Getting started

[Destroyer 405]

Hi everyone!

This is my first time posting on this forum! I had a few questions about getting started with my Spartan Armor Cosplay.

1. How should I get started? I've watched tutorials and all that stuff but I'm still feeling overwhelmed and confused about where to start.

2. What should I use if I'm on a very tight budget? I don't have a whole lot of money to spend on this cosplay unfortunately.

3. Is there any other advice not related to these two questions that you can give me? All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your time and advice, I appreciate it a lot!

 

[Cadet]

Hello, we're happy to help you with your build.
As for your questions:

1. I am a big proponent of research, learning, and studying techniques before starting your build, including browsing our Tutorial Index. However, at some point you need to take the plunge and just start your build. You'll never know what you can accomplish until you give it a shot, so don't let your trepidation prevent you from giving it a shot. Now, as for where to start on your build, you will get different opinions from different people. I myself do belong to the School of thought of starting at the boots and working your way up, as the boots armor will be both the most heavily weathered and least noticed piece of your costume, so, perfect place to practice and learn as it is the best place to hide any mistakes.

2. That depends on the resources you have access to and what your skill level is.
-Foam can be the least expensive option, as we have lots of free templates and foam floor mats can be found cheaply at Big Box stores and other places. However, foam takes a certain level of skill and has a larger learning curve.
-Do you already own a 3D printer? If not, unless you have access to a Maker Space at a College, University, or Library this might not be the best budget option. If you do own a 3D printer or have access to one, we do have a curated list of Free files here: Free 3D Model Index

3. If you have decided on which specific set of Spartan armor you would like to do, we can offer even more specific and detailed feedback tailored to that build.

 

[SgtSaint]

1. How should I get started?
Read and plan. Read and plan. YouTube and plan. Doing things over is expensive. Going slow and getting it right with the least amount of 'do overs' tends to be faster and cheaper than rushing and redoing.

2. What should I use if I'm on a very tight budget?
Build skills before jumping to the actual build. Foamsmithing is a skill that takes practice. Sanding 3d printed parts is a skill. Painting without a bunch of runs in the paint or 'orange peel' is a skill. Scaling armor to fit is a skill. Learning on dedicated learning parts and building your skills is way less wasteful than using full size parts as your learning parts. If you decide to build with foam then watch every foam smithing YouTube you can and practice. Learn to make those complex cuts... really straight cuts for a long length... figure out your choice of glue on practice parts. Way cheaper to build your skills on making grenades than to ruin 3 full chest armors. If you're going the 3d printed route then learn to sand truly smooth, paint well, fix blemishes. You can learn all that on XYZ cubes instead of a full helmet. Plastic spoons for cheap paint testing etc.

 

[Spartan J114]

Eva foam is definitely something to look into if you are on a tight budget, the 405th has an amazing Armory section with a crazy amount of eva foam pepakura templates you can use as well. I would also recommend taking a look at @zeposts as he does PHENOMENAL work with foam pepakura unfolds

Getting started with foam can be a moderate up front cost assuming you don't have supplies like a cutting mat, heat & glue guns, craft knifes/blades ect, but the cost to actually build something after that is pretty manageable especially if you use readily available eva floor tiles for your foam!