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Case Mod - In Progress Star Wars Old Republic Case Mods at Computex!

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Boddaker, 27 Apr 2012.

  1. Boddaker

    Boddaker Still hangin around

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    Ok, here's two more mods I'm working on for Thermaltake, based on their Chaser MK-1 and Armor Revo case.
    Theme obviously is Star Wars Old Republic, with the Chaser case as the Dark Side, and the Armor Revo case the Republic. The cases are very similar in style (both use the same chassis), and were perfect candidates for the two-sided theme.

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    Light sabers will be modified 12" CCFL's and will protrude out of the panel to enhance the 3D look and feel of the imagery.
    The front hologram effect will be achieved by employing 3D etched crystals that will be lit from below. This will be the first time I've attempted to incorporate this into a mod, so hopefully it turns out as good as it looks above!

    Artwork will be supplied by Steve Nunez. Case panels have already been sent off to him, so stay tuned for pics of his airbrushing magic! :)
     
  2. Boddaker

    Boddaker Still hangin around

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    Finally getting visible progress on these cases. :)

    Working on the Trooper helmet for the side panel. Cutting some acrylic pieces to make up the frame.
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    Here they are assembled and glued together.
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    Using expandable foam to fill the spaces in between.
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    Once cured, I trimmed it down to the framing.
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    A quick trip to the hardware store to pick up some helmet parts lol.
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    I cut up the washer drain hose and fit the pvc elbows and barbs on each end to create the air supply lines.
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    Next I'll be covering the whole thing with plastic resin to bring the whole thing together. Hopefully take care of that this weekend.

    I also got started on the holo emitter that will be mounted on the front of the cases. I designed it up in Illustrator, then had the parts cut.
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    I was happy to find that my measuring was good and all the pieces fit together. woot!
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    And it actually fit perfectly into the front bays.
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    Now here's the cool part, covered in awesome sauce: In order to re-create the holograms as seen in the game, I knew that mere 2D etching wouldn't be enough, so I had these 3D etches made up. And they turned out awesome! The images are not etched on the surface. They are actually inside the blocks. :D
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    You can see the characters a lot better lit up, but it still doesn't do it justice. I will have to take some video and pan around them so you can see the depth.
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    I had to see how they looked in the case on the holo emitter. I'll be wiring up some leds to light these things from below which should complete the effect I was going for. :)
    [​IMG]
     
  3. ASPHIAX

    ASPHIAX Minimodder

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    Good Luck Brian, the designs look awesome !
     
  4. nom nom montster

    nom nom montster What's a Dremel?

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    looks good due =] cant wait to see this done
     
  5. matiss

    matiss Minimodder

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    Fantastic idea with the holo emitters. Will be watching closely.
     
  6. Scirocco

    Scirocco Boobs, I have them, you lose.

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    Looking good so far! Love the theme.
     
  7. Balder

    Balder Calmer than a monk on morphine

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    Awesome looking case, better then the game itself :D
     
  8. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

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    OMFG!

    I want the dark side more than ANYTHING in the world!
     
  9. sixfootsideburns

    sixfootsideburns modeteer

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  10. alain-s

    alain-s Minimodder

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    Just awesome can wait to see that movie. :D And the rest of the project :p:jawdrop:
     
  11. Boddaker

    Boddaker Still hangin around

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  12. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    I've seen the 3d etch done on paperweights, but d*mn! That's impressive. I bet those suckers weigh a bit too. This is looking interesting.:D
     
  13. sixfootsideburns

    sixfootsideburns modeteer

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    I'm curious how you/they mapped out the etching? Did someone have to model that? Did you get in touch with developers to get a model?
     
  14. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    OMG those 3D etching look feckin insane, that is seriously cool.
     
  15. Boddaker

    Boddaker Still hangin around

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    Yeah, they are pretty hefty. They weigh about the same as a power supply.


    They can make a 3D etch out of any photo you send them. So I just worked a couple of characters I found online and sent it to them. I'm not entirely sure how they get XYZ coordinates from the photos. I initially thought they used gray values to determine depth, but there are darker areas that are shallow as well as deep.

    Thanks Jeff!
     
  16. addonhi

    addonhi What's a Dremel?

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    loving these mods, great work.
     
  17. sixfootsideburns

    sixfootsideburns modeteer

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    Interesting... I'd love to see the process sometime. Anyways, congratz man, the cases look fantastic!
     
  18. dbradford32

    dbradford32 What's a Dremel?

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    OMG! AMAZING! Keep it up! :D
     
  19. Boddaker

    Boddaker Still hangin around

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    More airbrushing goodness:

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    [​IMG]
     
  20. dmcgrath

    dmcgrath Master of Pancakes

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    Wow, these are fantastic. Really impressive vision you have for both of these cases. I saw the pics on Facebook and thought they were just someone's dream cases. I had no idea you made them into realities.

    Great stuff!
     

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