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Post by redkraytdragon on Jan 29, 2012 6:33:01 GMT -5
Thanks again Dan! I'm finally starting to get really excited about this armor, although I know I've still got a LONG ways to go on it. Each time after I finish a piece it gets me even more motivated to start the next one. I will be taking a break however (about a month or so) as I'm getting burned out between this, my 'real' job, and filling orders (not to mention I haven't even worked on my own costumes lol) So it's gonna be a little bit before the next report, so hang in there everyone cause I ain't done yet
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Post by danrodjr on Jan 29, 2012 7:02:15 GMT -5
Thats cool, we all need a break, the real world, life, and family need to come first.
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Post by redkraytdragon on Jan 30, 2012 8:09:21 GMT -5
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Post by danrodjr on Jan 30, 2012 22:11:47 GMT -5
" The circle is almost complete!" Its looking great. Keep up the awesome work, after your break that is.
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Post by redkraytdragon on Jan 31, 2012 1:34:15 GMT -5
Thanks again Dan!
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Post by redkraytdragon on Mar 12, 2012 0:46:21 GMT -5
Quick update for you all. Here's a first look at the backplate for you guys. Keep in mind that this mold is still under development, but I feel pretty confident that I'm going in the right direction with this. Initial test fittings from the first pull proved favorable, but it wasn't quite 100% where I wanted it to be (particularly on the shoulders). I'm pretty much now at the tweaking stage at this point...just fine tuning some of the curves to make it fit right as well as more comfortably. Take a look: More to come soon
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Post by danrodjr on Mar 12, 2012 23:43:24 GMT -5
No box on the back, huh? I know that the backpack will go on it, I'm not sure if you are going to want to smooth out the curve where the backpack is going to be in order for it to attach/lay more flush on the back in that area.
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Post by redkraytdragon on Mar 13, 2012 1:04:33 GMT -5
Nah, I've got a plan for the backpack, I already have that issue solved just need to build it. The curve will work out no prob
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Post by danrodjr on Mar 13, 2012 2:39:55 GMT -5
Cool, can't wait to see!!!!
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Post by redkraytdragon on Mar 13, 2012 7:04:34 GMT -5
Thanks Dan! My original intention was to mold the backpack carriage box directly onto the back, thus eliminating the need to attach it, leaving only the outer 'shell' pieces of the backpack to be attached. However, given the limited size of my vac table and the height/deepness of the buck, it's just not feasible...alas, I'll have to go the route of making the backpack entirely separate to be attached by the client. It's ok though, cause I've got a plan to make it easier to attach that to the backplate as well Stay tuned!
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Post by Tango Fett on Mar 13, 2012 8:22:57 GMT -5
In my case, I'm building my armor from absolute scratch. First, I tried to build the regular clone back plate with the usual clone back box, but then I realized that it only gave me problems when trying to build an accurate backpack, not only for attachment issues but for the overall look, so I built a new the back plate (build sounds too much, it's basically plastic bent using a heat gun) , this time without the box, and it looks very similar to RKDs back plate and the backpack attaches much better.
RKD, do you have any pics or sketches of your backpack?. When you say the "carriage box" you refer to a kind of "tray" or base with raised edges that has a similar shape with the back plate, where the backpack seems to be attached?. I kind of found that out after reviewing each frame of the movie dozens of times.
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Post by redkraytdragon on Mar 13, 2012 18:49:15 GMT -5
Hi TF, I don't have any pics of the backplate at the moment, but I'll be posting up some pics of some pulls within the next few days so you can all see it. The 'carriage box' that I refer to is the 'under' box I guess you could say that is between the backplate and the outer plates of the backpack (to which they're mounted)...I guess it would be similar to the piece that SB includes in his backpack kits. I hope that makes sense lol
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Post by danrodjr on Mar 13, 2012 23:44:28 GMT -5
Can't wait to see your design
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Post by madphisto on Mar 14, 2012 3:31:05 GMT -5
I agree with the critique regarding the round shaped back. I think the back plate should be more straight. Think of a mixture of clone back armor in the shoulder area and more of a TIE Pilot back plate in the lower area minus the raised box. I think some GMs already did this by cutting away the integrated back armatures of the clone standard back plate and restore a flat back. If you want to integrate a socket for the backpack I'd make it less visible to allow for variations (in case you plan to do a run). I myself for example plan to have only small spots where back armor and backpack will have a connection. Sort of a rail or clamp system. In an ideal case I might use an A-Frame construction that connects with utillity belt, bandolier and the pauldron similar to past and recent military strapping systems. Well I stop here to avoid derailing the thread
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Post by redkraytdragon on Mar 14, 2012 5:48:18 GMT -5
It is a little too rounded in that pic above (of course it's an early one and was still under development when I snapped the shot), but I've since corrected that (no pics yet, but they're comin' ) so it's a little flatter now, but not by much. After doing a test pull and fit session, I've found that the plate hugs very nicely. You'd be surprised how much of a hunch we have on our backs near the lower neck area at the shoulders (notice the curved angle of the backpack on the side shot of the 360 GM ref pic too). One thing I learned from sculpting the Fett backplate is that if you make it too flat it won't come up around over the shoulders and sit correctly without having to form it with a heat gun to fit better to the body. As for the rounded shape on the back, I don't think that really matters if it's going to be covered up by the backpack anyway (and I'm thinking that illusion will also disappear once the pack is attached). As stated in the previous post, I've got a plan for that involving tabs on the backpack for which you'll cut slots into the backplate...since it's all vacc'ed it'll be so light that it won't need much strength to reinforce it. Banzai pointed out to me with a side by side pic that the GM backplate is actually plain and smooth (except for the backpack of course, but I think pretty much any approach can be taken to solve the attachment issue). Take a look But I don't think you're derailing the thread , that's a valid point you bring up and should be addressed considering that this is the armor section and I like to explore all angles before completing a sculpt. But I don't think there needs to be a box anywhere on the back, at least not for the way that I'll be approaching it... but that's just my take on that. I hope to have pics up by the end of the week or early next week to show what I'm talking about and you all can get a better idea of how this piece will fit. Stay tuned!
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