QUESTION - ODST Helmet Face Reveal With Lights

[CYNE 739]

Was wondering if anyone has done this effect with an accurate formed ODST visor? Or was it specifically this type of visor/chrome that allows this effect.

I think I already know the answer is yes, beacause I think I accidentally achieved this effect with my Jazwares chief helmet once.

Searched on the forums and online, didn't really get any answers or before/after photos of the effect, which surprised me. It's one of the coolest aspects of the ODST helmet imo, and it's surprising it hasn't been done alot (it seems).

I'd love to know for sure, because this would be a must-have for my helmet.

 

[N8TEBB]

I've tried to do some digging to see what I can find for you. I'm surprised there aren't more threads about this, because I could have sword I've seen many people do this. Here's some useful information I was able to find:

Cadet gave some assistance to another user in this post back in 2022

As for how to attempt to achieve the effect without the needing any mechanical or moving parts, many of our mirrored our tinted visors work on the principle of the vast majority of the light being blocked on the inside of the helmet. If you hold up most tinted or mirrored visors up on their own you can usually see right through them very easily. I once knew a fellow member who bought a mirrored visor on Etsy and when he got it was starting to complain that he thought he was ripped off as he could see through it and it didn't seem very mirrored at all. I advised him to try it on his helmet before he asked for a refund or made an issue with the vendor. Lo and Behold, once installed on his helmet, it was more than sufficiently mirrored and prevented him from seeing through.

That's a long way to go to just say, it could be possible to mount some nice bright LEDs on the inside of your helmet aimed at the visor that when activated could negate the tint or mirroring effect of most visors enough for your face to be visble-ish. You won't be able to achieve the perfectly clear look of a mechanical moving visor, and obviously not like the in game or CGI in the We Are ODST TV commercial, but it might be a nice approximation for cheaper than moving visor.

A user by the name of Shiroppi made an ODST helmet with lights on the inside to change between transparent and opaque, although I'm not sure his visor has the 3-dimmensional detroi you're looking for. See their thread below

Halo ODST version 3

Since the last time i post here last year, i finished that one and made another one recently with minor changes to the armor . I did a quick photoshoot with it as soon it's done. I will be getting a new one with a different vest style, color, and 3d printed helmet. Any feedback is appreciated...

www.405th.com

Rock Lobbster has made a very impressive 'flip' visor that uses a small motor to mechanically raise and lower a tinted visor. Here is his original thread and an update thread

ODST Working Flip Visor

Hey there everyone! I have been a part of the Facebook group for a while now but I have never posted here. So here is what I’m working on. It is a flip up ODST visor to show combat mode and the clear visor. I have a vacuum formed visor coming in soon (Thank you Sorren Tromp) for the outer visor...

www.405th.com

Working ODST Flip Visor v2

Hello everyone and thank you for waiting for the v2 ODST Flip visor tutorial! Since I have made the first tutorial over a year ago the helmet has seen many different revisions. This more complex tutorial will go over all the additions made along with a fairly basic guide on how to make on...

www.405th.com

You may find this thread to be the most useful. Sean Bradley made an ODST helmet way back in 2010 (no wonder it was so hard to find) using the dark-tinted visor and LED method. The visor has the 3-dimmensional look you're going for as well. He has a video and lots of pictures of the system working. He also gave some general wiring advice. Check out that thread here

Child's Play Auction Custom Odst Helmet

Hey 405th! It's been a while since I've had time and something new to contribute here, so I'm really thrilled to show off one of my newest projects to you! A few months ago Laird MacLean (Halo Unyielding, Paid in Blood, RvB CanWest) contacted me about donating something to his upcoming...

www.405th.com

I hope this info is helpful!

 

[CYNE 739]

I hope this info is helpful!

Oh you have outdone yourself N8TE, all those threads are new to me except Rock Lobbsters, which is a seriously impressive display of skill, but not the direction I want to take (mainly cos I don't think I got the skills to do that!)

Cadets advice there is exactly what I was thinking, I could already see that affect happening with my Jazwares Chief helmet.

I realise now that since I'm going to be doing this for the Halo 2 ODST, I don't actually need a vacuum-formed, special-shaped visor, as their visor design is very flat. Also, the Halo 2 ODST visor is a nice dark purple with bright purple highlights by default, so this effect should be alot more effective than if it was done with a Halo 3 ODST visor colour.

I'd love to test this out once I've got the helmet printed, and a visor handy.

Thanks again N8TE! Hopefully this post will also help others who may have been curious in the topic.