My Steampunk Lightsaber

[Xanatos]

So, Im new at prop making, but ever since I've tried it, I've been obsessed with it. Main inspiriation would have to the Guyver from seeing his pieces that he has done. He suggested I show you all this, so here it is. I leave to the guru's to judge the work. Either way, this will probably be my favorite piece for the time being lol. Check it out.

[Doctor When]

Lovely. Definitely needs more plasma, though.

[Xanatos]

Thanks for that added, I love it. I should really learn how to do that, thanks!

[Lazaras]

The Aetheric torch lives!


Using a simple light sabre effect for the blade, however, doens't feel satisfactory really I'm afraid. It looks like a weapon where the blade would be a bit more dynamic, but I'm not quite sure how the proper effect would be achived.

Post Script: Also having that bit inside the glass glow to reflect the Torch being active wouldn't hurt matters either.

[absinthetic]

That came out really nice! What did you make it out of?

[Thuzle]

I see maybe a pepper mill, salt shaker, two spring coils like you see in a martini shaker... Some fixtures from Home Depot?

I really like it. I think the blade would come out of the entire end (much thicker) then just the small piece. To be dynamic, maybe the force holding isn't so strong. The blade would distort when swung, like a light weight epee.

[Dr. Tobias Archer]

Marvelous!  Two of my very favorite things (those being steampunk and lightsabers) combined once again into a lovely work of art.

Might I suggest adding an electrical arc effect along the length of the aether-blade?  I find the look rather flash, though I confess it is a most daunting thing to animate in a realistic manner

[Mad Maxine]

Brilliant!

[Xanatos]

Thanks for the advice for the blade effect, I agree it should be much bigger. I would do it myself but Im not sure how to start that. Anyone know of a good thread or site that has a tutourial for lightsaber blade effects? Also, yes there is a pepper mill, a salt shaker, sea glass ( for the crystal) a candle holder, a garden hose fixture fo rthe emiiter part, a knob to a drawer, and springs are actually metal craft wire that a wrapped around a pen so I had the right length. I did try to rig a book lamp inside the salt shaker to light it up, but being my first attempt at this, I decided to wait on it. Plus I had no real way, once put together to change the batteries lol. Maybe on my next try,

[Proffesor Lucian Chuffey]

I do rather hope that it is activated by turning the valve, allowing the aether to flow, rather than pushing some sort of switch, as if it was electrical in nature.

[fewterer]

Absolutely brilliant, I love it.

I also approve of the electrical arc beam, very nice.

[Dr. Tobias Archer]

Xanatos, I learned to create the effect at the feet of young Mister Weiber, who is something of a celebrity among Star Wars fanfilm enthusiasts.  His video tutorial is a splendid place to begin learning the craft, though Adobe After Effects is required.  I believe that a trial version can be downloaded from adobe.com, though I can no longer be certain of that.

I have not participated in the community for some many months, but there is a wealth of information to be perused at
the Fanfilm Forum on Theforce.net, including advice on free software for effects.

Enjoy!

I also approve of the electrical arc beam, very nice.

Why, thank you very much for saying so.

[rogue_designer]

Perhaps a small carbon arc? Or continuous Hydrogen reaction?



Nice piece of prop work sir. Very well executed.

[wandering_nomad]

I love the fact that we're able to see the crystal inside of it. The wooden handle is also genius, where did you find that?

[Kabuki]

Quite nice!  I keep meaning to create one of these for myself, but never quite get around to it.

[Keithe]

Very nice work sir.

[Xanatos]

I love the fact that we're able to see the crystal inside of it. The wooden handle is also genius, where did you find that?

It just a pepper mill, used for fresh cracked pepper, I got it at a thrift store for like 0.20 cent.

I also still want to add a valve to it, I just had not gotten the chance to run up to home depot atm.

And thanks for that link for the lightsaber effects I will check that out after work.

[Lazaras]

I wonder if the jedi council would accept this as...no, they want film props, not something like this. Sadly it wouldn't line up with what they want to do.

[Sir Theodore Catchpole]

wow i wish i had one that worked

[Xanatos]

I wonder if the jedi council would accept this as...no, they want film props, not something like this. Sadly it wouldn't line up with what they want to do.

Yeah, Im not fooling myself. I know it doesnt stack up to film prop quality, but I did learn a lot for it being my first try. I already have bigger and better ideas for my next one. I threw this together in less than 4 days. I'll be sure to take much more time and craftsmanship for attempt 2.

[Gadgeteer Extraordinaire]

I had a friend of mine do this http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?t=99427&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=50&sid=f1f94f9dd427ea817ffb2e56196c2244 last year.  It's excellent craftsmanship, and I have the schematics framed in my office at work.  The thread is pic-heavy, but there's some how-to included.

[Xanatos]

I had a friend of mine do this http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?t=99427&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=50&sid=f1f94f9dd427ea817ffb2e56196c2244 last year.  It's excellent craftsmanship, and I have the schematics framed in my office at work.  The thread is pic-heavy, but there's some how-to included.

Yes Im well aware of this lightsaber. Its in fact what made me want to do one. I think a lot of people who are big in steampunk have seen this badass saber lol.

[imperialgirl]

I love it! A pepper mill, you say? Ingenious! The visible crystal is a lovely touch as well.

[Vienna Fahrmann]

     Dear Xanatos,

     Between your excellent light sabre & Alexcf's exquisite headpiece, it makes me itch to sneak into the garage, raid my husbands workbench & start tinkering.

     Vienna

[Mad Maxine]

For Kraken's sake, woman! Follow that urge!