So I'm starting my first project...

[Cat]

Just in case anyone has read it, yes, I did re-post this from my intro. If you haven't seen that PLEASE keep reading...

Hi!
I guess I should start with an admission, I haven't made a model in my life...yet; So that's why I'm here. I adore film & tv but haven't really thought about making any replicas from them, my brain is just starting to tick over to that idea & reading the forums has certainly been inspiring. Passionate & creative people make the world so much more exciting.
My motivation to join has come from frustration at a lack of resources & specific information to help me develop an idea I've had for the past two years. It has nothing to do with film (Sorry) but a lot to do with replicas & modeling.
A couple of years ago I injured my neck, crushing my spinal cord & resulting in a pretty impressive (At least to me) chunk of steel now holding everything in place. I have danced all my life so I love human anatomy & studying how we function at a musculoskeletal level & the rehab process has only increased that passion. Being a creative nut I am always looking for new things to do & I would love to create an exact model of my spine, as is, implants & all. My question is... How the hell do I translate the mass amount of radiographers film into something 3D?!
I can work out all the measurements but I am totally lost on products & process, especially with no previous experience. I can't afford to spend a fortune but this is something I would like to keep so the materials need to last. A few people have suggested clay but I don't have access to a kiln. A similar product that I can shape with my hands & very basic tools would be good though. Hunting around art supply stores has only left me frustrated. Any helpful hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated please. I'm looking forward to checking out everyone elses projects & raiding my dvd collection to find my first piece of film inspiration for my next adventure.

Thanks heaps if you're still reading,

Cat

 

[EricHart]

If you want something similar to clay in terms of modelling process, a product I first tried a few months ago is Magic Sculpt.

If you've ever used epoxy putty to do repairs, this is basically the same stuff, only in a larger quantity. You mix the two parts together, and you have a stiff, clay-like material you can shape however you want. You can use water to smooth it out as well. You have about an hour after you mixed it to work with it, and it fully cures overnight so that it is rock hard, without the need for a kiln or oven. After it cures, you can sand it or carve it for further refinements.
It seems like a good material to start out with, as you only need a table and a pair of disposable gloves to get you going.

 

[Mike J.]

An oil-based polymer clay (like Fimo) might be a good place to start.

Oil-based clays are 'cooked' in a standard convection oven.

After they dry, they can be worked with files, sandpaper, etc.


-Mike J.

 

[Cat]

Awesome, thanks for replying

Mike - I checked out Flmo & found a similar product called Sculpey that is easier to get in Australia. Have you used them? I am worried about it cracking in our oven, it's really old & doesn't heat evenly.

Eric - Magic Sculpt looks great!

I'm hoping to thread the vertebrae on wire to form a support from the base. Does anyone know if it will set hard & hold around the wiring if it's vertical? I know it's just a matter of learning from trial & error but it would be nice to know what my odds are before spending limited funds.

Thanks,

Cat

 

[division 6]

Most collectible figures and garage kits start out as Sculpey over wire so you shouldn't have any problem.
Magic Sculpt and Aves kick in about 20 minutes and are very hard in 24 hours, both of these are also used for figures and even used as a build up base under Sculpey or for finishing details over Sculpey once it's been cooked.

There are a couple sites that sculptors post on where you can find more information.
This site you have to be a registered member to view.
Clubhouse

You don't have to be registered to view this site and many of the folks on here also post on the Clubhouse forum although this site is more super hero oriented.
Statue Forum

 

[Mike J.]

I used Sculpey / Fimo a long time ago, when I was a kid I don't sculpt.

I recall someone here saying you could boil the stuff, too, to harden it. I forget why.

I have used Aves more recently. I use it for filling holes in things. I do love that it can be 'polished' with water, before it cures. Pretty user friendly, though not cheap.

They should both 'set' fine, though I don't know how much weight on top of them they can take.

Have you considered using a soft wood like basswood instead?


-Mike

 

[clonesix]

Do oyu actually want to sculpt it yourself?

If not, try ebay: NEW LIFE SIZE CHIROPRACTIC VERTEBRAL SPINE SPINAL MODEL - eBay (item 350222439649 end time Nov-27-10 16:49:34 PST)

 

[colly25]

good luck with that!!

 

[rollerboi]

I can tell you right now, as a student having taken a forensic anatomy course, that sculpting vertebrae will be an incredibly intricate, complex project. There are anatomical features most people have never even heard of, from the facets to the foramens, that would be mind-boggling to get fitting right regardless of whether you've got medical imaging files in front of you.

I like the idea; I have my own back issues and have assembled and disassembled spinal cord models many times. You will save yourself a lot of time and grief by picking up a spinal column like clonesix linked to above, and then simply going in and damaging the specific vertebrae that you've had trauma to. You would then be able to rebuild any growth that has occurred with white polymer clay.

One thing to be careful about - if you go with a resin/plastic model, be aware that you may not be able to oven-fire certain clays (I'm thinking FIMO here) at temperatures that would not also cause toxic offgassing and melting of the base resin. You may want to look into a self-hardening clay that does not require oven firing (Magic Sculpt?), or consider molding and casting the particular vertebrae you wish to model.

One other thing to be aware of. Most of the skeletal models in circulation are castings of a chinese female skeleton, so there will be minor differences. The most noticeable difference is between a female and a male pelvis, though, but probably not noticeable to that many people.

 

[Cat]

Hey all,
Thanks so much for the replies, this is exactly the info I was after!
Yes, I really do want to make it myself. I love a challenge, getting my hands dirty, making mistakes, discovering new things & possibly going nuts is completely worth it when I can hold something I made & I'm proud of at the end of it
Mike, I've never heard of basswood & haven't googled it yet (Nor do I have plans to now at 2am) but I'm guessing it's something similar to balsa wood? Lightweight & easy to cut? We used to have warped looking dinosaur skeletons or planes made from kits of it as kids. They were heaps of fun! If we are talking about the same thing I would fail miserably in achieving the detail I would like. I'll keep it in mind for future stuff though!

I'm hoping to get some sculpey today & I'll order some magic sculpt if my bank balance agrees with me. For now I need sleeeeeeep bc my brain feels like putty. If I actually get anything later I'm sure I'll be back with updates & more questions... Yay!

 

[rollerboi]

Here, hope this helps. A few reference shots of a thoracic vertebra I took in my old class. Threw the coccyx in there as well.

A link, too, so you understand what you're getting into. :lol
The Vertebral Column

 

[Mike J.]

Cat, yeah, basswood is similar to balsa wood. Denser & stronger, though. Still relatively light-ish and soft-ish.

Good luck


-Mike J.