First Build In Progress- ODST Midna, ONI Operative.

[ODST Midna]

A lot of the inspiration for this build comes from DARE, in the ODST series, I wanted to make my own ONI operative in full ODST armor, one whose sole missions are kept off the records, working in complete secrecy for a select few higher-ups, maintaining the UNSC missteps along the way.

Midna is usually tasked with stopping future insurrections or data leaks, and assisting the occasional Spartan teams with package securement and intel missions, sometimes without the Spartans' full knowledge of his mission.

This will be my first-ever cosplay as well!

I started with the Recon helmet, files bought via Galactic Armory, printed on PLA with the Neptune 4 plus.

Approx. 50 hours to print.

Assembly isn't perfect; I misaligned the back plate ever so slightly, and one of the sides of the brim portion wouldn't seat fully, but this will easily be resolved once I begin the Bondo and sanding phase.

I also printed the XFTREC Flamingo and the BNR Farndale; the BNR will also cover a portion of the gap, helping hide the mistake.

Still debating what to do for the visor, I did find a football visor that may work with some cutting and heat shaping.

I'd like to find something that is easily seen through. I've tested the tinted face shield with mirror one-way film, and the vision becomes a bit blurry for my liking.

Looking forward to sharing the progress in this thread with everyone, and hope to one day see some of you at conventions!

-ODST Midna

 

[billeybob250]

That print came out vert nice.

 

[ItsWonderWhyt]

Still debating what to do for the visor, I did find a football visor that may work with some cutting and heat shaping.

I'd like to find something that is easily seen through. I've tested the tinted face shield with mirror one-way film, and the vision becomes a bit blurry for my liking.

I took a lot of inspiration from Dare as well. It’s a great look!

I actually first tried a football shield myself, seeing the shape echoed the opening of the recon helmet. It’s very thick and inflexible, you’ll have a hard time cutting it and making it fit nicely. Definitely recommend using a dremel and making a couple practice cuts.

An easy option is a tinted or clear visor like this:

Amazon.com

You can score and snap with an exacto knife into the perfect shape. You can also use window mirror tint and water to get a reflective surface.

I gave in and bought a reflective purple visor form Enforce props, but the welding visor (not truly dark enough for welding) are my go to for most helmets.

 

[ItsRaven]

That helmet looks great!
I'm working on a recon helmet and have no clue what to do for the visor too lol
Might have to just take your idea when you have a visor

 

[ODST Midna]

Some updates on the Midna project, Started the Bondo process for the helmet, and pretty much finished the painting concept.

Thigh left is printing after some learning curves with scaling, one full send default print to find out I'm too thick lol.

3 sizing rings later and I got a perfect fit!

I do have the left and right forearms printed, but I'm going to do a reprint and extend them by 3cm, the default does fit, but it's just a little short on the arm, leaving too much space between the bicep armor.

I also decided that the left arm will feature the reach Commando armor with data pad attached.

Estimated printing time for the entire project looks to be about 14-16 days on print time, 7-8000 grams of PLA filament via Elegoo.

The entire project I estimate will take 4 months to fully complete, as much as I'd love to have it done by Halloween, it's just unrealistic, and I'm not rushing this thing.

 

[Ulfhedinn073]

Ah, yes, I too was in the "Helmet first and full send the next print" gang. Really though - "learn by doing" can be a bit more time-consuming and costly, but who cares if you're enjoying the process? In printing, it's just filament, it's not super expensive as hobby materials go. As you state, don't rush, enjoy it. There will be a Halloween next year, and maybe a con before that.
For the forearm, I'd keep the shorter ones just in case. I went for a "silhouette correct" Mk V spartan, and I became instantly aware of how much clipping happens in-game where they can handwave things like armor self-collision. ODST's are better in that respect, and accuracy is to be prized, but don't throw them away until you move around in it first with the tighter tolerance.
Great so far, can't wait to see this progress!

 

[Driel71]

A lot of the inspiration for this build comes from DARE, in the ODST series, I wanted to make my own ONI operative in full ODST armor, one whose sole missions are kept off the records, working in complete secrecy for a select few higher-ups, maintaining the UNSC missteps along the way.

Midna is usually tasked with stopping future insurrections or data leaks, and assisting the occasional Spartan teams with package securement and intel missions, sometimes without the Spartans' full knowledge of his mission.

This will be my first-ever cosplay as well!

I started with the Recon helmet, files bought via Galactic Armory, printed on PLA with the Neptune 4 plus.

Approx. 50 hours to print.

Assembly isn't perfect; I misaligned the back plate ever so slightly, and one of the sides of the brim portion wouldn't seat fully, but this will easily be resolved once I begin the Bondo and sanding phase.

I also printed the XFTREC Flamingo and the BNR Farndale; the BNR will also cover a portion of the gap, helping hide the mistake.

Still debating what to do for the visor, I did find a football visor that may work with some cutting and heat shaping.

I'd like to find something that is easily seen through. I've tested the tinted face shield with mirror one-way film, and the vision becomes a bit blurry for my liking.

Looking forward to sharing the progress in this thread with everyone, and hope to one day see some of you at conventions!

-ODST Midna

If you're looking for something easy to see through and the visor will have a smooth surface you might try a window tint used for cars. A friend of mine used it for their motorcycle helmet and it looked great. I have a slight bevel in my ODST visor so I couldn't use it on mine.