Starlord's Helmet. The Vision

[The Prop Lord]

So, this has nothing to do with "The Vision."

This does however, have everything to do with Starlord's vision. Or in our case, our vision.

Quite a few people are scrambling around to finish their Starlord costumes for Guardians of the Galaxy premier, including myself, and I've hit a road block.

How am I going to see??

Here are a few pictures I found floating around the internet. In one picture, it suggests mesh, in another picture, it suggests something like tinted red mirror "sun glasses."


Now, from what I can tell, it looks like they made a "ring" of SMD LEDs around the eye for lighting. So, in the first image, it appears as if there is mesh. If it IS mesh, Im thinking it's something like white or red mesh on the front, and black mesh on the back to cut down the glare of the LEDs.

Where can we find a similar mesh? Can we make it ourselves?

So, please give your thoughts and opinions, thanks!

 

[Dragonmaster525]

I've done something similar with some mesh fabric from Jo-Anns. I've also used screen door mesh before, so you couldn't see inside my power armor helmet.

 

[The Prop Lord]

I used some white mesh from Joann's as well for my TASM2 Spidey eyes, then I covered it with a thin sheet of plastic. I didnt black out the back side so my visibility was awful.

Im about to order some SMD LEDS so I can do some tests.

 

[DrewSmith007]

That first picture looks to me like they engraved some lines into acrylic and the edge lit it with the LED's. I don't know what visibility would be like with that though.

 

[The Prop Lord]

Nice point out. The 2nd picture kind of indicates that as well.

So, you're saying, that maybe it's a single disk of acrylic with some sort of mesh detail? And not "really" mesh?

Another rpf member, I cannot remember their name, did something similar for his Iron Man eyes. He kind of etched lines onto a piece of acrylic on the back, and side lit the piece. The light traveled through the lines, but he was still able to see.

 

[The Prop Lord]

Does anyone else have any ideas on how to light the eyes while having the best visibility as possible?

Im waiting for the LEDs to come so I cant test anything yet.

Actually, I have some green LEDS kicking around. Im going to look for my knife tip for my soldering iron so I can "cut" some lines, versus dremeling the lines. Im thinking we'll be able to see clearer that way. I'll test it out. hopefully tonight.

 

[OliverQueenIND]

Seeing the helmet in person it looked like a wire mesh

 

[The Prop Lord]

So, could it be a wire mesh, (maybe painted white) underneath a disk of Acrylic, with LEDs on the side of the disk for lighting?

EDIT

I looked around, this was the closest thing I could find. 16 "squares" per inch, weaved wire mesh:

McNICHOLS Quality 20 Mesh Square Weave Wire Mesh, 0.0160" Wire Stainless Steel, 48.0000" x 1200.0000"


EDIT #2

WELL, forget that idea... Unless you have $30~ laying around for shipping...
I cant justify buying 1 x 3 feet mesh, for a project that I only need 2~ square inches.

Anyone else have suggestions?

 

[IronManiac]

Just looking at those pictures, the eyes look like red reflectors for bicycles. They have a geometric pattern embedded to catch and reflect light.

I don't know how easy it would be to see through them, but perhaps a pair of red reflectors cut to size with an led strip around the edge might produce the desired look.

Do a quick google image search and see what i'm talking about.

 

[Neoproks]

Just looking at those pictures, the eyes look like red reflectors for bicycles. They have a geometric pattern embedded to catch and reflect light.

I don't know how easy it would be to see through them, but perhaps a pair of red reflectors cut to size with an led strip around the edge might produce the desired look.

Do a quick google image search and see what i'm talking about.

That's what I first thought too, but I'm pretty sure reflectors would be next to impossible to see through :lol. For the helmet I'm currently working on, I wasn't keen on looking through a red tint for hours on end, so I elected to go the less accurate way of Mirrored Red-Gold Sunglasses lenses.

 

[The Prop Lord]

Interesting idea using reflectors. Im pretty sure you would have "fly vision," or kaleidoscope vision. That would be incredibly annoying.

Im working on my helmet right now. When I get the chance Im going to try to make the mesh myself using craft wire. It'll probably be impossible though since the "squares" seem to be about 16 every inch. That's a lot of steady hand work. Im not even confident they make craft wire that thin.

 

[IronManiac]

If you're looking for tiny mesh, why not outdoor screening mesh, like the kind you use in a screen door?

Ya know, as I think about it, it might make sense to just use red glass for when you have the helmet on, then figure out a way to have the eyes light up when you take a break and you're just carrying the helmet under your arm.

 

[The Prop Lord]

Im going to try to hit a hardware store tomorrow and see what I can find.

So far as the glass, that would be easier, but not as cool, haha

 

[The Prop Lord]

Ok, I hit Harbor Freight and found this:
Mesh Face Shield

It has about 24 "squares" in 1 row of 1 linear inch.

Not a 100% match since it looks like the eyes are about 17~ mesh squares. But I think it will do since my helmet isnt 100% accurate *shrugs.*

Once you use a pair of snip pliers to get past the plastic, you can cut the mesh with a pair of scissors. Watch of for metal burs! I didnt even think about wearing gloves and my fingers were riddled in the stuff. Not fun.

I ordered the LEDs, hopefully they get here by the end of the week.

 

[The Prop Lord]

So... Walmart... Apparently they have metal mesh there. It's in the door / window screen area. You get feet of the stuff for $5~
A lot more bang for you buck doing it that way.

As soon as I find my blasted camera, I'll post some pics about the progress I have made with the eyes. So far, it looks like it will work.

 

[asymbolofhope]

I just skipped all the comments so excuse me if it's already been mentioned.. but why not try to acquire some red steampunk goggle lenses?
place a piece of foam across the LED's so it doesn't blind you. have your mesh between the glass lens and the LED's.

 

[STARL0RD]

I am using a mesh from fruit bags and spray painting it an iron color and placing it in the eyes

 

[DrewSmith007]

What diameter are your lenses? I'll try to cut you some acrylic with the lines engraved, I'm curious to see how it looks.

EDIT: Also, what would you like the spacing on the lines to be?

Just did a quick test. I just scratched these in with an exacto using the blade backwards. The light is my very bright led on my phone.

With the LED's off, I can barely notice the lines. However, with it on I can't see anything...

 

[megacity1]

Would like to build one of those !

 

[The Prop Lord]

I'm not sure what the diameter of the wire is. I wish I did.

All I can tell you is that there are 24 squares in 1 row of an inch.

I cut out a circle to go over the acrylic, and painted the mesh on both sides, with Plasti-Dip spray (Black) to thicken the wires. After I did that, I sprayed one side Matte White (acrylic), then the other side Gloss Black (acrylic), and then on the white side, 1 more coat of white.

I cut out notches of the acrylic so my LEDs will fit inside and then proceeded to a test lighting.

I can barely see the lights on the blacked-out side (Inside), yet spectators see bright red glowing eyes(Outside) almost exactly to what the images show. They cannot see your eyes either. I used green LEDs while I wait for the red. Visibility is VERY good. I'd say clarity is at 75%~ if not greater.

Again, I apologize for not being able to take pics. I know that is incredibly annoying!

I plan to look for the camera hardcore tonight.