So I've never built any sort of costume or prop and am swinging for the fences by building my own Spartan Mark IV as a beginning project however as far as materials go I'm a bit indecisive on what I should use so I'm asking you guys on opinions for this project...should I use EVA foam or should I use cardstock? Also for the pepakura models, will it leaves small areas to glue the pieces together and will a print store be able to print the pepakura models for me or is it something I'll have to do myself? Thanks for helping out a noobie like myself, your inputs are greatly appreciated!
EVA foam or cardstock/beginner questions
- Thread starter naota3150
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JayOneSeven
Jr Member
as harsh as it sounds... yea the stickies really are a great place to look!
Out of all of them though, this is my favorite guide. IT's incredibly informative.
Answers though:
1. It's entirely your choice over foam/ pep. Foam is faster and cheaper, but pep tends to allow for greater detail and more rigid armor-like-armor.
2. Generally you get your card stock and run it through your printer. Most printers can handle it, and you can even select (in the printer settings) 'heavy paper'.
3. Yes there are tabs on all paper pieces which you fold and glue to the others. The guide mentioned above covers that stuff
My personal opinion is that I prefer Pep over foam. You see a lot more mediocre foam builds than pep, simply because of it's difficulty level. That being said, I think a lot of the people that try pep always start with the helmet (the hardest thing usually)and become dissuaded because of the difficulty of it. Yes pep is more difficult, and yes it's a whole lot more messy, but if you're in business to make something that looks stunning, both on and off you, then pep is my personal way to go. If you want something that looks great for a convention, that you'll then just throw into a closet, then foam is the way.
Edit:
Just to clarify, I'm not saying there hasn't been absolutely flawless foam jobs. Check the elite showcase :]
Out of all of them though, this is my favorite guide. IT's incredibly informative.
Answers though:
1. It's entirely your choice over foam/ pep. Foam is faster and cheaper, but pep tends to allow for greater detail and more rigid armor-like-armor.
2. Generally you get your card stock and run it through your printer. Most printers can handle it, and you can even select (in the printer settings) 'heavy paper'.
3. Yes there are tabs on all paper pieces which you fold and glue to the others. The guide mentioned above covers that stuff
My personal opinion is that I prefer Pep over foam. You see a lot more mediocre foam builds than pep, simply because of it's difficulty level. That being said, I think a lot of the people that try pep always start with the helmet (the hardest thing usually)and become dissuaded because of the difficulty of it. Yes pep is more difficult, and yes it's a whole lot more messy, but if you're in business to make something that looks stunning, both on and off you, then pep is my personal way to go. If you want something that looks great for a convention, that you'll then just throw into a closet, then foam is the way.
Edit:
Just to clarify, I'm not saying there hasn't been absolutely flawless foam jobs. Check the elite showcase :]
annabellector
Jr Member
really? you harsh? noooo....
I am actually bummed you didn't put a snarky comment here, as you did for me... crying tears here...
So naota, both jayone and u513 are correct , snarky comment aside
lurking has benefits, read and watch what you can. There is a wealth of information that is available in the stickies as well as reading personal wips and builds.
My advice is to jump in. take an easy build, jayone is right, helmets tend to be more intense, (yet soooo much fun) so plan on something like a shoulder or shin... don't go too small because seriously will kill your desire. case in point skyrim daedric gauntlets.. those fingers are horrendous.... The smaller the pieces the more intricate and harder it becomes. That's true for the more angles and curves and small parts on a large piece.
In my own humble experience, I love the build of a pep, I can build pep all day long. cardstock and my Loctite glue and I'm happy. It helps that I have a silhouette that cuts them out (suuuccch a pain cutting small paper pieces LOL) and I enjoy this part of the build more than any thing else.
I did do a foam helmet (batman cowl) and while it was ok, I loved the pep one better. it's quicker for me, easier... I am not a foam fan overly much because I haven't worked too well with it. The foam helmet had to be redone (harbor freight floor mats) because it was too thick. Michaels craft foam is too thin. Thanks to a group of people here who met up in San Jose, I got valuable information and found a pretty nice eva foam at sears... That being said, I hate how I cannot manipulate the foam as well as the paper.
So, here's your challenge.... What is the character you want? grab a piece off it and show us your pep... walk us thru your thoughts and pics as you build it. Then try it in foam. Do the same. By experimenting and posting it, people will be able to give you tips on how to make them easier, what else you can do, or congratulate you on how well you are doing.
you tell us... which one is better? there are some amazing people out there with amazing skills... some foam, some pep, some freehand... some sadly all three (those people I am jealous of)
a wise and very snarky man once told me to post.....
put it up for us to see, it really does help
elusch99
Member
I personally like foam better, because I find it much more comfortable and it's easier to add details. Also a lot easier on the fingers and takes less time, but you do need to take the time to either find or make a foam friendly model. As said above, whichever you feel more comfortable with. I have found people who will swear by each method.
rickrtickr
Well-Known Member
- Member DIN
- S259
This is really great advice. When I started Armoring just over 2 years ago now I had been observing the processes and steps and tricks, and long before I started a build I read as much from the elite threads as much as by the stickies. as far as I am concerned, I felt that the elite threads were just as much a step by step as the stickies were; for they were given the elite status for a reason. If you understand the processes, tricks, tools, materials, and other equipment that is used for the best and highest quality costumes and props (pretty much everything in the elite threads) you have a better chance of creating if not the perfect (perceived) armor you will surely create a very nice suit of armor of significantly nice caliber.
as for the debate over the difference between foam and card-stock here are the major differences.
1. foam goes together VERY quickly however if you don't spend adequate time on each piece the overall look of the armor will be less detailed and not look nearly as good. (I gained this experience through a new iron man build that i am currently working on.)
2. card-stock on the other hand takes significantly longer to get to the main models but it is easier to achieve detail as the final model is hard. (Experience gained from my first halo suit)
3. the last point is mobility and durability. foam has a greater mobility with a decent amount of durability. card-stock has (In my opinion a greater durability) and depending greatly on how well you scaled the armor has very good mobility.
Now finally here is a thought for you. I have in the process of upgrading my old armor have used a combination of foam and card-stock.
it is not something that I have seen very often around the forum but it has worked well so far for me (just a thought)
I wish you luck on your quest.
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I don't take anything personally, I'm in the Navy and used to being given a hard time. I've been sifting through all the stickies and have gotten a good range of information and as I said in the original post, all of your input is greatly appreciated (snarky or not)...and my intent isn't to waste any of your time. I guess I'm very excited about the idea of building my own armor and just anxious to start the build however I understand the amount of research that it will take to get these started. Thank you guys again, you've been a huge help!
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