I created an about me page, need to look into having it anchored through site (new to wordpress, intend to migrate to a django served blog tho)

about

Update on progress for EF 22

GAH! I leave for EF tomorrow, so much to do, so little time!

(yes, I have known about this for a year; yes I have procrastinated an obscene amount)

Head:

Modelled a polygonal (LoFi) red panda head from reference images in blender (started from scratch, rather than use a pre-existing, high poly mesh). Pictures of the final used model below:

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This was checked for proportions using a reference head, and proper (metric) metric scaling applied. To check, and tweak the model a number of small test prints were made using a 3d printer (M3D for those interested). Minor adjustments were made to the mesh after printing.

The mesh was then collapsed to a 2D net using the blender plugin “Paper Model” (https://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/Paper_Model), a couple of refinements to the mesh were made to make for a usable printable size (1:1 scaling, using A4 paper). A papercraft net of the head is available here:

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Example sheet from papercraft net:

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Building:

So, with a head and papercraft net, now what? …go crazy cutting perspex! Each of the segments of the net were traced onto 1.5mm thick perspex, and cut to shape using a Dremel or small wire-hand-saw.

Safety first peeps, stay protected! (eye goggles, mask, wear appropriate clothing, remain sober while operating tools, etc)

<IMAGE OF CUTTING>

Individual panels will be held together with 3d printed (PLA) spacers, which follow the edges of the mesh. The perspex panels will be glued to the 3d printed parts (locktite: crystal glue), gaps in the seams filled with silicon bathroom sealant.

The perspex panels are naturally transparent (though do block UV…), and so need frosting (or otherwise being made opaque/semi-opaque). Plastic self adhering window tint/decals will be used to achieve opacity in the panels, although “self stick” this decal will be spray glued (to ensure even distribution of glue) to the perspex. Semi-opacity will allow later addition of RGB LEDs to the inside of the head.

Finished shots to follow… unclear if will be finished in time! GAH! *panics* (if not finished, will not take; can always do a cheeky papercraft anyways XD )

GAH! EF22 has snuck up on me! (life got a little crazy recently, moved apartments and *stuff*)

Quick update: Project for b3ta stripped back to get finished for EF22; now, a LoFi polygonal fursuit partial will be made!

A longer post to be made this evening, with: inspiration, concept, modelling, and first WIP shots!
Might post: a paper-craft version, and badge updates.

Apologies for the hiatus, a few things have kept me busy past couple of weeks… Including this new toy… Work halted on suit temporarily, to resume immediately!

Here’s a picture of new toy

*grins* perhaps will be relevant to the b3ta project…

Update to update:

After a little r&r&s in Amsterdam, I realised a potential major issue with the b3ta project, it might not be well suited (fnar fnar) to nighttime use, specifically in the dances. A offshoot for nighttime use is being considered, prototyped in paper… More to follow!

Meaw,
Meawmix!

Intro:
I decided to design b3ta to have a range of facial expressions, the goal being having movements in the face which mimic the movements of an animal (ears, nose, whiskers) and human (eyes, lips, mouth, eyelids, eyebrows).

Doing this will require anamatronics, or put otherwise, the planning of:

What needs to move and how
Testing the desired expressions/movements on the 3d model (rigging/animating in blender)
Abstracting these movements to mechanical motions
Prototyping
Building (3d printing, mechano, wire, foam, motors, linear actuators, guy cord, drive belts, steppers, ping pong balls, abs, silicon rubber, fymo, paint, foam, mesh, wire mesh, dye, …)
Wiring
Programming

… It’ll be a lot of work… Each of these points will be expanded on periodically, as completed and written up nicely. This may cause a delay in some parts as I work sporadically on different stages, to maintain variety in jobs and pique interest (also my problem solving and thought procesess are a little …frenetic).

I think I’ll post the work on the ears next. Or prototype head meshing (from last year).

*excited* @donryuArt (Twitter) drew me this waist up of b3ta!

Great artist, check out his stuffs:
@donryuArt

Looking forward to seeing how he uses his shiny new iPad Pro ^.^

Meaw!
Meawmix

After much deliberation over what to do for first fursuit, I have settled on a Red Panda. whom I shall call “b3ta”. b3ta, so called because I will be using him as a test bed for ideas, before further refinement and improvements (later version, or other fursuits).

Hello people!