First Build! ODST

[JRTaylorThird]

Hello! After a few replies to my first post asking which piece to to start with, I decided to test my new FlashForge AD5M's capabilities and start with the ODST M6C Magnum. I've printed a plate a day, because I didn't have access to my printer after starting it in the morning and didn't want to bug my wife with the noisy fan when we were home together. I've since moved it to the garage and placed some unused folding pantry doors to quiet it down, and it's now completely inaudible from every other room in the house. Thank goodness for that, means I can run prints through the night or in the evenings when I get home.

Anyway, I'll try to post regular updates in this thread with my process, but here's a picture of my first plate which includes the grip & guards, prior to any work at all.

 

[JRTaylorThird]

A tiny update, same day. Finished printing all my parts for the M6C. Going to size my wife & I up this weekend for ArmorSmith and start printing armor next!

Tried to be a lil’ aesthetic with the picture. SO cool to hold this thing! (Even if it’s not fully processed yet.)

 

[zSmiley]

Very nice looking print

 

[WhenInMaine]

Glad you like the files! Great looking prints too! Good luck on your build!

 

[Unit287]

Dang that looks sweet! Where did you get those files from? The Model Repository? I would love to make one of those.

 

[JRTaylorThird]

Dang that looks sweet! Where did you get those files from? The Model Repository? I would love to make one of those.

Thanks! I got the files from From The Brink Studios' YouTube video. It's for a modular Halo 3 M6, I just printed the ODST attachments (silencer & laser/flashlight). Not sure if he's on the 405th forums, but definitely give that video a watch. Fantastic work by them.

 

[Bargo]

Tried to be a lil’ aesthetic with the picture. SO cool to hold this thing! (Even if it’s not fully processed yet.) View attachment 360642

I totally know that feeling!
I just got my MA40 Nerf yesterday and I can’t stop picking it up either!


Same thing with my old Star Wars props – the moment a new pew pew or lightsaber is finished, I’m instantly 8 years old again and just want to run into the woods with it.

 

[Zippyzeek]

A tiny update, same day. Finished printing all my parts for the M6C. Going to size my wife & I up this weekend for ArmorSmith and start printing armor next!

Tried to be a lil’ aesthetic with the picture. SO cool to hold this thing! (Even if it’s not fully processed yet.) View attachment 360642

That looks super clean! Can't wait to see your progress!

 

[JRTaylorThird]

Another small update!
Purchasing & using armorsmith, I managed to create a reasonably decent avatar of myself & my wife. After the initial shock & body dysmorphia we got from seeing our poor measurements, we re-measured and were happy with the way they came out. I've sized most of my future 3D & foam files, and will probably start sometime next week/weekend, as we're plenty busy with our copies of the Oblivion Remaster released Tuesday. I'm 12 years old again!

Some annoyances have sprung up the past two days. Printing my M7S from files in the armory and my filament decided to kick the bucket & get tangled on itself, causing two failed prints. Gah! At the same time, re-spooling gave me a sense of purpose while I waited for my next-day shipment of filament. About 3/4 of the way through with the silenced SMG, and things are looking good. I'll post some photos later this evening of the print progress & failures.

 

[JRTaylorThird]

Overdue update: My internal SSD bit the bullet, I got sick, and now my wife & I are rehearsing for a play (The Foreigner) to be done in PA in a few weeks, so this has kind of hit the back burner. Before my PC crapped on me (and I have since had to remodel my armor files because I had all my work saved on there....grr) I managed to print out both sets of articulating shoulder pieces, shown below. This is going to be on the bottom list of my priorities for a while, as I've got a crazy work schedule for the next month or so, and won't really have the free time I need to dedicate to this until mid-June, give or take.

I've also started wiring LEDs & flashlights for both printed guns, which I'll also work on in the coming months.

Pictures of the shoulder pieces!

 

[TheMasterChef]

Prints look top notch hope the rest looks as good.

 

[Dragonjay09]

The prints look really good my friend, hope the project goes well

 

[JRTaylorThird]

Hey again! Back after a long break doing a show in Pennsylvania and some down time with my wife before coming back to tackle this project. Printed my left knee yesterday, and I'm looking at ways to print the shin pieces but I'm afraid to dive in for some reason.

I've split my left shin into 5 pieces, my AD5M only has a 220mm print bed so any large pieces have to be cut down. Any advice on how I could best split this, or does this look okay for a first try?

Any advice is welcome advice. Excited to get back into this!

 

[JRTaylorThird]

Finally finished printing my last piece yesterday - on the Helldivers ODST Warbond drop day. Pretty happy with that coincidence.

Been working like a dog over the summer - my real day job, plus so many hours of theatre rehearsals. Haven't had too much time to play around with my armor. I'll attach pics of everything once it's glued up before sanding. I know the real work starts now, but I'm in no rush.

 

[CaptainFawx]

Those files are so great, cant wait to see the finished product!

 

[JRTaylorThird]

Huge break from crafting. Life goes on and you have to put things on the back burner for a while.

Got a notification saying this thread might be considered spam, but it's my own thread so I'm doing what I want

Got started working on my undersuit a few weeks ago - 3D printing and painting/sanding aren't really my favorite things to do in the costume making process, but I love using my sewing machine. I've decided to make a tailored & traditional style flak vest / plate carrier from various fabrics (marine vinyl, spandex, and an old cotton t shirt) filled with quilting foam & stitched to create the visual look of the ODST undersuit. This will lie on top of my black shirt and act as an anchor point for my chest plate, with the custom foam/fabric backpack straps that will fit over the vest itself. I have limited pictures of this, but I'm still pretty proud of the work so far.

I don't have a TON of free time, and when I do I usually spend it with my wife. We do everything together. That said, she's inspiring me to finish MY costume up, because if we want to go to a CON together, she wants to dress up too! She's decided to go as a simpler-to-construct (and wear) Marine from Halo 3. Less parts, more mobility, but still game accurate. All that to say, I've got to finish my suit so we can get started on hers!

Here's a few photos of my foam and fabric process so far. I'll have some time this weekend to get some more, but I want to include everything in this post...even if it is 8 months old.

 

[JRTaylorThird]

I also have all of my 3D print files PRINTED, not sanded & painted yet, and misc. foam parts cut out. I've done some parts from foam for easier replacement & maneuverability. Think hip plates, kidney plates, boot covers...Things I might bang up from walking around.

The previous "pleated vinyl" is for the thigh armor and will be installed accordingly. I'm trying to go for as much realism as possible, while still having some level of flexibility. (I'm not going for tier 3). For example - I won't be include filling in the cutout of the forearm, and I'm not going to do a neck seal. Those seem impractical, and the neck seal just sounds HOT. It's Florida...no thanks.

I'll post some more over the weekend of all my pieces laid out and what I have left to complete the project. So nice to get back into it!