Sword of Protection: The Ultimate 3D Prop
One of the goals I have for this asset is to not only create the sword for my 3D character model, but also make it the perfect asset to 3D print.
3D Character Prop Requirements:
The model could be pretty low poly, however I have plans to make this an asset that can be 3D printed and for some other interesting FX stuff later on. For this reason, I must make this prop highly detailed while still maintaining good edge flow and still not being excessive with the topology.
3D Print Requirements:
3D printing is very different than 3D modeling for an animation or even video game asset. Though they all share a lot of similar traits, they all have very unique requirements. In 3D printing, the most valued part is volume. 3D printing is based on volume and not so much on topology. After an asset is printed there still needs to be a level of cleanup on the print.
One of the things I have found to be extremely helpful is to model it to scale (since I want to print this piece) and what I have found is that making a traditional cosplay prop has been extremely helpful in the process of making this sword. Before I get into the build, I just want to emphasize just how big this thing is! I did a lot of research and math to figure out how to make it to scale. This thing is huge.
I first started by taking my sketch and scaling it to the size and printing it out on paper. I had about 8 or 9 pages of print paper that I taped together. I taped this to some cardboard and then cut it out. This is when it started getting a lot more real for me, just how big this thing really is…
This article is still being written and developed. I want this to be more of a live document that will get progress updates over time. I am much further along in the process; it takes time to update here
