How To Scale Your Armour - Tutorial

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

Great to hear this tutorial put you on the road to a CQB helmet. Hope the scaling method works out for you. If you need any help with the scaling, or really anything armour-like atall, feel free to PM me. I will do my best to help you out.



Good luck!

 

[sierra092]

This is an awesome tutorial Xtreme! I think i'll start using this instead of ruler to measure my body for my odst piece

also, if one measures their height (for method 1) and one measures it in inches, you can simply times the inches by 2.54 to convert it into cm.

 

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

Sorry mods, I just have to get some of these PM's off of my back.



Thanks to everybody who has shows HUGE interest in the tutorial. it has been very nice to see I have helped out so many members, both new and old.



P.S-Mods, thanks for not smashing me with the ban hammer every time I bump this thread. Its just too hard for me to keep up with the scaling help PM's.



Cheers!

 

[Lucifer]

thank you some much this helped me out more then you will know

 

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

No problem.



Ok, if any mod could PLEASE sticky this, that would be great. I keep recieving PM's like crazy about scaling, and its getting anoying (No offence to the people who are asking. Just PLEASE try all of the methods one or twice before PMing me).



Im more then sure its above the line of qualify for a sticky, so possibly could it have one? Also, I know that the other stickies have to be "cleaned up" (links and images fixed) before any more are added, but I believe they are all fixed now.



Thanks.

 

[Yuki Kedamono]

well i still wonder why this isn't alredy stickied. good thing i've saved it, but for those that don't know about this that'll suck.



I demand sticky! lol sounds.... VERY... wrong. but you guys know what i mean XD

 

[Drahkir]

I'm not lazy, but I will say, if you need to figure out 'cm' to 'in' scale it's easy 12in is 30.5... so 1in is 2.5cm... and if you are really lazy (which I get at times..) I found this cool link that made me laugh!



http://www.manuelsweb.com/in_cm.htm



Just, put in the "in" and press a button, wahla!



It might be cool to put that in the post, just as a fast reference!



~Drahkir

 

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

Well, heres some news. I just found this re-posted somewhere else on another site! I contacted the site Admin, told him what was up, and the member got banned for life (computer is now blocked from the sight). Now, Lol!



BUT, I would like to take this time to say something:



IF anybody (other then myself) EVER re-posts this on this site, or on another I WILL find out. When I do, say good-bye to the forum you were on forever.



NOTE: I just posted the tutorial on Cosplay.com. That was me, don't worry.



Now with that out of the way, I would like to say thanks for supporting the sticky request Yuki-Kedamono.



Drahkir, thanks for the link, I will edit my post to include it ASAP.



Cheers!

 

[Yuki Kedamono]

no problamo thar budday! lol

 

[chwbcc1]

IF anybody (other then myself) EVER re-posts this on this site, or on another I WILL find out. When I do, say good-bye to the forum you were on forever.

Hey Xtreme, I'm working on an Instructable for some Space Marine Armor (it's going to be a while until I get it completely finished, I have Halloween costumes to make first), I am using your method and the Excel I created, I'm giving you credit for the great work and I am gong to link to this site and this thread, you cool with that?



It's not a re-post it's more of a reference to where to find the great information. However, I am going to include my Excel for DL.



Let me know what you think,

chwbcc

 

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

Thats fine. As long as you don't copy and past it, and take 100% credit for it, im totally fine with it.

 

[Flyerfye]

I just want to say, this IS sticky worthy. I finally needed help scaling something (some ODST pieces, no less), and method 1 worked like a charm. (By the way Xtreme, we're about same height, what'd you end up scaling your ODST shoulders and chest piece to, if you happen to remember? I got results from method one that say 30cm tall for the shoulders and 33cm wide for the chest plate. That seems right to me, but what'd you end up using?)



By the way... mods... STICKY THIS THREAD.

 

[Dan]

Just wanted to say nice tutorial! I've used all of these methods before when scaling my armor and I'm glad to see someone has put them into one easy thread. Well done!

 

[jlhR2]

Thank you for putting together this awesome scaling tutorial. I have actually turned this into a little "book style" instruction booklet and can print anyone out copies if they like providing Xtreme is okay with this. Or I can send a PDF copy, of the instructions, again only if Xtreme is comfortable with this.



Xtreme please post a reply or PM to me telling me the actions you prefer.



~James

 

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

No problem everyone. I'm more then glad to have helped.



Also;



This is official:



I am now answering every question everybody has about scaling. Because I seem to be the member everybody is comming to now, I figure I better say its okay. so, if you have a question about the scaling of your armour, or anything really at all, please feel free to PM me.



jlhR2, PM me with a digital copy of the tutorial booklet you put togeather. I will take a look at it and we will go from there.



Cheers!



P.S- ANY mod who comes by this thread PLEASE sticky this thread. Its more then worth it.

 

[coolguy26]

i second the sticky!

(all the noobs will need this for there armor!!)

including me!!



mostly everyone messes up scaling because they don't see this thread.



just saying...

 

[chwbcc1]

O.k. I have been wondering why this thread isn't getting stuck...



I have come to a conclusion as to why.



For one Method #1 isn't really an original idea. Creation Studios uses this method to scale Star Wars Armor by taking reference photos from actual movie costumes on display around the world, then scaling them and replicating them. Their tutorial is a bit thick with expository but it's generally the same thing. They use the same method with screen captures and they have some good ways to combat the distortion created by perspective in a photograph.



Next the Method #2 really doesn't work when you start to build pieces separately. If a large chested person scales the chest based on width and then legs based on height they are going to create a costume that is completely out of proportion. Yes it will fit width or height wise but over all the scale will be completely off.



Method #3 is by far the easiest method to use because the Peps are already created in proportion and all you need to do is input your height and the proper scale is determined for you. Again your explanation isn't unique since the files were created for this purpose originally.



So in conclusion the Method #1 is a solid way to determine scale of pep files that aren't created in proportion to other parts and pieces, or to determine the proper scale when creating 3d files to import into Pepakura. Method #3 is really just repeating what Robo's files were created for in the first place. And Method #2 is just crap because who really wants to have a bunch of oddly proportional parts that fit but don't look anything close to a replica of the Halo Armor.



Your organization and explanations are a good start but I think there needs to be something more substantial to get this thread stickied.



I still like the tutorial and I am still working on an Excel to make it easier, I am just running into proportional anomilies that cause the scaling to be noticeable wrong. And I am coming to the conclusion that unless you build Robo's Suit using Method #3 or properly scale the pep using Method #1 then you are not going to have a decent proper costume.



Peace,

chwbcc



I still vote for sticky though, because it is a good start for Noobs like me. Careful claiming it as original though there are many places that use this same techniques to enlarge/reduce boats, planes, figures and toys to scale.

 

[IamRuiz]

hey Xtreme TACTICS 101 I was wondering if you can post a picture of you wearing the helmet I am roughly the same size as you

 

[Xtreme TACTICS 101]

O.k. I have been wondering why this thread isn't getting stuck...



I have come to a conclusion as to why.



For one Method #1 isn't really an original idea. Creation Studios uses this method to scale Star Wars Armor by taking reference photos from actual movie costumes on display around the world, then scaling them and replicating them. Their tutorial is a bit thick with expository but it's generally the same thing. They use the same method with screen captures and they have some good ways to combat the distortion created by perspective in a photograph.



Next the Method #2 really doesn't work when you start to build pieces separately. If a large chested person scales the chest based on width and then legs based on height they are going to create a costume that is completely out of proportion. Yes it will fit width or height wise but over all the scale will be completely off.



Method #3 is by far the easiest method to use because the Peps are already created in proportion and all you need to do is input your height and the proper scale is determined for you. Again your explanation isn't unique since the files were created for this purpose originally.



So in conclusion the Method #1 is a solid way to determine scale of pep files that aren't created in proportion to other parts and pieces, or to determine the proper scale when creating 3d files to import into Pepakura. Method #3 is really just repeating what Robo's files were created for in the first place. And Method #2 is just crap because who really wants to have a bunch of oddly proportional parts that fit but don't look anything close to a replica of the Halo Armor.



Your organization and explanations are a good start but I think there needs to be something more substantial to get this thread stickied.



I still like the tutorial and I am still working on an Excel to make it easier, I am just running into proportional anomilies that cause the scaling to be noticeable wrong. And I am coming to the conclusion that unless you build Robo's Suit using Method #3 or properly scale the pep using Method #1 then you are not going to have a decent proper costume.



Peace,

chwbcc



I still vote for sticky though, because it is a good start for Noobs like me. Careful claiming it as original though there are many places that use this same techniques to enlarge/reduce boats, planes, figures and toys to scale.

So a little constructive criticism, and a load of criticism. Okay.



Method #1 I came up with by myself while brain storming. I had no clue it was out there, ever. Method #2 has been sitting around for a long time. Method 3 WAS just repeating Ronogenesis’ scaling, BUT with some extra stuff added on so you could use it for other files as well.



Possibly tell me how I can fix these instead of just criticizing me?



Thanks.



Also, IamRuiz, It fits perfectly with about 2cm of room left for padding. I will try to get a picture of me wearing it for you soon.



Cheers!

 

[chwbcc1]

So a little constructive criticism, and a load of criticism. Okay.



Method #1 I came up with by myself while brain storming. I had no clue it was out there, ever. Method #2 has been sitting around for a long time. Method 3 WAS just repeating Ronogenesis’ scaling, BUT with some extra stuff added on so you could use it for other files as well.



Possibly tell me how I can fix these instead of just criticizing me?



Thanks.



Also, IamRuiz, It fits perfectly with about 2cm of room left for padding. I will try to get a picture of me wearing it for you soon.



Cheers!

Sorry it cam across that way. I really didn't mean to criticize. Words alone tend to do that without actual intention/inflection. Not what I intended to do.



I am trying to figure out why this has been stickied yet and brainstorm ways to make it better. My previous post was a break down as to possibilities why this may not getting the attention it needs.



We all may think it is great but the people who moderate the board may not, or may not taken notice yet or may think it hasn't spurred enough interest. What ever the reason the work is a good over view of techniques one could use to scale Armor to fit just about anyone (regardless of the possible imperfections)



I'm sure you did brainstorm the ideas yourself, I don't doubt that, I just wanted to point out that similar things are on the internet using the same principals. Maybe those principals and techniques can be incorporated into this thread to make it an even more valuable resource.



So here are some new suggestions:

Add References to the bottom of the tutorial to other good scaling resources. Include any threads from this board first because I'm sure 405th would prefer to keep it's members on this site instead of referring them to other sites. Create a section for external links and list sites like The Dented Helmet and Studio Creations, possibly some good reference photo links, and some scale modeling sites.



Next create a image button, say 150x50, and ask visitors to this thread to put the Img code in their signature to support the thread. The more attention this thread gets the better chances you will attract the attention of people who can sticky this, or people who can really help perfect this tutorial more.



Finally, let people post this as they see fit. Most people will be courteous and give credit where credit is due. Some will not. But you can't worry about people stealing your thread or re-posting it. A polite, email to a re-poster thanking them for passing your work along and asking them to just mention your name for credit goes a lot further than getting people banned or trying to get people banned off a site. Because in the grand scheme of things you can't police everyone and everything all the time. And it really easy to create a new account and re-post it again.



When you get a button I will be glad to promote this thread in my sig, so it can get the recognition it deserves.



And again I'm sorry my last post wasn't intended as it was taken.



Peace,