1st Build Scrapper and Gears' ODST Build(s)

[scrapper]

Hi all! First thread here. I'm relatively new to Halo but not to costumes or armor building. I'm currently working on constructing my first ODST- a build I'm doing in tandem with my good friend Gearsofhalo for us to troop together- Idea being they'll closely visually match to communicate two troopers from the same fireteam, utilizing the same base paints, models and shapes, weathering techniques, etc to tell the visual story.

Dan (Gears) between the two of us is definitely the true blue soft goods enthusiast, so im sure he'll stop by the thread to contribute on that front and talk about the options he's taking with his kit as well.

For now, my personal loadout plan is looking like:

• Neck to waist: AguilarWorkshop ODST files, really been loving how these print and assemble so far. photo below of the extent of my assembly so far. should be done enough that i can start finishing work on the core torso pieces as a set by the end of the week unless my printer has other plans ​
• 

  
• Helmet: decided to go with a cast- I'm running most of my armor off my CR-10S which is just small enough where it COULD probably fit the helmet but it'd make me hate my life. Treat yourself right? I grabbed a GalacticArmory cast, was delivered yesterday but i haven't had a chance to open it yet. Stay tuned for that update i suppose. Also grabbed his helmet accessory files to give myself some options to spice the helmet up- i figure i can print a few choices on my resin printers and see what feels right.​
• Backpack: downloaded the FromTheBrinkStudios files off Etsy, rather impressed with its functionality and especially how the files are divided up for printing.​
• Weapons: I really want this part of the loadout to be as pick-and-choose as possible-​
  • For starters I did some ebay spelunking for some toys, quite literally- picked up the Nerf MA40 and Bulldogs to do some modding and repainting with (made a con safe beater EE-3 for my Boba Fett builds out of the nerf special edition blaster a couple years back, pretty confident in my ability to polish these guys up into something legit).​
  • Will also be either grabbing or printing two SOCOMS, I think double wielding them would be a fun tribute to another armor i've built and one of my favorite troopers in all of Sci-Fi, Tech from the Bad Batch, who dual wields DC-17 blasters.​
  • Finally for now, I've printed a classic ODST knife Zealot props so generously put in the free files index recently. Plan being to horizontally mount it on my lower back.​
• I'm also planning to do my own little spin on the iconic ODST clips in metal with a tiiiny bit of visual complication- really looking to add these on and just feel the metal on the straps, if only for my edification. Prototypes are en route, so fingers crossed they work out! Pic of my modeled concept attached.​
• 

I've got an inordinate amount of deliveries out for parts and soft goods right now, so expect a lot of updates in a very abbreviated timeframe on my end- Super stoked to delve further on this build and get involved with the community!

 

[scrapper]

Been less than a day since last post, i know! I got around to opening my packages after work.

First off, the package from Galactic Armory: one GORGEOUS resin cast an a visor im leaving in the bag until its time to tint it blue out of fear of messing with the finish inadvertently

After that, some miscellanious packages, and besides for a noble 6 fig, master chief helmet and a couple soft goods parts we'll get into on a later date, these guys showed up:

They look and feel about how i expected, I'll get to modding and working through them once im a bit further in on the build. the MA40 is missing the little shot counter that slots to the tiny top rail, obviously thats needed at the end of the day so i did a bit of hunting. I found this model for an MA37 with some rail adapters: MA37 Ammo Counter - NERF - Halo - Printable 3d model - STL files .

Is it for the MA37 and not the MA40? yes. Will it do the trick for this? we shall see. I've sliced it up to print between some armor parts.

Speaking of printing armor, I've currently got the side back/kidney plates on my printer as I type this, and with any luck this old bed slinger will have them done in a little over a day. I have a couple more parts for the torso that i'll be printing after this, but before i continue to the arms I'll be turning focus to the backpack so i can start figuring incorporating the rigging between the two as I work on getting the rest of the armor pumped out.

 

[OMalley]

The helmet cast is CLEAN. I'm interested to see how the visor fitting goes for you. Digging the AguilarWorkshop prints too. You, and a few others have me wanting to buy some of his STLs.

 

[scrapper]

The helmet cast is CLEAN. I'm interested to see how the visor fitting goes for you. Digging the AguilarWorkshop prints too. You, and a few others have me wanting to buy some of his STLs.

Cant recommend the Aguilar files enough dude! They've honestly been a joy to print so far. Looking forward to fitting the visor but am terrified of fingerprinting this thing up before I get it into the helmet Time will tell i suppose!

 

[scrapper]

One more update for tonight- printed out the ODST knife posted recently by Zealot props recently. started busting supports off it tonight and actually got a chance to hold the parts in hand and get a feel for them. I really like the blade and the sheath, but the handle was just a bit too small for me at its current size...

not a problem though, tossed it into meshmixer and did some edits, separated the guard from the handle and upped the latter's proportions to 125%, which threw the knife more into scale with combat and bowie knives I'm more used to.
Proportions before:

Proportions after:

Should help me get a solid grip on this thing- i'll toss it on as a quick print with some of my belt parts to get it ready to test out soon.