1st Build Making a MK VII Suit (for the first time)

[Zmorinu]

Yo, my name's Zack! I'm 16! I've always wanted to be a cosplayer (ALWAYS). Ever since I was a little one, I had a huge imagination and have always wanted to do something like this until I recently found the 405th and all of you nice people! As you know, I've never done anything like this before, so I wanted to create this thread for any of you to give me some pointers on my way to becoming a Spartan!

 

[Zmorinu]

This first image is the templates for the thigh pieces, which I know where they go (I'm pretty sure). The next one is the rest of them for the thigh, which I have no idea how they are placed lol. Any tips until I move on? Some of the pieces are separate so I'm going to tape them together. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any steps or not doing something I should.

 

[BlazingForge]

This first image is the templates for the thigh pieces, which I know where they go (I'm pretty sure). The next one is the rest of them for the thigh, which I have no idea how they are placed lol. Any tips until I move on? Some of the pieces are separate so I'm going to tape them together. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any steps or not doing something I should.

looking good! I would look back at the pepakura mode to really know where parts are placed. I actually started making stuff when I was 16 (I'm currently 18) And also started with a MK VII Build!

it took me like a year and a half to actually fully finish my suit and I've already outgrown it. so be careful with that. as cool and fun as it is its also sad to no longer be able to use a suit you spent so much time on. But It's super fun to be in armor anyways!

So just keep going and you'll learn as you go! Remake whatever you're not happy with and if you're happy with something don't let anyone tell you otherwise! You got this!

 

[rickrtickr]

First off, welcome! I didn't get into the cosplay/costuming scene until I was 17, and the resources at the time were so much more restricted.

Now I am assuming you are planning to use Eva foam? Given your templates. And that your templates are printed from the pepakura program.

As Blazing Forge noted, keep using the pepakura viewer to finalize assembly, as that will really help you out!

Outside of that, make sure that your scaling is tested before you get too far into assembly.

Further, if you haven't already, check out the tutorial index and see if there is something in there that may help in your process:

Tutorial Index

Tutorial Index This index is a gateway to a wealth of knowledge shared by community members here at the 405th. Each of the tutorials below was created by a community member who wanted to share their own expert tips, strategies, and creative solutions with all of you! This index is updated...

www.405th.com

Lastly, don't aim for perfection on your first go around. build what you can, how you can, with what you can. You will get better and gain skill over time. Things will wear down, break, or just not fit. Rather, a part of the hobby. But always know that you can make a new part or piece. My suit has gone through entire generations of parts since I completed it in 2012.


Have fun, engage in the process, and feel free to share any progress.

Looking forward to following your build!

 

[Zmorinu]

looking good! I would look back at the pepakura mode to really know where parts are placed. I actually started making stuff when I was 16 (I'm currently 18) And also started with a MK VII Build!

View attachment 370718
it took me like a year and a half to actually fully finish my suit and I've already outgrown it. so be careful with that. as cool and fun as it is its also sad to no longer be able to use a suit you spent so much time on. But It's super fun to be in armor anyways!

So just keep going and you'll learn as you go! Remake whatever you're not happy with and if you're happy with something don't let anyone tell you otherwise! You got this!

Thank you so much! This helps a ton!

 

[Zmorinu]

First off, welcome! I didn't get into the cosplay/costuming scene until I was 17, and the resources at the time were so much more restricted.

Now I am assuming you are planning to use Eva foam? Given your templates. And that your templates are printed from the pepakura program.

As Blazing Forge noted, keep using the pepakura viewer to finalize assembly, as that will really help you out!

Outside of that, make sure that your scaling is tested before you get too far into assembly.

Further, if you haven't already, check out the tutorial index and see if there is something in there that may help in your process:

Tutorial Index

Tutorial Index This index is a gateway to a wealth of knowledge shared by community members here at the 405th. Each of the tutorials below was created by a community member who wanted to share their own expert tips, strategies, and creative solutions with all of you! This index is updated...

www.405th.com

Lastly, don't aim for perfection on your first go around. build what you can, how you can, with what you can. You will get better and gain skill over time. Things will wear down, break, or just not fit. Rather, a part of the hobby. But always know that you can make a new part or piece. My suit has gone through entire generations of parts since I completed it in 2012.
View attachment 370724View attachment 370723View attachment 370725View attachment 370722

Have fun, engage in the process, and feel free to share any progress.

Looking forward to following your build!

Thank you! It means a lot to know that I have people like you to help me out on my way! (also yes, I am using eva foam)

 

[JurbV3]

This first image is the templates for the thigh pieces, which I know where they go (I'm pretty sure). The next one is the rest of them for the thigh, which I have no idea how they are placed lol. Any tips until I move on? Some of the pieces are separate so I'm going to tape them together. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any steps or not doing something I should.

you're right about where I'm at in my build. Foam thighs. If you still have your pepakura file open, you can use it as a guide to see where your pieces go and what angles everything fits at. Also good thinking for numbering the templates, something I didn't think of doing. I think the biggest thing is just remembering which side is face up for your templates, and putting everything in the right place, which is a mistake I made a time or two on a previous test build.

Looks great!

 

[Zmorinu]

you're right about where I'm at in my build. Foam thighs. If you still have your pepakura file open, you can use it as a guide to see where your pieces go and what angles everything fits at. Also good thinking for numbering the templates, something I didn't think of doing. I think the biggest thing is just remembering which side is face up for your templates, and putting everything in the right place, which is a mistake I made a time or two on a previous test build.

Looks great!

Thanks!

 

[elNoX]

Welcome to the forum Zmorinu! Good luck and success on your journey to the best cosplay you can imagine!