Spartan Ii's Armour Progress...
- Thread starter SPARTAN II
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SPARTAN II
Sr Member
DoC ByTeS said:I almost gave up because I thought mine looked horrible, but the more and more you do the better it becomes visually and your mind set starts to change. Besides if we all had the same look to our armor we'd be stormtroopers!
no offense I like them too.
I've been like that with some of my other scratch-build projects as a matter of fact.
I'll finish drafting the 1:1 templates, start tracing it on/cutting it out of styrene, I get to a certain point where I'm not liking where it's going, but decide to stick with it anyway and in the end am very pleased with the finished product.
That's been my process with a few of them, anyway. Other scratch-builds I just get started on it, and am so into it I just focus on getting it done, no self-criticism or hating my own prop work, LOL.
mgrmax said:
I went back to my helmet last night, looking it over and trying not to cringe at the afore-mentioned imperfections I just recently noticed, LOL.
As it's been a while since I've even touched the thing, I completely forgot that I'd already corrected Flaw # 3, by simply building up the off-angle side with some modelling putty.
When primered, it'll be a little more square now.
Flaw # 2 should be easy to fix; just take my Dremel tool and cut out the opening a little further back. Of course, that means I'll have to make a new set of vents as the current ones will be too small, but that should be a simple enough task.
The one problem area I don't think I will be able to correct will be Flaw # 1.
If I were to try and sand down/reshape the right side of the crown where it juts out, I would go through both layers of .080 styrene on that side just to get the same angle/contour as seen on the left side.
But, you know what? I think I could be okay with that, if that were the only remaining flaw in its design.
After all, the work on it so far has been good, and its construction is very sturdy. Once finished, one won't even really be able to notice anything wrong with it.
It would be a shame to put all that time and effort to waste, especially considering how excited I've been with this project up until now...
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Ruze789
Sr Member
SPARTAN II said:
Exactly. I love the look of your helmet, I think it's lookin pretty awesome. Plus by the time it's painted and has a cool gold visor in it, nobody at all is ever going to notice little problems in symmetry or alignment. Especially if you have a full suit to further detract attention from tiny flaws.
Keep at it, it'll come out great.
And I've also been thinking about what appears to be those little vents on the brim of the helm, I haven't seen anyone do a build with them yet, but they also only appear in a small fraction of screenshots. They aren't always there...
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SPARTAN II
Sr Member
Well, thanks much for the kind words, Ruze. I'm glad to hear people really like the work I've done *grins wide*.
I definately agree that having the full suit to show will further avoid anyone noticing any slight flaws. I do intend to construct the entire suit, using Flying Squirrel's and Robogenesis' high-detail Pep files as a base for the rest of it.
That'll save me some time in adding some of the details, as I've done with the basic JediFraz HALO 2 helmet I've been working on.
Regarding those two small details on the brim, from what I can tell I don't believe they're vents but raised panels. They do tend to come and go, don't they? LOL
I have, however, consistently seen those details present on the in-game model renders posted over at Bungie.net (that's where I first noticed it), so as such I would imagine them to be cannon details, and are supposed to be there.
When all is said and done, I've decided my particular Mk VI armour build is going to incorporate design aspects from every available source -- the "Starry Night" commercial, in-game model renders, in-game cinematics, the Legendary game helmet, etc. -- so it'll likely be one of the most detailed suits out there, though not representative of any specific version.
It'll be my own personal intrepretation of what the Master Chief's armour should look like.
The more detail the better, in my opinion, heh heh.
Since it's going to be my suit anyway, and everyone ends up taking a little creative license with thier own suits, I figure why not?
I definately agree that having the full suit to show will further avoid anyone noticing any slight flaws. I do intend to construct the entire suit, using Flying Squirrel's and Robogenesis' high-detail Pep files as a base for the rest of it.
That'll save me some time in adding some of the details, as I've done with the basic JediFraz HALO 2 helmet I've been working on.
Regarding those two small details on the brim, from what I can tell I don't believe they're vents but raised panels. They do tend to come and go, don't they? LOL
I have, however, consistently seen those details present on the in-game model renders posted over at Bungie.net (that's where I first noticed it), so as such I would imagine them to be cannon details, and are supposed to be there.
When all is said and done, I've decided my particular Mk VI armour build is going to incorporate design aspects from every available source -- the "Starry Night" commercial, in-game model renders, in-game cinematics, the Legendary game helmet, etc. -- so it'll likely be one of the most detailed suits out there, though not representative of any specific version.
It'll be my own personal intrepretation of what the Master Chief's armour should look like.
The more detail the better, in my opinion, heh heh.
Since it's going to be my suit anyway, and everyone ends up taking a little creative license with thier own suits, I figure why not?
SPARTAN II
Sr Member
You know, I've been spending part of my evening pondering over exactly how to correct Flaw # 2 (the top vents).
Of course, as I'd said earlier it should be just a simple matter of cutting the styrene a little further back, but after I took that into consideration another issue cropped up.
See, extending the vents back is all fine and well, but when I was gauging the size of each vent section the forward-most one always seemed to be way too long compared to the reference pics I'm looking at.
That's when it suddenly struck me; the reason why I kept coming up with that nagging discrepancy was because the recessed middle section of the brim of the helmet is too small!
Based on the reference pics I've been looking at -- and I even took a look at the Legendary helmet if the same was true of it, and it was -- the recessed portion is in line with where the crown meets the brim. In the case of my build, it isn't, and so is about 1/4-inch shorter.
It's obvious some of the general details/proportions varied slightly between the HALO 2 (which is what my helmet is based on) and the HALO 3 models. I just didn't expect one of the more concrete design elements like that to be different.
So, all I should have to do is apply a 1/4-inch styrene insert, and then when I cut the section back a little bit and put in the top vents it should line up with those details on the in-game model.
I can't believe it took me so long to finally realize that, LOL. I guess that alteration will actually correct both Flaws # 2 and # 3, as each is clearly and directly related to the other.
Uh... if anyone didn't understand what I just rambled on about here, let me know and I'll try to explain better. It's just I was so ecstatic about my realization on that design aspect, and so wanted to share my findings with anyone interested. Not like anyone else is using the HALO 2 Pep file, but whatever...
Of course, as I'd said earlier it should be just a simple matter of cutting the styrene a little further back, but after I took that into consideration another issue cropped up.
See, extending the vents back is all fine and well, but when I was gauging the size of each vent section the forward-most one always seemed to be way too long compared to the reference pics I'm looking at.
That's when it suddenly struck me; the reason why I kept coming up with that nagging discrepancy was because the recessed middle section of the brim of the helmet is too small!
Based on the reference pics I've been looking at -- and I even took a look at the Legendary helmet if the same was true of it, and it was -- the recessed portion is in line with where the crown meets the brim. In the case of my build, it isn't, and so is about 1/4-inch shorter.
It's obvious some of the general details/proportions varied slightly between the HALO 2 (which is what my helmet is based on) and the HALO 3 models. I just didn't expect one of the more concrete design elements like that to be different.
So, all I should have to do is apply a 1/4-inch styrene insert, and then when I cut the section back a little bit and put in the top vents it should line up with those details on the in-game model.
I can't believe it took me so long to finally realize that, LOL. I guess that alteration will actually correct both Flaws # 2 and # 3, as each is clearly and directly related to the other.
Uh... if anyone didn't understand what I just rambled on about here, let me know and I'll try to explain better. It's just I was so ecstatic about my realization on that design aspect, and so wanted to share my findings with anyone interested. Not like anyone else is using the HALO 2 Pep file, but whatever...
inspector gadged
New Member
awsome!
is that kind of plasticcard?
is that kind of plasticcard?
SPARTAN II
Sr Member
Yeah, I guess you could call it that. Styrene is a typical plastic -- used for many of the toys you see in stores; they call it "injection-molded styrene", but it's the same thing -- that can be made and purchased in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses.
So far, the thickest I have found is .080, which is between 1/8-2/8th's of an inch thick.
The hobby shop I usually pick mine up from only ever has a limited supply on hand, and once they're out it takes a while for them to re-stock it.
I'm thinking I may just switch to going to one of the plastics suppliers in my area for all of my styrene needs...
So far, the thickest I have found is .080, which is between 1/8-2/8th's of an inch thick.
The hobby shop I usually pick mine up from only ever has a limited supply on hand, and once they're out it takes a while for them to re-stock it.
I'm thinking I may just switch to going to one of the plastics suppliers in my area for all of my styrene needs...
SPARTAN II
Sr Member
Well, after some additional scrutiny of my helmet, I realized one other detail area that will have to be "tweaked", so to speak; the recessed areas just underneath the jaw.
Though the outline looks good, and appears to be consistent with what I've seen in reference pics, they're far too shallow.
So, I'll just cut them out with my Dremel tool and then adhere some styrene in place from the inside of the helmet. That should give them the proper depth.
On a progress note, I've redone the two small indents just behind the LED housings on the wrap-around "band" of the helmet, so they are now correctly recessed (again, they too were too shallow at first).
Also, I've managed to adhere the raised panel on the front of the jaw. The template I drafted ended up being perfectly aligned with the folds of the base Pep file, heh heh. It looks good.
Oh, and I finally figured out how to do up the nosepiece insert! I have to admit I was a little perplexed as to just how to do that, but after reviewing the pics BishopX and slavefive posted in thier Mk VI Helmet progress thread, and looking at that area on my own helmet, I was able to figure it out.
Unfortunately, no new progress pics to post as yet -- I'm currently in the middle of packing up all of my stuff for moving down to California in about a month, and my digital camera's lost somewhere in the mess, lol -- but once things have settled down for me I will certainly put some up for everyone to see.
And here ends my update...
Though the outline looks good, and appears to be consistent with what I've seen in reference pics, they're far too shallow.
So, I'll just cut them out with my Dremel tool and then adhere some styrene in place from the inside of the helmet. That should give them the proper depth.
On a progress note, I've redone the two small indents just behind the LED housings on the wrap-around "band" of the helmet, so they are now correctly recessed (again, they too were too shallow at first).
Also, I've managed to adhere the raised panel on the front of the jaw. The template I drafted ended up being perfectly aligned with the folds of the base Pep file, heh heh. It looks good.
Oh, and I finally figured out how to do up the nosepiece insert! I have to admit I was a little perplexed as to just how to do that, but after reviewing the pics BishopX and slavefive posted in thier Mk VI Helmet progress thread, and looking at that area on my own helmet, I was able to figure it out.
Unfortunately, no new progress pics to post as yet -- I'm currently in the middle of packing up all of my stuff for moving down to California in about a month, and my digital camera's lost somewhere in the mess, lol -- but once things have settled down for me I will certainly put some up for everyone to see.
And here ends my update...
Skullcandy Girl
Well-Known Member
Cool Spartan, can't wait to see Good luck with the packing
Good luck with the packing
SPARTAN II
Sr Member
Thanks, SC Girl! I'm very excited with all of this, that's for sure... heh heh
inspector gadged
New Member
uguh ughe pictures
looks great at the first pics so can u make more pics
looks great at the first pics so can u make more pics
SPARTAN II
Sr Member
inspector gadged said:uguh ughe pictures
looks great at the first pics so can u make more pics
Well, as I stated in Post # 28:
SPARTAN II said:
Please, please... learn to read each post in its entirety before asking such questions.
Chances are you'll find the answer somewhere in there, and it will save both you and the OP some time in unnecessary posts/replies.
Besides, at the moment, as highlighted in the above quote, I have far more important matters to attend to. So, I wouldn't really have the time to take anymore progress pics or anything of the like as all of my time is occupied.
I haven't made any further progress on the helmet since my last update (looks pretty much the same as it did before), so there'd be no point in posting anymore pics.
Once I've moved and everything has settled down, I fully intend to get some serious work done on my MJOLNIR armour. At which time, I will post oodles n' oodles of pics for everyone to see.
@ rvb4 life: Styrene is indeed very good for this sort of build. Put together, it's very rigid and strong. Of course, that also depends on just what thickness of styrene you decide to use.
I myself am not sure of what the availability of this material will be where I'm moving to, so I may have to rethink how I'll be doing the rest of the armour. Let's hope not, as I would like to be able to have it all crafted out of styrene.
That would certainly make it a unique build, aside from Sean's...
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SPARTAN II
Sr Member
Well, it's been some time since anyone's posted anything, and since I've posted any pics, so as I now have a USB2 compatible computer I figured I'd upload a few, more recent, progress pics of my Mk VI helmet.
I haven't really done much more with it as I've been rather busy sorting through and packing all of my stuff, but at least this way those who are interested can see what little additions/revisions I've made:
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 05 (Front View)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 06 (Top View)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 07 (Nosepiece)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 08 (Nosepiece, close-up)
As can be seen, and as I mentioned in one of my last updates here, since the initial pics were posted I've managed to add the raised panel on the nosepiece. Also, you can see where I cut back the opening for the top vents, and built up the recessed middle section on the brim of the helmet.
I took the above pics prior to packing it away in some box, so I haven't looked at or even touched my helmet since then. At the same time I took those pics, I decided to take a few other pics as well, just to show how it fits my mellon, lol:
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 09 (Sizing # 01)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 10 (Sizing # 02)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 11 (Sizing # 03)
Now, keep in mind that the way it rests on my head in the pics is not how it will sit when finished. I'll be putting some interior padding in, so the jaw won't be so far below mine. Personally, I think it's sized just about right, imho...
I haven't really done much more with it as I've been rather busy sorting through and packing all of my stuff, but at least this way those who are interested can see what little additions/revisions I've made:
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 05 (Front View)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 06 (Top View)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 07 (Nosepiece)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 08 (Nosepiece, close-up)
As can be seen, and as I mentioned in one of my last updates here, since the initial pics were posted I've managed to add the raised panel on the nosepiece. Also, you can see where I cut back the opening for the top vents, and built up the recessed middle section on the brim of the helmet.
I took the above pics prior to packing it away in some box, so I haven't looked at or even touched my helmet since then. At the same time I took those pics, I decided to take a few other pics as well, just to show how it fits my mellon, lol:
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 09 (Sizing # 01)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 10 (Sizing # 02)
Mk VI Helmet -- Pic 11 (Sizing # 03)
Now, keep in mind that the way it rests on my head in the pics is not how it will sit when finished. I'll be putting some interior padding in, so the jaw won't be so far below mine. Personally, I think it's sized just about right, imho...
Looks great!
I like your idea for leaving the vent on top open for now. I assume the reason for that is you'll be building an interior piece to fit in there for venting? You may have discussed that early, but I've forgotten if you said something about that already.
Size looks great too.
Can't wait for more updates, when ever you get back to it that is.
Keep it up.
Magnum
I like your idea for leaving the vent on top open for now. I assume the reason for that is you'll be building an interior piece to fit in there for venting? You may have discussed that early, but I've forgotten if you said something about that already.
Size looks great too.
Can't wait for more updates, when ever you get back to it that is.
Keep it up.
Magnum
SPARTAN II
Sr Member
Thanks, buddy!
I'm leaving the top vent area open as is, and as seen in the first set of pics I posted here, will be fabricating another set of vents and insert them in that opening. That way, they'll be game accurate, and also functional.
I hope to have everything sorted, packed and ready to go shortly, and once I've made this move I'll be able to get back to working further on my helmet and the rest of my armour.
Until then, this is all the updates I'll have for now. I'm glad to hear you like what you see, though. Thanks again for the compliments!
I'm leaving the top vent area open as is, and as seen in the first set of pics I posted here, will be fabricating another set of vents and insert them in that opening. That way, they'll be game accurate, and also functional.
I hope to have everything sorted, packed and ready to go shortly, and once I've made this move I'll be able to get back to working further on my helmet and the rest of my armour.
Until then, this is all the updates I'll have for now. I'm glad to hear you like what you see, though. Thanks again for the compliments!
damasterchief
Member
.... wow nice.... with my helm... its a little tight so im probaly going to do fs helm.... but im like speach less with your helm...Skullcandy Girl
Well-Known Member
That looks awesome
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