Tron Legacy Costume

[colonelmasako]

Bummer. That's really quite strange that you couldn't get it to diffuse though.

Annisse, that's great, I can hardly wait to see the results you get with your LF tape. I had thought you already got it but that must have been your End of Line waitress costume. Pretty soon, you're going to have a hard time deciding which Tron Legacy costume to wear!

Solar

Theory: its a trick of your eyes and the light. Think of luminous flux (aka amount of light) as a bell curve, with the x axis the wavelength and the y axis your flux. A red source (~630 nm) is going to be a larger wavelength and on the edge of that bell curve, where in contrast green will be in the middle at around 550nm, at the top of the bell curve. So one problem is that red doesn't look very bright compared to blue or green. This is just how your eyes perceive it.

To make the reflection method work, you need something bright enough to reflect off your backing and project out, which is entirely dependent on the angle the light enters that reflection matrix. A piece of EL wire distributes its light in a 360 degree pattern, so its full brightness isn't concentrated enough to make an effective source for a reflector. And it really also depends on how well your backing reflects. Now as we see with Annisse's suit, if you drive your EL wire to the max, it works, but just not quite as bright as maybe you hope.

I imagine that results with the EL wire is that it glows, but very dimly, not as bright as you'd hope. As I've said, the best way to get this effect, especially with red, is to use a string of surface mount LEDs mounted on a flexible strip, the angle of those LED light cones is focused in ~45 degree, and at a very handsome 100mA per foot.

A common misconception with this movie: yeah, the suits glowed in the film, but the sheer brightness was ramped up with post editing. You can't expect your suit to light up a room easily, just be bright enough that someone can go "wow, that lights up, awesome!"

 

[Solarhawk]

Theory: its a trick of your eyes and the light. Think of luminous flux (aka amount of light) as a bell curve, with the x axis the wavelength and the y axis your flux. A red source (~630 nm) is going to be a larger wavelength and on the edge of that bell curve, where in contrast green will be in the middle at around 550nm, at the top of the bell curve. So one problem is that red doesn't look very bright compared to blue or green. This is just how your eyes perceive it.

To make the reflection method work, you need something bright enough to reflect off your backing and project out, which is entirely dependent on the angle the light enters that reflection matrix. A piece of EL wire distributes its light in a 360 degree pattern, so its full brightness isn't concentrated enough to make an effective source for a reflector. And it really also depends on how well your backing reflects. Now as we see with Annisse's suit, if you drive your EL wire to the max, it works, but just not quite as bright as maybe you hope.

I imagine that results with the EL wire is that it glows, but very dimly, not as bright as you'd hope. As I've said, the best way to get this effect, especially with red, is to use a string of surface mount LEDs mounted on a flexible strip, the angle of those LED light cones is focused in ~45 degree, and at a very handsome 100mA per foot.

A common misconception with this movie: yeah, the suits glowed in the film, but the sheer brightness was ramped up with post editing. You can't expect your suit to light up a room easily, just be bright enough that someone can go "wow, that lights up, awesome!"

Agreed entirely with your "theory" here, and most everything you just said. Also to note is that a deep purple is on the other end of the visible spectrum, and would pose a similar problem. I was just meaning there should be a way to (at least artificially) counter that a little bit... perhaps by using the shiny side of aluminum foil to encase the outer portions of the wire to direct / reflect more towards the center (yes I know the phosphor material won't transmit all of the light back through it towards the center)... pardon the ascii art:

_________ ◄-- this part being shower curtain / masking tape
(O_____O)

Key:
( foil
O EL wire
__ rear diffusing material (white paper, cloth, whichever you chose)

Maybe those who choose red and/or purple should just try a brighter method, like the LED strips down the side like you said before, but I figured rolling the idea around might help people who already have red EL wire.

Solar

 

[Annisse]

Thanks Solar!!! and yes I know. I am excited about wearing all my Tron Legacy costumes to SDCC. I have one for everyday I will be there. Working on my Siren costume and relighting my Quorra costume at the same time

 

[thefutureisnow]

hi guys i finally got the vest done however my reflective tape should really be called not so reflective tape however i will now be adding el wire to the costumes green parts so its a bonus really i went for a bostrumite kinda look from tron evolution lemme know what you guys think

 

[Solarhawk]

hi guys i finally got the vest done however my reflective tape should really be called not so reflective tape however i will now be adding el wire to the costumes green parts so its a bonus really i went for a bostrumite kinda look from tron evolution lemme know what you guys think

Looking good so far! I see you've already got your disc holder attached. What did you make it from and how did you attach it? I'm not familiar with the character you're going for, but it looks nice.

If you're looking for input, might I suggest instead of the 90 degree angles on the back, maybe change that? Perhaps a 45 degree "bend" like this (again pardon the ascii art)

/ \
| O | «-- disc holder portion
\ /
\ /
| | «-- reflective tape / EL wire

It looks good how it is now, but maybe that'll help the lines flow better. Again, that's only if you're looking for input or suggestions. I'll take no offense if you say "go pack sand Solar, it's MY costume" haha. :lol

Solar

Edit: I forgot lol... I really like the front, how the longer vertical lines taper inwards a little bit. It gives a more fitted and athletic look to the whole thing. Also the sunglasses seem to fit the theme really well.

 

[colonelmasako]

Agreed entirely with your "theory" here, and most everything you just said. Also to note is that a deep purple is on the other end of the visible spectrum, and would pose a similar problem. I was just meaning there should be a way to (at least artificially) counter that a little bit... perhaps by using the shiny side of aluminum foil to encase the outer portions of the wire to direct / reflect more towards the center (yes I know the phosphor material won't transmit all of the light back through it towards the center)... pardon the ascii art:

_________ ◄-- this part being shower curtain / masking tape
(O_____O)

Key:
( foil
O EL wire
__ rear diffusing material (white paper, cloth, whichever you chose)

Maybe those who choose red and/or purple should just try a brighter method, like the LED strips down the side like you said before, but I figured rolling the idea around might help people who already have red EL wire.

Solar

Your ASCII art illustrates your idea perfectly. I didn't try that particular method with my EL wire, I'll give it a whirl and see if it works better.

 

[Solarhawk]

Your ASCII art illustrates your idea perfectly. I didn't try that particular method with my EL wire, I'll give it a whirl and see if it works better.

Haha thanks. Hopefully it works better. It would be unfortunate for people to not be able to use certain colors using eddie's shower curtain method, since it's cheaper than a lot of other lighting methods. Another idea instead of foil would be to use high gloss silver metallic paint, to essentially paint a mirror on that part. At least it wouldn't crinkle that way, but foil is cheap and easy to test with.

Solar

 

[JLeezy23]

Has anyone tried making a voice changer/distorter to go inside a helmet? I always thought that'd be cool but i have no clue about things like audio circuit boards or whatever. I can do it to a recording on a computer but it'd be better of it was a real-time voice changer

 

[thefutureisnow]

thanks for the input man i do appreciate critisism as its reallythe only way to get better and if i canget some more of that not so reflective tape then ill deffo go for one of those patterns and my disc holder hasnt been tested yet due to lack of disc however it is simply 4 cardboard circles all hot glued together and when i get the disc i will do a larger circle but with 1/5th chopped of he top sothe bottom 4/5ths holds it on and themissing 1/5th will be good to put your hand through andgrab the disc

thanks again and ps i like the glasses too

 

[games001]

Has anyone tried making a voice changer/distorter to go inside a helmet? I always thought that'd be cool but i have no clue about things like audio circuit boards or whatever. I can do it to a recording on a computer but it'd be better of it was a real-time voice changer

I have purchased a few Voice Changers (cheapo $15-$20 ones), none are of any use as they sound like Micky Mouse modules and are very quiet. I picked up an AKER Voice Amp system which does a great job of amping the voice up, but no voice modulation unit I have found will work with it thus far.. not without going the Stormtrooper route and buying a $130 unit.

 

[revbatman]

Thanks to all on this thread!
Learning much here before embarking on a Tron project
Rev.

 

[Deviant749]

What is the consensus about cutting negative space into a wetsuit? I see Pizzacat got some pretty decent looking results back a few pages, but was unsure how to attach lighting.

My thought was to get a suit, cut the space, spray-plastidip it to give it a uniform color and texture, then attach the lighting on top of that.

I want to do something like this, but more CLU-ey

 

[Solarhawk]

thanks for the input man i do appreciate critisism as its reallythe only way to get better and if i canget some more of that not so reflective tape then ill deffo go for one of those patterns and my disc holder hasnt been tested yet due to lack of disc however it is simply 4 cardboard circles all hot glued together and when i get the disc i will do a larger circle but with 1/5th chopped of he top sothe bottom 4/5ths holds it on and themissing 1/5th will be good to put your hand through andgrab the disc

thanks again and ps i like the glasses too

cardboard... clever. You could even wrap it with some sort of fabric or paint it with plasti-dip. I didn't even think of that. Thanks!

Solar

 

[Annisse]

Has anyone tried making a voice changer/distorter to go inside a helmet? I always thought that'd be cool but i have no clue about things like audio circuit boards or whatever. I can do it to a recording on a computer but it'd be better of it was a real-time voice changer

I D/L'd an APP for Iphone called VoiceMod, the Darth mode I think it is called sounds perfect for the Quorra voice. Now, to figure out a way to hook some sort of speaker and system to project it out for everyone to hear.

All this fiddling with electronic stuff is killing me.... anyone???

 

[JLeezy23]

I D/L'd an APP for Iphone called VoiceMod, the Darth mode I think it is called sounds perfect for the Quorra voice. Now, to figure out a way to hook some sort of speaker and system to project it out for everyone to hear.

All this fiddling with electronic stuff is killing me.... anyone???

Is it a real-time voice changer? I got an android n can't find any real-time changers

 

[games001]

I D/L'd an APP for Iphone called VoiceMod, the Darth mode I think it is called sounds perfect for the Quorra voice. Now, to figure out a way to hook some sort of speaker and system to project it out for everyone to hear.

All this fiddling with electronic stuff is killing me.... anyone???

You might be able to use a standard mic/ear bud set. Use the mic as is for input to the iPhone while you splice the ear bud lines to an external amp. (like the AKER I got recently) That unit will have a mounted speaker or else you can output to a speak hidden somewhere on the suit.

I agree, the issue I have found with the few Android Apps for Voice Changers is that none work 'On The Fly', but require you to record audio, then change it for output later.

 

[Solarhawk]

What is the consensus about cutting negative space into a wetsuit? I see Pizzacat got some pretty decent looking results back a few pages, but was unsure how to attach lighting.

My thought was to get a suit, cut the space, spray-plastidip it to give it a uniform color and texture, then attach the lighting on top of that.

I want to do something like this, but more CLU-ey

Not quite sure how I missed this post... but anyways, like was stated earlier in the thread (like page 3 or something, WAY early), wetsuits are meant to be snug. Their seams are positioned in a way that relies on all the material being there. Also, as a diver, I can confirm that there are serious heat-stress risks of wearing a proper fitting wetsuit while you're not in the water. Personally, I'd be very hesitant to use a wetsuit for the base part of any costume.

So, if you're set on using a wetsuit, I would recommend using a size or two up from your normal size, so your cutout areas aren't as much of a problem stretching the rest out of shape (plus you can then adjust seams to properly hold it's shape), and would recommend wearing something underneath it so you don't overheat.

Also, if you used a larger size wetsuit, it'll be more forgiving about cutting strips to place lighting beneath it, and sewing panels in behind it (I assume that's what you meant) since there's more overall material to work with.

Solar

 

[cinematical]

(skipping to the end of this thread, so sorry if I repeat stuff)

I remember reading somewhere that each of these costumes (the originals for the film) cost some ridiculous amount to make. Anyone remember how much that was and why it was so high? I imagine it has something to do with the light strips...

 

[Annisse]

Is it a real-time voice changer? I got an android n can't find any real-time changers

Yes, the APP I have changes your voice in real-time. You can also record your voice too and save it to play back later. It is called VOICEMOD for Iphone though, not sure about Android.

You might be able to use a standard mic/ear bud set. Use the mic as is for input to the iPhone while you splice the ear bud lines to an external amp. (like the AKER I got recently) That unit will have a mounted speaker or else you can output to a speak hidden somewhere on the suit.

I agree, the issue I have found with the few Android Apps for Voice Changers is that none work 'On The Fly', but require you to record audio, then change it for output later.

Great! thanks will have to look into it. I won't worry about that until around DragonCON time in Sept. I ran out of time and won't be able to have my Quorra helmet ready for SDCC.

 

[Eveningarwen]

so I'm looking into getting lights for my Gem outfit and I was thinking about getting this;

A2 Parallel Electrode with Leads, White, www.luminousfilm.com

They also have a kit that has what's above but also a power supply and an inverter but it costs an extra 100 bucks. Before I ask them this question, does anyone here think it would be ok to use a different inverter and power supply. One that may be cheaper. Or is that pretty much the rate I'm looking at to power that sheet. Also there's only a couple of leads and they're already attached, am I going to have to take them off or buy more leads to make them longer in order to run up my body. I've seriously read this whole thread, I've been keeping up with it and I know I should probably know or have found the answer to my question but I seriously have no clue lol. I'm also hoping that I can maybe squeeze all of Gems lights onto that one sheet......I have no room to screw up....but.....what does anyone else think.