Skulls of Touganda

[Dingo80]

Hello everyone!

Today I'm sharing the start of a project I've had in the works for years, but only recently had time to actually start. The Skulls of Touganda from the 1996 film The Phantom starring Billy Zane!

I had my 3D files remade recently now that my daughter is a year old, I have a small amount of free time coming back to me daily and can update this project.

I got a new Anycubic Photon Mono X resin printer recently and this has allowed me to overcome the most difficult of the 3 skulls, the Jade skull (scroll through the comments for those photos and this is an edit to the original post months after starting this thread).

Next will be reprinting the gold and silver one.

 

[Dingo80]

I decided to test out the Molotow Liquid Chrome on a previous skull I had printed. Tried brushing it on and it just dried too quickly resulting in brush strokes. Busted out the airbrush and went over it completely. I am quite pleased with the result.

 

[NCHammer]

Looks Awesome!

 

[nick daring]

I've always wanted a set of those!

 

[Kylash]

YESSSS

 

[Jintosh]

I saw the film, nice job. Waiting to see the other skulls painted.

 

[Dingo80]

I've always wanted a set of those!

Same here! It's one of my favorite movies and these with be a nice display piece once finished. I plan on doing the electronics inside so the eyes light up, along with magnets inside so they attach to each other. I may or may embed fibre optics into the gem stones and hook them up to a laser so the silver and jade can "point to the last one" hehe. I might also add in wireless charging so they will always light up and can be moved around without having to go through the motion of turning them on/off.

 

[Dingo80]

I saw the film, nice job. Waiting to see the other skulls painted.

That was just a test of the chrome on a reject print. The final ones will be much smoother with more surface details, but they are coming along, just waiting on materials to arrive in the mail.

 

[Trader Cory]

The Phantom is one of my favorite movies from my childhood. I only wish it was easier to get the comics in the states. Any chance you might share the 3D files at some point? Also just wanted to say that I love the chrome paint job, especially the bit that you brushed on. I feel it looks alot more like the one in the movie when done like that.

 

[eternal92987]

I love this movie too. Since I was a kid. These are pretty awesome. Just out of curiosity, have you thought about making sets to sell?

 

[Strats888]

Are you selling if so how much ???

 

[floatinjoe]

Looking forward to seeing the finished set. I have some, but I'd like to potentially upgrade them.

 

[Dingo80]

Hey everyone! I apologize for the extreme delay (another death in the family, our kiddo got sick, and my lady had issues with her employment so I was forced to pull long hours again). Things have finally slowed down enough for me to have personal time again to put into this.

I added a Photon Mono X to my shop and due to the highly increased resolution over my self made FDM printer, I sought out to have my models improved. Unfortunately the original modeler was too busy but the one I found has some legit skills!

Here is the Jade skull off the printer for everyone to enjoy! I still have to make the gems for the eyes, paint the inside to change the glass-like appearance to something closer to jade, and then electronics and magnets on the inside.

 

[Dingo80]

Are you selling if so how much ???

Yes I do plan on making complete sets and selling them. Not sure on price yet due to the varying labor involved in each one.

 

[Dingo80]

I love this movie too. Since I was a kid. These are pretty awesome. Just out of curiosity, have you thought about making sets to sell?

Yes I do plan on molding and casting the silver and gold ones. The jade skull will have to be 3D printed each time to get the right look I'm going for, which unfortunately adds time and materials much higher than casting it from a mold, but yes I plan on selling sets.

 

[eternal92987]

Yes I do plan on molding and casting the silver and gold ones. The jade skull will have to be 3D printed each time to get the right look I'm going for, which unfortunately adds time and materials much higher than casting it from a mold, but yes I plan on selling sets.

I would very possibly be interested in a set once you decide on a price. The work you out into these makes them look very real. I hope everything is going well or better for you.

 

[Dingo80]

Here is another update photo on the jade skull. Got the inside painted and the outside tinted to give it a darker jade look closer to the movie (though I was alway displeased with the fact the movies didn't have any depth to their jade look, just solid dark green).

 

[Dingo80]

Quick update:

While modeling the gem stones for the eyes, I pulled all 3 models together at the same time and lined them up. I noticed that the bases did not arch like they did in the movie and some screen shots. The modeler I commissioned is resolving this and updating the models for me. Glad I noticed it before making all of them, slightly bummed I have one mostly finished that won't pass muster in my book. I could still put it on my wall of shame though haha

Silver lining, I'm going to dye the green resin I used and see if I like that look better than tinting the clear coat like I did on this one. I can't start any of them until this weekend though as I'm waiting for the updated models, and I had to relocate the printer to the garage due to the fumes. My garage ended up being too cold and nothing will print *sigh.

Wish me luck and I should have an update for you all sometime this weekend or next week right before Thanksgiving!

 

[Dingo80]

So I scaled the size for all 3 down and ran a test print for 2 variables. I tinted the green resin to see if I'd like that look more than tinting the clear coat like the update photo I provided a week or so ago. I think I'll stick with the tinted clear coat. The second part was to see what they all looked like together incase I needed to have the models modified at all. Here is the "micro set" that will sit on my desk full

 

[Sundowner]

These are so cool! I lived this movie as a kid!