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[Alta]

So now that I'm finally out of college I can start my build :) I've had this thing in planning for a while and have been gathering parts for a long time now. Most of the progress I've made so far is only in the soft parts division (posted over in the female soft parts thread area) but I thought I'd start up a WIP thread as I plan on starting on the armor plates very soon. Anyway, here's my design:



This is my first build and, though I've been reading posts on this site for years, I'm still a bit new. I read the rules sections but I guess I'm just a bit paranoid I'll forget one ^^; Do let me know if I mess up and post something in the wrong area and what not. I'll do all I can to fix anything like that. On another note, feedback is greatly appreciated! I'm not new to cosplay but I am new to armor so any and all advice is appreciated!

[Mandalore the Uniter]

I see some Arabic inspiration in your helmet additions?  Looks pretty darn neat!

[Niabi]

Love the Concept Vod Looking forward to seeing it come together

[Serim Merec]

Ok this looks REALLY cool!  I can't wait to see this!!!!! 

[seugtai]

Beautiful one-of-a-kind concept! I will be watching this one for sure! 8)

[darthmayhem]

looks like an awesome concept

[Byrek Avery]

looking foreword to seeing the helmet come together.

[Drak Fiurr Verda]

Woah..... I don't say that often, good luck on this build. It looks like it can turn out to be one of the most visually stunning sets in the group.

[Alta]

So I FINALLY cut out the templates. Here's what I got.




After cutting them out and seeing how long they were I decided to try 'em on with my vest and belt as I was worried they were a bit too long. The front plates seem OK (assuming I've got them close to the right spot). The back plates seem a bit long however. The green arrow in the second picture indicates the top of my belt. I suppose I should just trim that part down? Would that be OK? Thoughts?

[Byrek Avery]

I think an inch or two off the back wouldn't hurt. The rest looks very solid. And your soft parts- beautiful. 

*Edit* Drake (designer of the plates) suggests removing the fourth plate. Apparently it's overkill.

[Alta]

I think an inch or two off the back wouldn't hurt. The rest looks very solid. And your soft parts- beautiful. 

*Edit* Drake (designer of the plates) suggests removing the fourth plate. Apparently it's overkill.

Many thanks! And I was wondering about that. Since it technically "fit" I wasn't sure but I've been eyeballing it. Easy fix though. Thank you for the feedback!

[Byrek Avery]

Many thanks! And I was wondering about that. Since it technically "fit" I wasn't sure but I've been eyeballing it. Easy fix though. Thank you for the feedback!

No problem! That's what we're here for

[darthmayhem]

ya your making good use of the templates too i did mine all wrong honestly cut em out individually had to seem em together twice lol

[Tracyn Ordo]

I really like your concept and look forward to seeing it come together! What shade of yellow were you planning on using for your plates? Really light and bright or a more natural muted shade?

[Slade Kel]

You're almost definitely going to need to narrow the front plates somewhat; while the shaping to make them fit your bust might solve some of the width issue, chances are it won't deal with it entirely. You can probably even get away with just taking in the chest plates. If you follow the curve made by your left thumb and match it to the collar plate, it oughtta do the job.

Otherwise, nice concept, and good luck making it .

[Alta]

Many thanks for all of the feed back guys! I really appreciate it! I'll get to trimming and refitting those plates right away!

As for the colors, for those of you who are curious, I was actually looking at a metallic gold (that I will obviously weather/mute a good bit, don't want to be TOO shiny lol). The color is yellow/golden in the pics cuz Microsoft paint can't do a metallic gold lol. Should the metallic gold look wonky though there is a yellow that very strongly resembles the one in the concept pic for sale around here.

I hope to have pics of the refitted plates up shortly!

Oh and while I'm thinking about it, are the back plates about right or are they a bit wide too? Just curious lol. Since the front plates are wanted to make sure the back plates weren't also. Simple fix if they are though.

[Byrek Avery]

I use Krylon Brilliant gold, and I love it. It's a very sharp look.

[Hondo Karr]

I would say use rub n buff. You can get it in a variety of metallic shades... bright clean gold, antique gold, bronze and there are probably 100 more. Rub N Buff tends to look more realistic than paints.

[Alta]

I use Krylon Brilliant gold, and I love it. It's a very sharp look.

I think that might actually be what I have at the moment

I would say use rub n buff. You can get it in a variety of metallic shades... bright clean gold, antique gold, bronze and there are probably 100 more. Rub N Buff tends to look more realistic than paints.

Where's a good place to find rub n buff? I'd definitely like to look into it, but I don't remember seeing it around all that much near where I live. Suggestions?

[Muscle]

Not sure if they have them in your area but HOBBY LOBBY sells rub n buff. I would think Joanns fabric would carry it as well.

[Alta]

Not sure if they have them in your area but HOBBY LOBBY sells rub n buff. I would think Joanns fabric would carry it as well.

Fortunately we have both of those so I should be able to find some Many thanks! I also read that rub n buff goes a long way? Sure hope so, they only sell small tubes at those stores from what I can see via their website.

[Muscle]

I too only saw it in small tubes. Good luck and I can't wait to see pics

[Hondo Karr]

Yeah, the tubes are quite small but, it goes a long way. One to two tubes would easily do all of your armor.

[Alta]

Yeah, the tubes are quite small but, it goes a long way. One to two tubes would easily do all of your armor.

Ah, OK. Good to know. Many thanks!

[Alta]

So here's a shot with the front plates more fitted.



Thoughts? And sorry there is no update on the back plates. I took a pic but it has wicked bad quality cuz well...It's hard to take a picture of your own back yourself. Needless to say an inch might have been a bit much. Will take another pic of the back plate when I can get some extra hands and let yall see what yall think.