Remjin Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Okay, so I decided I wantedto make a slick costume for GenCon. I have an idea that's going to require some serious work, but I'm having trouble with some parts of the design. Basically, I want to built a power suit/cyborg type of costume with styling cues from Appleseed and some comic books and even some sci-fi literature and movies. While I have a general plan for the overall construction, I am having trouble with what to do with the helmet/head. Any good imagery for this style thing would be great if anyone has suggestions, especially for the head/helmet. I want my face out of the picture, so its more cyborg than helmet. To exclude some things, the costume should complete as about human size though a bit larger is being included in the design. Thanks a bunch in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume http://triggur.org/costume/mech/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrpZAJ3Covs http://hallert.net/mech/mechcostume.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted November 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume http://triggur.org/costume/mech/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrpZAJ3Covs http://hallert.net/mech/mechcostume.htm Not QUITE what I was hoping for, as I'm looking to make something a bit more complicated than that, but still... some good information in there. The battletech mech was pretty amusing with the video, and oddly the creaking totally fit. =) I'm thinking more in line with Appleseed Orc armor, as that's what originally inspired it. I saw a lot of components I could replicate relatively simply and wanted to make a suit somewhat similar in design but with my own touches. Like Deunan, I didn't like the face. =) So I'm trying to figure out a different helmet and some other elements as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Try a search for Cosplay. There are a lot of costume designs based on various anime and manga. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume In fact- http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=71333 http://www.toymandala.com/aaa311565.html (and Briarios) http://members.cosplay.com/costume/59626/ http://members.cosplay.com/costume/109191/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeropoint Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume I'd LOVE to have a Jin-Roh style panzercop outfit, but it would require more time, money, and effort to make than I'm willing to put into it. The same goes for a Tau Fire Warrior outfit . . . although apart from the helmet, that might actually be easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted November 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Okay, thanks for the links. I bookmarked the cosplay section. The thing is that I'm not looking to make an anime suit, I just got the idea from one. =) And did you guys see the Gundam one? Wow. I could see too much of the wood, though. I'm planning on combining a lot of elements I like from other designs into one total design. The cable sections and general plating on the Appleseed stuff worked for me, but not all of the various design elements were really that appealing. I'm figuring on computer wire sleeves and automotive hose sleeving for any cable needs I may have, and a lot of mesh/chicken wire/wood with bondo to make plates, or possibly other materials. Then there will be the painting. Good thing I know a automotive body/paint guy. =) I'll have to look at the sight further. I was hoping for some alternate designs on head/helmet pieces, I can't seem to come up with one on my own that doesn't go wrong somewhere. I thought I had one for a little bit, then realized I'd drawn a freakin' Cylon. =/ The Panzer cop is interesting. I thought about going in that direction with the helmet, but decided I wanted something a bit slicker and less WW2 reminiscent. Once I get the armor done, I can get started on the weapons and such. That's gonna be tough, too, if I want any of the actions to work it'll just be more work. I just had an idea, but its kind of weird, of going in a western theme... hmmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clsage Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume I'm figuring on computer wire sleeves and automotive hose sleeving for any cable needs I may have, and a lot of mesh/chicken wire/wood with bondo to make plates, or possibly other materials. Then there will be the painting. Good thing I know a automotive body/paint guy. =) I'll have to look at the sight further. I was hoping for some alternate designs on head/helmet pieces, I can't seem to come up with one on my own that doesn't go wrong somewhere. I thought I had one for a little bit, then realized I'd drawn a freakin' Cylon. =/ Speaking as a theatrical tech I will attempt to disuade you from the chicken-wire and wood route. The potential weight issues could be extreme. Might I suggest using heavy duty felt which (after being cut to shape and placed over a rough body mold) you impregnate with either A) bondo tinted white glue C) hot melt glue. For the hot melt glue you'd use a double boiler and several bags of the longer glue sticks. I sort of stole the hot melt idea from a site where a cosplay person was using the stuff to cast parts for a suit of Gyver Bio-Armor. The main site which includes that technique is: http://www.bioweapons.com/BIOWEAPONS/Main.htm And the hot melt (thermoform) casting page is: http://www.bioweapons.com/ThermoForm.htm You could also replace the industrial felt (think 'carpet padding') with fine gauge window screen material. It holds a pretty good shape and when laminated should be both light and sturdy. Mix both (felt and window screening - with the screening on the outside) and you provide a pretty solid 'tooth' for the paint/bondo/what-have-you to stick to..... And of course, if you have a nearby party/costume supply store you could find some vacuformed armor pieces that would be cheap and highly usable as the 'base' to build your creation on. Vacuformed plastic with bondo on it....Hmmmmm. Ok...I seem to have been a bit pedantic. Sorry. I'm doing a consult at a local high school this afternoon and I guess I'm already in that particular mindset. PM me if you want.... -Carl- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Speaking as a theatrical tech I will attempt to disuade you from the chicken-wire and wood route. The potential weight issues could be extreme. Might I suggest using heavy duty felt which (after being cut to shape and placed over a rough body mold) you impregnate with either A) bondo tinted white glue C) hot melt glue. For the hot melt glue you'd use a double boiler and several bags of the longer glue sticks. I sort of stole the hot melt idea from a site where a cosplay person was using the stuff to cast parts for a suit of Gyver Bio-Armor. The main site which includes that technique is: http://www.bioweapons.com/BIOWEAPONS/Main.htm And the hot melt (thermoform) casting page is: http://www.bioweapons.com/ThermoForm.htm You could also replace the industrial felt (think 'carpet padding') with fine gauge window screen material. It holds a pretty good shape and when laminated should be both light and sturdy. Mix both (felt and window screening - with the screening on the outside) and you provide a pretty solid 'tooth' for the paint/bondo/what-have-you to stick to..... And of course, if you have a nearby party/costume supply store you could find some vacuformed armor pieces that would be cheap and highly usable as the 'base' to build your creation on. Vacuformed plastic with bondo on it....Hmmmmm. Ok...I seem to have been a bit pedantic. Sorry. I'm doing a consult at a local high school this afternoon and I guess I'm already in that particular mindset. PM me if you want.... -Carl- Great ideas, I am not into costumes but I know a few people who have an interst and they will probably be able to use the links. Thanks from the peanut gallery...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted November 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Speaking as a theatrical tech I will attempt to disuade you from the chicken-wire and wood route. The potential weight issues could be extreme. [snip] And of course, if you have a nearby party/costume supply store you could find some vacuformed armor pieces that would be cheap and highly usable as the 'base' to build your creation on. Vacuformed plastic with bondo on it....Hmmmmm. [snip] Thank you so much for the resources there. Not sure if I want to go quite that route, but we'll have to see. Hardly something to ignore. I'm aware of some of the weight issues, so I'll definitely have to consider it. I had actually originally thought to sculpt the entire suit using various sculpting products, but it struck me as likely very difficult to paint correctly... plus, I'm being lazy on sculpting miniatures, so I can't imagine I'd be hardcore on sculpting an entire suit. =) I will PM you to see if you have any further details. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweeper Posted November 13, 2007 Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume If you want to do a Battle Armor, why not base it off the Grandaddy of them all? I'm talking about the Ape Armor from Starship Troopers. The book or Chronicles of The Roughnecks, (Not that travesty of a movie). It'd probably be easier to make and you'd some points for originality, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted November 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume If you want to do a Battle Armor' date=' why not base it off the Grandaddy of them all? I'm talking about the Ape Armor from Starship Troopers. The book or Chronicles of The Roughnecks, (Not that travesty of a movie). It'd probably be easier to make and you'd some points for originality, IMHO.[/quote'] Mostly because I don't want to make an extended suit as of yet, just something more conforming to my body. This will be my first effort at something this size with this much complexity to it. The base idea is simple, really, but even that will be a big undertaking. I'm definitely not going to be making an articulated large costume at this juncture as it would just involve too much. If I can encase myself with any decency without breaking the bank, I'll be happy, and then I'll think on tackling something larger like that if things turn out well. Ultimately, it would be cool to have a land-mate type of powered suit like you're talking about, and a suit to wear while inside it for greatest effect. For now, I'll settle for relatively simple and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeropoint Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Skip the pansy Guyver suits and Ape Armors--go as a Valkyrie! (Veritech Fighter). Bonus points for having it life-size! Even more bonus points for going as a human-size chibi Valkyrie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Skip the pansy Guyver suits and Ape Armors--go as a Valkyrie! (Veritech Fighter). Bonus points for having it life-size! Bah! Wimpy.... Life size EVA 01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted November 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Send me the money, and I'll give it a shot. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Send me the money' date=' and I'll give it a shot. =)[/quote'] No problem, a quick scan and little touch up with paint and I'll start printing..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remjin Posted November 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume No problem' date=' a quick scan and little touch up with paint and I'll start printing.....[/quote'] Cool, I'll do the same with the costume then. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 Re: Need Inspiration for GenCon Costume Cool' date=' I'll do the same with the costume then. =)[/quote'] It's amazing how much photoshop can improve ones projects, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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