Star Wars The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
- Thread starter Koda Vonnor
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TowerProduction
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Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
So weird... just started working/planning on the Starkiller at the same point in the game haha.
I was debating doing the TIE flight suit or the one with robes, im not sure what the outfit is called in the game but if you know give me a shout.
Here is the best photo i could find. These are robes I was talking about, have an idea of what their called?
Ill be keeping my eye on the thread its looking great so far.
So weird... just started working/planning on the Starkiller at the same point in the game haha.
I was debating doing the TIE flight suit or the one with robes, im not sure what the outfit is called in the game but if you know give me a shout.
Here is the best photo i could find. These are robes I was talking about, have an idea of what their called?
Ill be keeping my eye on the thread its looking great so far.
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
Titus, I'll take a look at the available unlocked costumes. If that is one of them I'll see about taking some screenshots. No guarantees though as it is quite time consuming.
~ BC
EDIT: It's called Hero's Armor, bro. I'll see what I can do about reference pix.
Sadly the former must suffer the latter.
Titus, I'll take a look at the available unlocked costumes. If that is one of them I'll see about taking some screenshots. No guarantees though as it is quite time consuming.
~ BC
EDIT: It's called Hero's Armor, bro. I'll see what I can do about reference pix.
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Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
I added the edge trim to the elbow guard, and took a first cut at the gauntlet closure. I added alignment blocks to the rear of the forearm plate and a strip of galvanized steel to the elbow guard. The square spacers were milled out to hold the magnets. Unfortunately, I accidentally drilled through the center spacer and out the other side. The pix have a nice Photoshop patch over the hole, but I'll have to fill the real one with a fiberglass/bondo plug or else re-do the part. I'm kinda leaning toward the latter as it is rather thick and heavy with its 6-layers of glass. Four or five layers would have been good, and left a bit more flex in the part
The magnets are N52 pull-weight, which is on the better side of the more common N42s, but with just the two (the center one in the pix is fake) it didn't pull against the backing plate as well as I'd hoped. I may end up using 0.75" Dia. instead of 0.5" shown, and just ream out the slot a bit more. The forearm guard will cover the ream-age anyway. Also, the 0.25 thickness is a bit too much as well. I can get 0.20 without epoxy coating and try those.
The glue I used for the metal to plastic bond is LocTite Pro-Line Fast-Grab Premium 8X construction adhesive. Absolutely wicked bond. Gotta clamp it for a few hours though.
After the glue dried I just had to try the thing on. With the neoprene wrist seal under it, the assembly holds pretty tight, maybe too tight. Also it will have to hold 1cm higher on the forearm, and with the TFU1 Kota shirt on it resists any rotation. I'll have to keep the fabric light and the sleeves tight under the gauntlets.
Stay tuned.
~ Vonnor
I added the edge trim to the elbow guard, and took a first cut at the gauntlet closure. I added alignment blocks to the rear of the forearm plate and a strip of galvanized steel to the elbow guard. The square spacers were milled out to hold the magnets. Unfortunately, I accidentally drilled through the center spacer and out the other side. The pix have a nice Photoshop patch over the hole, but I'll have to fill the real one with a fiberglass/bondo plug or else re-do the part. I'm kinda leaning toward the latter as it is rather thick and heavy with its 6-layers of glass. Four or five layers would have been good, and left a bit more flex in the part
The magnets are N52 pull-weight, which is on the better side of the more common N42s, but with just the two (the center one in the pix is fake) it didn't pull against the backing plate as well as I'd hoped. I may end up using 0.75" Dia. instead of 0.5" shown, and just ream out the slot a bit more. The forearm guard will cover the ream-age anyway. Also, the 0.25 thickness is a bit too much as well. I can get 0.20 without epoxy coating and try those.
The glue I used for the metal to plastic bond is LocTite Pro-Line Fast-Grab Premium 8X construction adhesive. Absolutely wicked bond. Gotta clamp it for a few hours though.
After the glue dried I just had to try the thing on. With the neoprene wrist seal under it, the assembly holds pretty tight, maybe too tight. Also it will have to hold 1cm higher on the forearm, and with the TFU1 Kota shirt on it resists any rotation. I'll have to keep the fabric light and the sleeves tight under the gauntlets.
Stay tuned.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
Today I did a rough sculpt of the wrist clip. The photos show I need to adjust the alignment a bit, as well as smooth out the edges and contours. I ended up being off a little on scaling and relative positioning of the forearm plate. It should have been about 0.25" longer and extend by the same amount more toward the hand. It's funny there was just no way to get it perfect without the wrist clip, but the entire assembly had to be completed before the clip could be sculpted. Catch-22. :eek
The end result is the wrist clip is a bit shorter end-to-end than it should be, but I'll live with it rather than redo a whole new forearm plate and mounting.
Most of the finish shaping and fitting will be done on the hard model. Will also be able to measure the symmetry and can always re-do the sculpt if corrections are needed.
It slowly rolls forward.
~ Vonnor
Today I did a rough sculpt of the wrist clip. The photos show I need to adjust the alignment a bit, as well as smooth out the edges and contours. I ended up being off a little on scaling and relative positioning of the forearm plate. It should have been about 0.25" longer and extend by the same amount more toward the hand. It's funny there was just no way to get it perfect without the wrist clip, but the entire assembly had to be completed before the clip could be sculpted. Catch-22. :eek
The end result is the wrist clip is a bit shorter end-to-end than it should be, but I'll live with it rather than redo a whole new forearm plate and mounting.
Most of the finish shaping and fitting will be done on the hard model. Will also be able to measure the symmetry and can always re-do the sculpt if corrections are needed.
It slowly rolls forward.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
Thanks Obi.
Thanks Obi.
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
When I originally marked up the sculpting form that looks kinda like my own left arm, I added center lines, skew (twist) lines, and lines at the wrist perpendicular to the center line. Saturday evening and all day Sunday I stared at the rough wrist clip sculpt. Something wasn't looking right. Then I realized I should have lined up the sculpt with the wrist line (the pencil line right at the hand in the pix), and the forearm plate fork tips with the next line closer to the hand. This caused the palm side of the clip to twist too much in order to lay flat against the wrist end of the assembly.
So Sunday I removed the clay and re-positioned the gauntlet assembly to line up where it was supposed to be, basically another 3/4" closer to the hand. Had to hot-glue it in place to keep it from slipping during the sculpt/mold stage. When I laid the clip sculpt back on the form and smoothed it out a bit, the symmetry and alignment were much better.
It's crazy sometimes how you can look at something for hours and not see what's right in front of your face. :facepalm
~ BC
When I originally marked up the sculpting form that looks kinda like my own left arm, I added center lines, skew (twist) lines, and lines at the wrist perpendicular to the center line. Saturday evening and all day Sunday I stared at the rough wrist clip sculpt. Something wasn't looking right. Then I realized I should have lined up the sculpt with the wrist line (the pencil line right at the hand in the pix), and the forearm plate fork tips with the next line closer to the hand. This caused the palm side of the clip to twist too much in order to lay flat against the wrist end of the assembly.
So Sunday I removed the clay and re-positioned the gauntlet assembly to line up where it was supposed to be, basically another 3/4" closer to the hand. Had to hot-glue it in place to keep it from slipping during the sculpt/mold stage. When I laid the clip sculpt back on the form and smoothed it out a bit, the symmetry and alignment were much better.
It's crazy sometimes how you can look at something for hours and not see what's right in front of your face. :facepalm
~ BC
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Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
Back from NYCC and back on the project.
Since I had to do the clay sculpt directly on the production gauntlet parts, this was by far the most difficult to wall-off and mold. I painted a few layers of Smooth-on Rebound 40, trimmed the edges a bit then used a contour guide to cut out cardboard for walling off the perimeter. Carefully added Hydrocal White plaster in half sections, with vasoline applied to the seams in between halves.
I will stuff some Bondo and glass inside to get a rigid model to work with. I can finally visualize how the piece will be worn and removed. The design is quite remarkable for a CG model. I'll show more detail on what I'm talking about after I take the casting. Also, the palm-side cutout will be done on the rigid model.
More to come.
~ Vonnor
Back from NYCC and back on the project.
Since I had to do the clay sculpt directly on the production gauntlet parts, this was by far the most difficult to wall-off and mold. I painted a few layers of Smooth-on Rebound 40, trimmed the edges a bit then used a contour guide to cut out cardboard for walling off the perimeter. Carefully added Hydrocal White plaster in half sections, with vasoline applied to the seams in between halves.
I will stuff some Bondo and glass inside to get a rigid model to work with. I can finally visualize how the piece will be worn and removed. The design is quite remarkable for a CG model. I'll show more detail on what I'm talking about after I take the casting. Also, the palm-side cutout will be done on the rigid model.
More to come.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
I laid in some fiberglass yesterday. Thick Rondo coat then 7-8 layers of cloth glass strips then another thick Rondo. I added 2-3 more layers on the wrist side for reinforcement since I will be doing the rectangle cutout. It's fugly for sure, but very solid. Symmetry isn't perfect but I can shape it a lot on the next phase. It won't be worn anyway, just a hard model for taking a shell mold. I have some super strong urethane resin I will use to pour the production piece.
Oh and now that I can examine it closely, I realize I'm going to have to sculpt a second one of these for the right gauntlet. I was hoping to use only one and just pour two from the same mold, but to lay flat against the end of the main assembly the sculpt picked up a very small amount of skew twist. This one will not lay flat on the right assembly. Oh well, practice practice practice.
~ Vonnor
I laid in some fiberglass yesterday. Thick Rondo coat then 7-8 layers of cloth glass strips then another thick Rondo. I added 2-3 more layers on the wrist side for reinforcement since I will be doing the rectangle cutout. It's fugly for sure, but very solid. Symmetry isn't perfect but I can shape it a lot on the next phase. It won't be worn anyway, just a hard model for taking a shell mold. I have some super strong urethane resin I will use to pour the production piece.
Oh and now that I can examine it closely, I realize I'm going to have to sculpt a second one of these for the right gauntlet. I was hoping to use only one and just pour two from the same mold, but to lay flat against the end of the main assembly the sculpt picked up a very small amount of skew twist. This one will not lay flat on the right assembly. Oh well, practice practice practice.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Re: The Force Unleashed II - General Rahm Kota WIP
First, I had to be able to put the one-piece wrist clip on and take it off. It is a VERY tight fit and will be a bit tighter before the production piece is cast. As you can see I will have to squeeze it on before the glove, then pull the glove cuff up under the clip. With just the padding afforded by the glove, it is moderately comfortable. It may take a prolonged period of elevation to get it off after a long troop, but I will pay that price for accuracy. The clip will also support the main assembly and keep it from encroaching on the hand guard.
Still just a first round of smoothing and shaping. It will have more Bondo filler and surface spread before it's ready for molding/casting, but so far I'm very happy with the results.
Apologies for the unfocused shots. I was using a remote shutter with my right hand, and neither hand is as steady as a few years ago.
More as it comes along.
~ Vonnor
First, I had to be able to put the one-piece wrist clip on and take it off. It is a VERY tight fit and will be a bit tighter before the production piece is cast. As you can see I will have to squeeze it on before the glove, then pull the glove cuff up under the clip. With just the padding afforded by the glove, it is moderately comfortable. It may take a prolonged period of elevation to get it off after a long troop, but I will pay that price for accuracy. The clip will also support the main assembly and keep it from encroaching on the hand guard.
Still just a first round of smoothing and shaping. It will have more Bondo filler and surface spread before it's ready for molding/casting, but so far I'm very happy with the results.
Apologies for the unfocused shots. I was using a remote shutter with my right hand, and neither hand is as steady as a few years ago.
More as it comes along.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Might a MOD be kind enough to move this thread to the Star Wars area please?
Many thanks!
~ Bill C.
Many thanks!
~ Bill C.
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
1st: Learn how to make the part.
2nd: Make the part.
Yesterday I smoothed the surface and shaped the contours on the left wrist clip. After cutting the join-notches and clamping it to the main assembly, several issues were noticeable.
On the sculpt, I left the semi-circle cutout a bit small, so that the alignment might be adjusted left or right if necessary. I mistakenly ground out it's alignment based an attempted self-symmetry for the part, rather than waiting until I had it clamped in place, so you can see it does not line up with the semi-circle cutout on the forearm plate. Also as you can see in the last photo, the palm-side rectangle cutout is not aligned with the center line of the main assembly, as it should be. The skew of the whole thing rather threw me off during the sculpt. Look closely at the handle of the clamp, and the jaws. The centers of those should both be lining up with each other and with the reference vertical.
Lastly, notice the gap between the forearm plate and the wrist clip. It is very inconsistent, as are the surface flush lines between the two parts.
This is just another lesson. I will re-do this sculpt, but this time I will take care to pre-mark center lines and guide-points, and measure the alignment off the entire assembly rather than just the one piece.
~ Vonnor
2nd: Make the part.
Yesterday I smoothed the surface and shaped the contours on the left wrist clip. After cutting the join-notches and clamping it to the main assembly, several issues were noticeable.
On the sculpt, I left the semi-circle cutout a bit small, so that the alignment might be adjusted left or right if necessary. I mistakenly ground out it's alignment based an attempted self-symmetry for the part, rather than waiting until I had it clamped in place, so you can see it does not line up with the semi-circle cutout on the forearm plate. Also as you can see in the last photo, the palm-side rectangle cutout is not aligned with the center line of the main assembly, as it should be. The skew of the whole thing rather threw me off during the sculpt. Look closely at the handle of the clamp, and the jaws. The centers of those should both be lining up with each other and with the reference vertical.
Lastly, notice the gap between the forearm plate and the wrist clip. It is very inconsistent, as are the surface flush lines between the two parts.
This is just another lesson. I will re-do this sculpt, but this time I will take care to pre-mark center lines and guide-points, and measure the alignment off the entire assembly rather than just the one piece.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
My one meter wide portal into another dimension:
Dragon*Con gave the engine a jump-start. After almost ten months, the project resumes.
Stay tuned.
~ Vonnor
Dragon*Con gave the engine a jump-start. After almost ten months, the project resumes.
Stay tuned.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Today I wedged the left vambrace back on to the armature and cut a rough clay sculpt for the wrist-clip redeaux. I took more time to form the clip in symmetry with the main assembly as opposed to the armature. The spacing came out much better both from the forearm plate and from the hand guard. This will still need to be shaved down some before taking a mold, but all in all it is much better than the first attempt.
More coming soon.
~ Vonnor
More coming soon.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Today I trimmed a lot of bulk off the sculpt, and did some surface smoothing. It's not perfect but will be easy to fix on the rigid model. I am much happier with the alignment, spacing, symmetry and contours compared to the last attempt. I coated it with clear spray acrylic to help keep the mold clean. If the unopened Rebound-40 on my closet shelf is still viable after 10 months I will paint the rubber mold liner on there tomorrow.
~ Vonnor
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Started with one ounce (half oz each parts A and B) of Rebound-40 from Smooth-On and painted a thin coat over the clay sculpt. After about 45min this was followed by a 2nd layer of Rebound-40 (2oz total) with 2 drops of Thi-Vex silicone rubber thickener. Then a final coat of thickened rubber after about 30min.
Later today I will under-cut the edges as best I can and wall it off for a Hydro-Cal plaster mold shell. I'll have to do that in two pieces or it won't come off the "ARM"ature.
~ Vonnor
Later today I will under-cut the edges as best I can and wall it off for a Hydro-Cal plaster mold shell. I'll have to do that in two pieces or it won't come off the "ARM"ature.
~ Vonnor
Koda Vonnor
Well-Known Member
Walling off the rubber mold so a plaster shell can be poured over it. It doesn't have to be pretty, just mostly waterproof. I use corrugated cardboard sprayed lightly with clear coat. I brushed the armature with Vaseline where it was plaster on plaster before the pour. The other half of the mold shell will be completed tomorrow, then just have to wait for nice weather to lay up the fiberglass rigid model.
~ Vonnor
~ Vonnor
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