Mechace13 you have a lot of questions, and it's understandable. I have been there, was intimidated by the process, and had my doubts as to why do this. The last few years have been difficult on many people and frequently patience is limited. I don't know how old you are or for that matter how long you have tried to do armour. Take on a simple piece and start. Have fun. You will make errors and re-adjust: if you post pics of your efforts you will get creative and thoughtfull support from members. This is your armour and you can make it as simple or as hard, or as fantastic, as you want. In time, add-on, or start over, and make the armour to suit you - you cannot go wrong.
My ODST armour is complete, and used the Pepakura files mainly from Modeler Hugh Holder to whom I pass on my my most grateful thank you.
Made the pistol and smg borrowing files from many members. I cannot walk about town with the armour on or with weapons, or will be pulled over by the Blue Meanies. It's like fishing, you can read all about but until you get near a river or a lake you will never catch a fish. Hugh's files were great as most fit the first time with one minor exception; the chest piece. I'm a 44" chest and it required many attempts and a lot of reading to re-size, as I really didn't know how to proceed. It was a challenge. The most difficult piece was the visor. Remember, people don't fail, they just stop trying. I wore the armour last evening while freezing on the porch to hand out candy. At 6' tall and 190 lbs, with the armour on and when I don the helmet, cannot see where I'm going. However, it creates a tremor amongst observers.
Mechace13 just start. Members can and will guide you as you venture into the unnown: dont give up, just do it. BTW I'm 74 years young, a Veteran with over 30 years of military service and tours of duty in Europe with NATO and the Middle-East with the UN, you will excuse me if I don't post often. It is always exciting to view pics and read member's build stories. When I take the helmet off, I'm asked to put it back on.