• Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Topic: Lightsaber

I've started building my own Lightsaber, based on http://bigyellowbox.tripod.com/index.htm Style V.
I'm modifying of the original plan, with a threaded rod that'll go all the way through the saber... and according to my plan have a detachable blade that'll screw on the end of the rod....

DAY 1
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417244_10150608818344738_773604737_9116786_849008383_n.jpg
Rough Assembly: nothing is permanently attached.
Top: Control Collar (needs to be cut and stuff riveted to it)
Middle: Main Hilt- parts: sink knob, vacuum hose, ~7" of Metal Pipe
Bottom: Wooden Dowel core... with rubber o-rings
The threaded rod below that.

I'm still building it, so I'll be updating this post as time goes by... big_smile

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Teague
  • Teague
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-11-07
  • Posts: 5,714
  • User Karma: 1,542

Re: Lightsaber

Man, I haven't thought about the Big Yellow Box in a long time.

Cool, dude! Keep us posted on the progress.

Teague Chrystie

I have a tendency to fix your typos.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Montpellier, France
  • Registered: 2011-12-05
  • Posts: 1,140
  • User Karma: 497

Re: Lightsaber

Jeez, Big Yellow Box. Brings back memories.

I built my own lightsaber too when I was younger. The result was... not that cool. I was actually planning to build another one, but then I started studies and the hobby kinda faded away... If I ever need one for a fan film someday, I think I'll just order one from Ryan...

Anyway, that's pretty cool. Pretty curious to see how you're gonna make the detachable blade system!

Sébastien Fraud
Instagram |Facebook

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Re: Lightsaber

Day 2
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422268_10150610858074738_773604737_9121996_988144414_n.jpg
Rough Assembly.
Emitter is assembled and hand grip (white) is on handle (will be dipped in black rubber tonight, hopefully dry by tomorrow).
Control Collar is cut (will be detailed tonight/tomorrow)
End Knob still needs to be painted.

Exploded View
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407374_10150610858159738_773604737_9121997_131746806_n.jpg

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Re: Lightsaber

DAY 4- DONE!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402713_10150615639899738_773604737_9135037_387781499_n.jpg

Plastic Vacuum Hose lower grip has bed replaced with plastic ploy-washers then rubber dipped, to look like the upper grip. That was a BITCH!

Front
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402713_10150615639929738_773604737_9135038_832217712_n.jpg

Back
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402713_10150615639949738_773604737_9135039_1984616401_n.jpg


I'm still finalizing the blade system, however....

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Montpellier, France
  • Registered: 2011-12-05
  • Posts: 1,140
  • User Karma: 497

Re: Lightsaber

Looks amazing.

Sébastien Fraud
Instagram |Facebook

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Bristol. Again.
  • Registered: 2010-06-17
  • Posts: 1,200
  • User Karma: 341

Re: Lightsaber

That's great work!

Extended Edition - 146 - The Rise Of Skywalker
VFX Reel | Twitter | IMDB | Blog

Faldor's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-30
  • Posts: 23
  • User Karma: 1

Re: Lightsaber

Whoa that's so cool Alex. It really turned out great.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Re: Lightsaber

I'm looking at Adobe After Effects.....    O_o
but there's a Student Master Collection that appears to have EVERYTHING for $900, and i might split the price with my dad, so that's possible.

Any suggestions for other software (cheaper/better)?

EDIT: I might get the Production Premium Collection student version for $450... still deciding....

Last edited by Snail (2012-02-18 19:09:27)

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • paulou
  • paulou
  • Knows all the Feminine Forms
  • Offline
  • From: Los Angeles
  • Registered: 2010-06-01
  • Posts: 714
  • User Karma: 174

Re: Lightsaber

Master Collection is a waste unless you're also very into in web, print, and mobile software design.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Teague
  • Teague
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-11-07
  • Posts: 5,714
  • User Karma: 1,542

Re: Lightsaber

Production Collection was what I started with. Thumbs up on that.

Teague Chrystie

I have a tendency to fix your typos.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Liverpool, UK
  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 944
  • User Karma: 365

Re: Lightsaber

I remember wanting to make a BYB saber many years back, but the people in the hardware store had no idea what knurled knuts were.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • paulou
  • paulou
  • Knows all the Feminine Forms
  • Offline
  • From: Los Angeles
  • Registered: 2010-06-01
  • Posts: 714
  • User Karma: 174

Re: Lightsaber

CS6 will be coming out in June, if you're inclined you can install/uninstall the 30-day trial a couple times until then.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

14 Reply by Phi

  • Phi
  • Phi
  • Numbers Commissioner
  • Offline
  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2010-06-09
  • Posts: 333
  • User Karma: 103

Re: Lightsaber

As paulou said, you probably don't need all the things in the Master Collection if you're mostly planning on doing video. We only got it because I also use InDesign and Acrobat for print layout projects. Production Premium is half the price and the only differences are InDesign, Acrobat, Flash Builder, Dreamweaver and Fireworks. None of those are useful for video editing and effects.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Re: Lightsaber

Current Blade Attachment/ Emitter Re-design
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405510_10150627867369738_773604737_9171090_1966818834_n.jpg
Blade attached to a Quick Connect connector.... (will have other connectors for shot blade, back up blade, and display[no blade])

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422701_10150627867459738_773604737_9171092_878154124_n.jpg
same Emitter head will be screwed on to connector (and unscrewed and re-screwed to new one when blade is changed).  Connector still needs to be filed down to fit into head.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418283_10150627867519738_773604737_9171093_1595095123_n.jpg

Quick Connector (Male) (with blade) clicks into Connector (Female), which is attached to Male Hose mender, which is attached to Lightsaber by the threader rod.   Make sense?

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-30
  • Posts: 23
  • User Karma: 1

Re: Lightsaber

A friend of mine has some props that are easy to rotoscope. I haven't seen them yet because I'm picking them up over the weekend. If they are good, I'll figure out a way to use them.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Annapolis, MD
  • Registered: 2010-07-08
  • Posts: 483
  • User Karma: 93

Re: Lightsaber

Keep me up to date on what you guys wanna do for that filming thing. Make a list of shit you need and want for the production like set pieces, props, computer programs; whatever. I'll let you know what I can do for each thing.

Ewing's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Re: Lightsaber

shouldn't we get together and talk about choreography and stuff....?

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Annapolis, MD
  • Registered: 2010-07-08
  • Posts: 483
  • User Karma: 93

Re: Lightsaber

Well yeah, that's a big thing but first figure out what materials you want so you can go "Hey, we could use a and b during this portion" instead of saying "How the fuck are we going to get a and b for this portion".

Ewing's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-30
  • Posts: 23
  • User Karma: 1

Re: Lightsaber

Im thinking about writing a script.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • Snail
  • Snail
  • Just Another Movie Enthusiast
  • Offline
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 553
  • User Karma: 114

Re: Lightsaber

Blade Assembly

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401009_10150633875179738_773604737_9187962_134257715_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420155_10150633875249738_773604737_9187964_1565616701_n.jpg
Short Stunt Blade attached.   big_smile

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430733_10150633875299738_773604737_9187965_1668336852_n.jpg
Close-up of Emitter Assembly. Quick Connector decorated by O-rings.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429035_10150633875359738_773604737_9187966_74873398_n.jpg
Head. Blade goes about 4" into Emitter. Blade is held in by gromits and screw.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/423799_10150633875399738_773604737_9187967_615618050_n.jpg


Thoughts? Any ideas on improvements?

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Snail's Website

Thumbs up Thumbs down

  • From: Norway
  • Registered: 2009-12-01
  • Posts: 1,465
  • User Karma: 248

Re: Lightsaber

Well, however you're gonna fasten the prop blade, it'll be wobbly. It needs to be secured further down the hilt as well, to ensure stability. Just look at the Novus. Ain't no better thang.

Thumbs up Thumbs down