rifle from Overwatch. It is constructed mainly from ¼” and 1/8” MDF and various 3D printed parts (and lots of paint). It measure 30” overall in length and weighs a lot.
I started with the concept art from Blizzard. This isn’t 100% the same as what’s rendered in-game but it’s close. You’ll have to examine the in-game model closely to see minor detail changes. But the concept art has the best side view (the in-game rotation doesn’t allow for a good view of all sides).
The art was brought into Adobe Illustrator and scaled up to be the real-world size I was looking for. In this case, 30” long. The actual rifle would be about 40” based on Soldier being 6’ 1” but that comes out to be comically huge for a real person. And I’m only 5” 10”.
Each layer is then traced out as a vector. Since I’m machining MDF, there are really only two choices for thickness, 1/8” and ¼”. For the core of the rifles I used ¼” and for the detailed layers I used 1/8”.
This is all the layers stacked up. Each layer will be sent to the laser cutter individually though.
This is the core layer. The laser cutter can only handle 24” lengths so it has to be cut in two sections and pieced together like a puzzle.
These are the cut pieces. The core has been glued up. There is some minor contouring
done with a router and belt sander to round and bevel appropriate edges.
The final glued up and contoured core. It’s hollowed out a bit to reduce weight.
The site is several pieces of 1/8” MDF.
Certain pieces are too complex to be broken down into flat layers. Those pieces were rendered in Blender and then 3D printed.
I used a uPrint ABS printer and a PrintrBot with ABS filament. The uPrint is faster and does a much better job of printing but it’s more expensive to use than a PrintrBot. I prefer ABS of over PLA because I find it easier to sand and finish ABS. Although I hate finishing any 3D printed parts. It just annoys me.
The uPrint in action.
The 3D printed ABS parts.
The MDF parts, primed and ready (Wait, that’s Junkrat…)
I'll post more details if people are interested.
-Bob
I started with the concept art from Blizzard. This isn’t 100% the same as what’s rendered in-game but it’s close. You’ll have to examine the in-game model closely to see minor detail changes. But the concept art has the best side view (the in-game rotation doesn’t allow for a good view of all sides).
The art was brought into Adobe Illustrator and scaled up to be the real-world size I was looking for. In this case, 30” long. The actual rifle would be about 40” based on Soldier being 6’ 1” but that comes out to be comically huge for a real person. And I’m only 5” 10”.
Each layer is then traced out as a vector. Since I’m machining MDF, there are really only two choices for thickness, 1/8” and ¼”. For the core of the rifles I used ¼” and for the detailed layers I used 1/8”.
This is all the layers stacked up. Each layer will be sent to the laser cutter individually though.
This is the core layer. The laser cutter can only handle 24” lengths so it has to be cut in two sections and pieced together like a puzzle.
These are the cut pieces. The core has been glued up. There is some minor contouring
done with a router and belt sander to round and bevel appropriate edges.
The final glued up and contoured core. It’s hollowed out a bit to reduce weight.
The site is several pieces of 1/8” MDF.
Certain pieces are too complex to be broken down into flat layers. Those pieces were rendered in Blender and then 3D printed.
I used a uPrint ABS printer and a PrintrBot with ABS filament. The uPrint is faster and does a much better job of printing but it’s more expensive to use than a PrintrBot. I prefer ABS of over PLA because I find it easier to sand and finish ABS. Although I hate finishing any 3D printed parts. It just annoys me.
The uPrint in action.
The 3D printed ABS parts.
The MDF parts, primed and ready (Wait, that’s Junkrat…)
I'll post more details if people are interested.
-Bob
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