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Post by fett263 on Dec 13, 2019 10:08:16 GMT -5
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Post by fett263 on Dec 13, 2019 10:11:20 GMT -5
I'm waiting on a few parts, so I'll be painting the helmet first, GEC Props did an awesome job with the Chrome so I had to meticulously tape off everything to prep for primer and paint. This took FOREVER, note to self OCD and taping off small curved sections are definitely not a good combination, I have mad respect for the professionals that make it look so easy, this was a several day project just to mask off this small area. Of course, the weather isn't cooperating so I need to wait for a clear and warmer day this weekend. 
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Post by dayadjocen on Dec 13, 2019 10:11:50 GMT -5
is it time for voice modulation support on ProffieOS and a mask prop? Hehe
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Post by dayadjocen on Dec 13, 2019 10:33:33 GMT -5
The Vellermans do this. So it cannot be that complicated. New inbound audio stream via microphone vs a wav from an SD card. Then we need to apply the effects or pitch to the stream. However I think this is more simple application of the audio effects than trying to do real-time dopplers. profezzorn, interesting idea, no? You think it would be difficult to add microphone support?
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Post by dayadjocen on Dec 13, 2019 11:37:54 GMT -5
Noodling on this topic. Folks definitely have used arduino uno to do this so surely it is possible. www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Vocal-Effects-Box/Obviously the code does not apply but this tells me it has to be possible and maybe not even that difficult? Probably getting this cleanly into the OS is more challenging than the functionality itself.
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Post by dayadjocen on Dec 13, 2019 12:50:00 GMT -5
I also wonder how this would collide with or complement megtoothsith's MiCOM stuff....?
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Post by fett263 on Dec 15, 2019 10:13:42 GMT -5
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Post by fett263 on Dec 16, 2019 18:35:02 GMT -5
Progress, but still a way to go. I haven't weathered the lower part of the chrome yet, wasn't happy with original approach so need to go to plan B. I did however get a TON of wiring planned out and started. I had to meticulously map out and wire up 22 individual neopixel strips (ended up using just under 2m in total). The plan is to break it out as if it were two blades (for config purposes) and branch and connect accordingly once in the helmet to account for the curvature. The little blue tape pieces are the numbers corresponding to the strip that will run under.   I need a break from soldering for a bit, 22 individual strips, end to end connections will be spliced once inside the helmet, I added some slack to each line for routing and splicing.    Board, kill switch, battery holder, buttons and leads for the strips are all wired up too. The sled and battery holder will be mounted in the back of the helmet, the buttons will be under each ear for easy access, I used larger buttons so they are easier to find and trigger in costume if needed.  I began dremeling the "cracks" but it's slow going, starting at the back of the helmet to get a feel, need to cut in a bit to get through primer and paint coats and expose the resin, it pains me after spending so much time on the paint to then be cutting it, have to be slow and steady to minimize needing to touch up the paint. Has tried scraping the cracks but the paint coats are too thick so I'll do a little at a time and get through it.
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Post by fett263 on Dec 18, 2019 18:07:34 GMT -5
Progress! Quick bench test, this is with no diffusion just as a benchmark, strips are only temporarily in place to make sure wiring is all good. Going to be trooping all weekend and seeing the film a few times so I can see how the lighting actually appears. Then I'll get everything diffused and program up some real styles. Still have to do more painting and weathering as well, so still a ways to go, but she fired up the very first time which is always a good sign.
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Post by fett263 on Dec 26, 2019 10:28:03 GMT -5
I've seen the film 3 times, I enjoyed it despite story issues, it is a fun Star Wars"y" movie. But after watching intently I'm tweaking a few things. I will be repainting with a more matte texture, there's definitely a matte appearance so the gloss doesn't fit. But first, I'm actually filling and leveling the majority of the "cracks", and I added a few to GEC's for more accuracy, with a clear painter's caulk. The repair lines in the film are level (or mostly level) with the adjoining pieces and the cracks in mine are noticeably deeper. This will also be a piece of the diffusion as after testing a small sample I think it looks better. This caulk goes on white but dries clear, this will give me more of the look I want for the cracks. It's tedious and time consuming but worth it. 
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Post by fett263 on Dec 30, 2019 12:04:02 GMT -5
Helmet is repainted with a matte texture more like the film and reference shots, it took a while but I really like how it came out. I am back and forth on weathering and darkening the lower portion of the chrome, a lot of the shots look like it's not actually darkened so I think it's a shadow effect from the contour and not an actual difference in the lower part of the mask. I may change my mind as higher resolution images come out but for now I'm leaving it full chromed. I also painted the clear caulk with a transparent red paint, this makes the repair lines stand out more when no light is added and helps with some additional diffusion. Next I'll be lining the inside with strips of packing foam for additional diffusion, then installing the neopixel strips, then working on finishing the rest of the helmet up and lining the interior.   
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Post by darthbrooks on Dec 31, 2019 23:23:10 GMT -5
Now that's a helmet!!!
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Post by fett263 on Jan 1, 2020 15:48:43 GMT -5
I got the diffusion installed, I'm using a thin packing foam cut into strips and doubling up, it is easy to work with and does a good job.   Then I installed the neopixels back in. I haven't lined the helmet so the light is visible, once it's all closed up and lined no light will be seen inside the helmet.   The camera is washing the light out a bit, it's actually nicer looking in person.
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Post by fett263 on Jan 9, 2020 16:12:29 GMT -5
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Post by fett263 on Jan 10, 2020 13:41:39 GMT -5
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Post by Guylo Ren on Jan 10, 2020 15:21:30 GMT -5
Absolutely awesome work Mr Fett,I'm a Kylo helmet nerd so been following your thread with great interest! As far as I can tell there are no other good kits or even toy versions out there at all yet,& GEC is a guy I wasn't even aware of before so thank you for flagging his work up with this awesome build. Regarding weathering- it was indeed very hard to tell in the movie due to the lighting & the finish did seem to vary in different scenes,so I agree that the wise choice is to wait for home release to make sure. Looks amazing as is,great work sir!👍🏻👍🏻
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Post by fett263 on Jan 10, 2020 20:42:10 GMT -5
For those that are interested, to finish the interior I backed each strip with electrical tape and then used felt tape to line and block all internal light. The rest of the helmet assembly was done per GEC's instructions and I didn't get pics of the steps. I used the black foam blocks you see below between the strips so there's not pressing on them when the helmet is worn. The board, battery buttons and switch are all attached with industrial velcro so I can take it outside of the helmet for updating the board, etc. 
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Post by fett263 on Jan 17, 2020 13:48:54 GMT -5
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Post by mandalorelives on Jan 17, 2020 15:31:22 GMT -5
Those look amazing. Such an awesome idea, and ideal execution. Nicely done!
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Post by church on Jan 18, 2020 21:59:38 GMT -5
If you get a chance, would you detail which brand/model you used for the:
-Primer coat -Matte coats -Gloss texture (I know you changed it, but I love the look) -Transparent Red -Clear Painter's Caulk
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Post by fett263 on Jan 19, 2020 8:04:37 GMT -5
If you get a chance, would you detail which brand/model you used for the: -Primer coat -Matte coats -Gloss texture (I know you changed it, but I love the look) -Transparent Red -Clear Painter's Caulk Here you go. As noted I did refinish the helmet in a matte texture after seeing the movie and reviewing the reference materials. The TROS version of the helmet does not have a gloss like the previous so if you're going for accuracy I wouldn't use the gloss texture. 
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Post by fett263 on Jan 19, 2020 8:26:09 GMT -5
I forgot to update, I ended up going back in and breaking the mouth out as a third blade so I could style it separately. So now there are 3 "blades" in the helmet; right hemisphere, left hemisphere and mouth (the library has a separate style for the mouth if you go this route). I also added a blinking sequence when off to the mouth to identify the style since I don't have a speaker to play the font.wav. It just made it easier for now, not sure I'll keep. I've had questions about the "branching" I used. So way back in the very beginning I numbered every crack and I then hand wrote a mapping with the numbers to plan out the direction and branch, my notes aren't going to be helpful so I made this quick diagram of the general idea. Since these are all really short strips I branched them multiple times without issue. The direction and branching was based on proximity to each other but also how I wanted the effects to run, so effects like Tracer have a path but can also appear in multiple cracks simultaneously. Everyone will probably wire a little differently, but there was a lot of thought and planning behind the madness, so I'd recommend thinking how you want effects to go when putting together. As you'll see some branches then split again and others dead end, this is all part of the planning process. This is just a rough idea for one hemisphere, it's not to scale or exact pattern, the helmet will dictate. For the actual wiring I decided to prewire everything, test, then splice as I installed in the helmet to help keep track. I did get mixed up from my own notes a few times so it was a slow tedious process but the end result was worth it. Hope this helps some of you. 
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Post by Sabertec on Jan 19, 2020 19:13:35 GMT -5
I like it a lot! Saw some footage of your helmet on Facebook, but somehow overlooked this thread. Great idea and amazing love to detail!
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Post by cc5052 on Mar 5, 2020 20:59:19 GMT -5
Hey Fett! I just started on mine, and am following your build, but what dremel tip would you recommend for the cracks?
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Post by fett263 on Mar 6, 2020 13:28:10 GMT -5
Hey Fett! I just started on mine, and am following your build, but what dremel tip would you recommend for the cracks? I used a 1/8 inch engraving bit.
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Post by darthhammer on Mar 20, 2020 17:15:18 GMT -5
Hey everyone!
Great work Fett! I am just starting my build and I am pretty proficient with paint and such, but need some help with the LEDs. Where do I get them and can you enlighten me on proffie board and how to set that up? Thanks in advance!
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Post by fett263 on Mar 20, 2020 17:26:57 GMT -5
Hey everyone! Great work Fett! I am just starting my build and I am pretty proficient with paint and such, but need some help with the LEDs. Where do I get them and can you enlighten me on proffie board and how to set that up? Thanks in advance! Join the Open Source group, the manual for Proffieboard is in the Files section, it has all of the information you'll need. m.facebook.com/groups/288564715213016
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Post by church on Apr 10, 2020 15:51:08 GMT -5
Hey Fett, if it's possible, could you post your config.h file? I know it's easy enough to build up one, but I'm sure I'll find a way to mess that up several times before getting it right.
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Post by fett263 on Apr 10, 2020 17:05:38 GMT -5
Hey Fett, if it's possible, could you post your config.h file? I know it's easy enough to build up one, but I'm sure I'll find a way to mess that up several times before getting it right. Not sure if it would help much it's going to totally depend on how you wired everything up and the placement. I'm running it as dual blade with two main trunks but I have several sub-blades on each based on how I mapped out the animations I wanted, if yours isn't wired exactly the same I doubt it would help. Just grab a config from here for how you wired yours up and if you want to go for sub-blades review the manual on it based on how many pixels and the order you wired them. fredrik.hubbe.net/lightsaber/v5/
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Post by fett263 on Apr 17, 2020 9:12:07 GMT -5
Did a quick test suit up (about 85% done)
- GEC Props TROS helmet kit with Proffieboard neopixel installed
- CrowProps TROS Cape and Boots
- PHProps TROS belt
- LeChatlier TROS tunic
- Gloves, sleeves and pants are all from my TFA costume.
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