1st Build Planning a Halo 2/3 Mark 6 build, would love some advice on models to use!

[TheRev709]

Hello! I'm newer to 3d printing and cosplay but not to crafting, wood working, or painting. I'm looking to start building a Mark VI Master Chief suite.

I'm curious what folk's thoughts are on the various stl files out there, especially if they've built them before and what their opinions are. I'm mostly gravitating towards the InstinctCreative3D armor, helmet, and under suit. I'm excited by the idea of making urethane rubber or silicone using the molds, but haven't done that before, so any tutorials or tips would be appreciated!

There is also the Galactic Armory armor and helmet, but I have read somewhere that these are early works by the team at GA and that even those guys have admitted these models need some updates.

I haven't found many high quality MA5C stl files (plenty of free ones out there, sure, but I don't mind paying for quality). I think Galactic Armory has the most complete set of weapon props including the MA5C.

If there are any other stl files I should consider, please let me know!

 

[BlazingForge]

I haven't found many high quality MA5C stl files (plenty of free ones out there, sure, but I don't mind paying for quality). I think Galactic Armory has the most complete set of weapon props including the MA5C.

If there are any other stl files I should consider, please let me know!

Depending on how big of a fan you are of the Halo Campaign evolved MA5C Design I did model it! It does have full practicality too!
Halo Campaign Evolved MA5C

 

[SgtSaint]

There is also the Galactic Armory armor and helmet, but I have read somewhere that these are early works by the team at GA and that even those guys have admitted these models need some updates.

They totally remastered the MK-VI gen 3 armor. It's a pleasure to make and wear. See photo attached of my build of that file set. (different helmet)

I'm newer to 3d printing and cosplay but not to crafting, wood working, or painting. I'm looking to start building a Mark VI Master Chief suite.

I'm going to point you to my FAQ thread but summarize here:
You're going to make 3 suit on your first build. Its up to you if those turn out to be 1 you can wear, and 2 on the ground as piles of re-prints - or - start with a loose tolerance armor that you can still wear like a Mandolorian, then a medium tolerance that you can wear like an ODST, then finally a snug tolerance that you can wear like a Spartan.

==================

My "New Armorer FAQ" thread:
SgtSaint's FAQ post
<spoiler> I commonly recommend
1 - starting with a less unforgiving build as your first armor, then work up to one's like this with tighter and tighter tolerances after you've leveled up your scaling skills.
2 - Start at the feet and work up, helmet last after you've gained skills at scaling and printing.</spoiler>

My 1st Spartan build (Not awesome)
First {Halo} build - Spartan (TV series)

My 2nd Spartan build
Build 2 - MK-VI gen-3. With some silver timeline influence

My 3rd Spartan build (just realized I need to finish this with more details)
MK-VI Silver team season 2 [2024 build]

My ODST Build
SgtSaint ODST build (AU regiment)


Advice:
Just because this is new to you doesn't mean its new. You don't have to re-invent the wheel with making, finishing or painting techniques. With ANY new endeavor I urge people to scroll back in the forums and facebook pages about a year and just read, read, read. A day spent reading can gain you man-years of knowledge and insight. You see what gets asked over and over. You see the problems that pop up over and over. You see things like "after about 3 months these cracks appeared" or "how did you do strapping" or "what shade of green is this" and so on that you only get with the benefit of time.
YouTube: Instead of watching movies this week just watch YouTubes on printing, making armor, doing painting etc. There's nothing like WATCHING something happen both good and bad to be a great learning tool.

Read through some build threads where people detail the process, the scaling, the planning, the fails and successes, finishing, painting, strapping. These are a couple of mine but there are hundreds more. Also don't brush off build threads for armor different than yours. Just because it's a... Heavy Infantry Mandalorian, or whatever doesn't mean the lessons on scaling, padding and painting don't apply to your armor just as well.