Creating Replica Props from Video Games
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
A guide to creating realistic, real life props from your favorite video games (I
guess it works for TV, movies, and comic books too).
Index
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction – Page 1
The Authors – Page 2
Safety – Pages 2-3
Starting a Project – Pages 4-5
Gathering Reference Materials – Pages 5-10
Supplies & Materials – Pages 10-14
Tools – Pages 14-15
Outsourcing – Page 15
Painting & Finishing – Pages 15-18
Online Resources – Page 18
Useful Retail Stores – Page 19
Introduction
This guide is a collaborative effort by several prop makers to gather the
massive amount of information that we've learned over the past several years
about creating replica props. The four of us got together to do a panel on the
subject for PAX East 2012 and decided to collect what we've learned in this
comprehensive guide to creating realistic props, specifically those from video
games.
Bear in mind that the words below reflect the state of retailers, techniques
and available materials in the spring of 2012 and much of the information may
change as time moves forward. This document is a work in progress. There are
some topics that aren't yet covered here (*cough* mold making *cough*). I
promise that these areas will be addressed in a future version.
We truly hope that you can learn from this guide and share your creative
projects with the rest of the world. Thank you for taking a peek into our world.
Bill Doran – April 2012
1
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
The Authors
Bill Doran - http://props.punishedpixels.com/
Matt Munson – http://mattmunson.blogspot.com/
Harrison Krix – http://volpinprops.blogspot.com/
Zander Brandt – http://zprops.blogspot.com/
Safety
You probably won't be working with super industrial, heavy duty machinery,
but there are still many safety concerns that should be kept in mind while
building replica props.
Just about every safety lesson you should have learned in shop class applies
here. You will end up working with power tools, sharp objects, and chemicals.
All of those “common sense” safety tips apply, with a few specific concerns.
Get a respirator, right now. Go
ahead, I'll wait. Got it? Ok great!
It's the best $30 you'll spend at
the hardware store. Also make
sure to buy replacement filters
at the recommended intervals.
You will be using some smelly,
toxic stuff and a good respirator
will keep your lungs healthy and
happy.
2
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
A dust mask will keep harmful
dust (like sawdust or Bondo
dust) from caking your lungs
with gunk. It won't keep fumes
from getting to you like the
respirator, but it is the minimal
line of defense against dust
particles.
The goggles! They do nothing so
much! Seriously though, with
the amount of flying debris that
will be headed towards your
face, it's only a matter of time
before a shard of it takes out
one or both of your eyes. Protect
yourself.
A pair of good, leather
gardening gloves will pay
dividends throughout your prop
making career. These are cheap
and will protect your digits from
most (non power driven) blades
as well as high heat while
handling hot plastics.
VENTILATION: I mentioned earlier that you would be working with lots
of toxic fumes. While the respirator is helpful and necessary, it is best to double
up the safety by working in a well ventilated area. This is especially important
when working with spray paints and Bondo. If possible, do most of your toxic
chemical spraying outside. If that isn't a possibility, then paint near a large
window with a box fan pointing OUT. You can also set up such a fan with an air
filter to clean the air a bit before it passes through your fan and out into the
world at large.
A good guideline: If you can smell the spray paint or other nasty
chemical stinks, you're probably doing it wrong.
3
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
Starting a Project
You're ready to start your very first replica prop project, bravo! Let's get
started.
Pick something that is appropriate for your skill level.
You may want to jump in feet first and craft a full scale, functional
Normandy SR2, but if it's your first project you should consider starting small.
If you are really new to the art, then consider modifying an existing toy or
model. There is a huge online community that mods Nerf guns and other toys.
This is a great way to cut your teeth on some new tools and practice refinishing
plastic to look like metal or wood. Another option is to purchase a blank “kit” of
an item that has been crafted by another prop maker. You can practice
assembling and painting on something like this:
Be mindful of the tools you have at your disposal.
Your tool arsenal limits what you'll be able to accomplish. Do you have the
funds to purchase new tools that you may need? Keep that in mind when
picking a project.
Budget your cost.
Odds are you will be funding your projects with your own disposable
income (unless you have a sugar daddy, you lazy jerk). You will quickly learn
how fast this hobby can make your hard earned cash vanish. Do yourself a
favor and set a hard monetary limit on your project costs before rushing to the
store to stock up on materials.
A strict budget may keep you from starting a more complicated build. This
4
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
isn't a bad thing, especially if you're new to prop making. You will inevitably
mess up and ruin expensive materials and have to rebuild some parts (or entire
projects). Try to reign in the spending, especially early on.
Also consider using cheaper materials in the place of their expensive
counterparts. Buying vinyl cloth instead of leather or plastic instead of metal
will keep your costs down and expand the options for your choice of projects.
Budget your time.
You will probably end up having a deadline for your prop or costume
build. Usually that deadline is determined by the next comic or video game
convention. You may have to finish several projects before you get a good read
on your build pace. The best practice is to try and finish a build a couple of
weeks early. Time eating issues tend to pop up on every project, so give
yourself some wiggle room.
Gathering Reference Materials
Getting accurate reference images for your builds is crucial when your goal is
accuracy. With video games, there are many ways to get your hands on high
quality reference material.
Google (or Bing, HA! Riiiiiiiight...) Image Search
The quickest and easiest way to get your hands on some in-game screen shots
is to do a quick web image search. Be sure to use the largest image size filter
that still yields relevant results. Try to find images that are good orthographic
(front/side/top) representations of the object that you're trying to replicate. If
you're really lucky, you'll find photos of a really good prop that someone else
has already made!
5
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
In-Game Image Gathering
If the internet isn't providing fruitful,you'll have to gather your own images
from within the video game. Usually, the easiest way to gather in-game footage
and images is from a PC, as opposed to a console (PS3/Xbox360/Atari 2600).
• The PrtScn (Print Screen) button will copy a still image of whatever is on
the screen and send it to the clipboard. After nabbing the image, go to
your favorite image editor (Photoshop/GIMP/MS Paint) and paste the
image into a new document.
• Some games have a dedicated screen shot button that will grab a still and
send it to a specified folder on your computer (bless their hearts!). Look
in the control menus of your favorite game for these kind of controls.
Cinematic Image Gathering
Sometimes the best references are in pre-rendered cinematic movies.
Nowadays, many of these videos are available in HD1080 resolution on
YouTube. You can bust out your PrtScn skill here too! Be sure to run the video
at the highest resolution and run it full screen. Then pause on the best frame
and snap your image.
If you're on Windows, you can use the Snipping Tool. It allows you to draw a
box around any screen area and snap a still of it.
6
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
In-Engine Model Viewing
If you're REALLY lucky, the video game you require references for will have
some kind of built in 3D model viewer. These kind of viewers usually let you
cycle through all of the game models. Sometimes you can use them to play all
of the animations and poses. The best feature is that you can rotate the view
around an object and take screen shots from all angles.
Valve's Source SDK has an excellent viewer that let's you view any model
made for the Source engine (Team Fortress 2/Half Life 2):
There is also a utility called 3D Ripper DX. This doesn't work for all games and
engines, but it is worth a try if you're having trouble getting reference images
any other way.
When taking screen shots from in-game models, beware overt focal distortion.
This is when the camera is zoomed way out, causing the parts that are closer to
the camera to be way bigger than those that are further away.
Game Art
Oftentimes, a popular video game will have a book of game art made available.
These can prove extremely valuable when looking for concept art of your
desired items. Plus, they're usually really awesome to have on your coffee
table.
Another great resource for game art is the personal websites of video game
concept artists.
7
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
Screen Shots from Video Game Consoles
Sometimes your favorite video game is not available on PC. When you're done
crying in your breakfast cereal, you can go purchase a video capture card for
your PC and run the video from the console into your PC to get screen shots
that way. This method can get pretty expensive, depending on the video
capture card you buy and what resolution you want to capture your footage in.
A cheaper and far less effective method is to simply take photos of your
television screen with the best camera that you own (yes, I've done this, it isn't
very good, but it's better than nothing).
Vector Your References
When you have all of your reference images collected, it is extremely helpful to
trace some vector line drawings of the object. You can use applications such as
Illustrator, CorelDraw or Inkscape (FREE). These 2D drawings can be scaled to
the proper dimensions and printed to use when cutting out pieces of your
project.
These kind of vectors can also be used if you plan on having your pieces cut
out with a laser cutter.
If your printer isn't big enough to handle the pieces that you have drawn up,
you can either print them in pieces and tape them together or go to a place like
Fedex/Kinkos to have them print it on their large format printers.
SCALE YOUR OBJECT before you start cutting out pieces. Test the size with a
printed out version and re-print new sizes to do comparisons. Finding out the
object is far too small after you've already cut out all of the pieces is
heartbreaking, unless you have children who want to be Commander Sheppard.
8
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
3D Modeling Software
If you're really dedicated, you can re-create your object in a myriad of 3D
editing applications. This is useful and necessary if you plan on having any of
your parts 3D printed or sculpted with a CNC machine.
Software
• Google Sketchup (FREE)
• Blender (FREE)
• Maya (Has a free version)
• 3D Studio Max
Pepakura
If you've created a 3D version of your object, you can go the super cheap
route of pepakura. You can also search the web for already made pepakura files.
For the uninitiated, pepakura is:
Paper models, also called card models or papercraft, are models constructed mainly from sheets of
heavy paper, paperboard, or card stock.
The application Pepakira Designer converts 3D models into flat, laid out
versions of your prop pieces that you print onto heavy card stock. Then you cut
out the pieces, glue them together and VOILA! You've got a prop!
9
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
This is a very quick and cheap method for building props, but it does have
many limitations. Mostly, the finished pieces lack the fine detail and polish of a
solid prop build from plastic, metal or wood. Also, they have a tendency to be
flimsy and not very durable unless properly reinforced.
Prop Making Materials
The materials that you end up using will depend on your budget, the tools you
have available, material availability, and how comfortable you are using them.
Different and exact levels of quality can be achieved using a variety of materials.
Ultimately, there is no “perfect” way or material to build your props.
The Giant List of Prop Making Materials
Woods and MDF
• MDF
• PROS:
• Found easily in hardware stores
• Glues easily
• Sands easily
• No woodgrain
• CHEAP!
• CONS:
• Extremely toxic to cut/sand/shape
• Very susceptible to moisture
• Can’t take fine detail into surface
• Heavy
• HARDWOODS
• PROS:
• Found easily in hardware stores
• Glues easily
• Very strong
• Can make a very pretty finished piece
• CONS:
• Woodgrain is difficult to carve around
• Can be harder to cut than MDF or softer wood
• Hiding woodgrain under paint can be tricky
• Foams
• EVA (“CRAFT FOAM”)
10
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
• PROS:
• Resilient to damage & rough handling
• Glues easily
• Cuts easily
• Quick to work with
• CHEAP!
• CONS:
• Cannot sand/sands very poorly
• Large sheets can be difficult to source
• Low density foam is flimsy
• POLYSTYRENE FOAM (PINK/BLUE INSULATION FOAM)
• PROS:
• Found easily in hardware stores
• Easy to sand/cut
• Very lightweight
• CONS:
• Any solvent paint/medium will dissolve it
• Very fragile
• Cannot take intricate shaping/carving
• EXPANDING FOAM
• PROS:
• Found easily in hardware stores
• Quick way to fill cavities
• CONS:
• Carving often leaves large voids/bubbles
• Difficult to shape well
• Large amounts can get pricey
• High quality expanding foam is pricey ($90+/Gallon)
• FLORIST’S FOAM
• PROS:
• Found easily in craft stores
• Somewhat easy to shape
• Very lightweight
• Resistant to solvents
• CONS:
• Extremely fragile
• Can’t take detailed carving
• Difficult to glue or attach to other parts
• Plastics
• ACRYLIC
• PROS:
11
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
• Found easily in hardware stores (Limited sizes, all clear)
• Glues easily
• Sands easily
• CONS:
• Brittle
• Hard to find in more than 2 sizes (without mail ordering)
• Difficult to form to curved shapes (without vacforming)
• Difficult to cut with standard tools
• PVC PIPE
• PROS:
• Found easily in hardware stores
• Tons of sizes
• Glues easily
• Very strong
• CONS:
• Pipe only; do not try to heat bend!
• Can be tricky to paint
• Unique sizes can be expensive
• PVC SHEET (“SINTRA”)
• PROS:
• Tons of sizes/thicknesses
• Glues easily
• Paints easily
• Very strong
• Easy to shape, sand, form to curves
• CONS:
• Thicker sheets can be expensive
• Fumes from heat shaping are toxic
• Difficult to form into compound curves
• STYRENE
• PROS:
• Tons of sizes, shapes, dimensions:
• Sheet, bar stock, patterned parts
• Glues easily
• Forms easily
• Sands and takes paint well
• Cuts easily with exacto blade
• CONS:
• Difficult to find in “moderate” scale - 4’x8’ or small sheets only
• Thinner sheets can be flimsy
• Complex forming requires vacuumform machine
12
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
• Resins and Clay
• APOXIE SCULPT (MAGIC SCULPT, 2 PART EPOXY CLAY)
• PROS:
• Easy to shape, sand, machine
• Paints easily
• Non toxic
• Long working time
• Takes very intricate detail
• CONS:
• Expensive
• Heavy
• Fragile when parts are thin
• BONDO (POLYESTER RESIN FILLERS)
• PROS:
• Easy to shape, sand, machine
• Paints easily
• Cheap
• Available almost everywhere
• CONS:
• Very toxic
• Very messy (dust, goop everywhere)
• Tedious to sand and shape
• POLYESTER RESIN (“FIBERGLASS” RESIN)
• PROS:
• Cheap
• Available at most hardware stores
• Very strong
• Lightweight when used correctly
• CONS:
• Very toxic
• Very messy
• Fast working time
• Difficult to sand
• Brittle when used alone
• URETHANE RESIN
• PROS:
• Non Toxic
• Easy to sand
• Fast cure time
• Easy to paint/dye
• Lots of different options (cure time, color, hardness, etc)
13
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
• CONS:
• Requires use of a mold in most instances
• Pricey ($90-$150/gallon)
• Has a “shelf life” and will not be usable after a certain time
Tools
The tools that we use serve a couple of important functions. The make the work
we do go faster and they make the work more precise. As you acquire better,
more professional tools the build times go down and the quality tends to go up.
This is, however, no reason why you can't create amazing props with very basic
tools.
The Giant List of Tools
•
Beginner Tools / Must have for any builder.
• Dremel/Rotary Tool
• Hand Tools
• x-acto knife and various blades
• Assorted files, large and small
• Sanding block / sand paper
• Coping Saw
• T-Square / straight edge / 321 blocks
• Hack Saw
• Single edged razor blades / Box knife
• Plastic cups, popsicle sticks (for resin mixing)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Toothpicks
• Clothes pins, clips of various sizes
• Rubber Bands
• Q-Tips
• Gram Scale
• Mixing buckets and paint mixing sticks, or drill mixers
• Paint Brushes and Chip Brushes
• Sculpting tools and clays
• Spray Primers and Paint
• Acrylic Paints
• Isopropyl alcohol / Mineral Spirits / Paint Thinner
• Latex gloves
• Mid Level Tools
• Table Saw
• Band Saw
14
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
• Belt and Disk Sander
• Drill press
• Scroll Saw (bench top)
• Jig Saw (hand held)
• Circular Saw
• Vice
• Airbrush / Spray Gun / Compressor
• Router or Router Table.
• Soldering Iron
• “The Chopper”
• Advanced Machinery
• Lathe
• Mill
• Grinder
• Vacuum Former
• Laser Cutter
• Vinyl Plotter / Cutter
• MIG Welder
• CNC Routing / Mill / Lathe
• Chop Saw / Miter Saw
• 3D Printer - Makerbot
Outsourcing
Sometimes you just don't have the time, resources, or skill to build a
certain piece of a project. Do you have some spare cash burning a hole in your
pockets? If so, you can pay some of these fine folks to fabricate parts for you!
• Ponoko – Laser Cutting
• Batch PCB – Printer Circuit Boards
• Shapeways – 3D Printing
• Chroming Shops
• Another prop maker who is looking for work
Painting & Finishing
Once your prop has been built, you'll probably want to finish it off by
painting it. This is where a lot of the real artistry comes in, especially when it
comes to the weathering process.
The General Process
• Sanding
• Primer
15
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sanding (again!)
Texturing (if needed)
Base Coat of Color
Top Coat of Accent Colors
Decals
Weathering
Clearcoat
General Theory
• Keep in mind that items should be weathered as they would in the
real world!
• Nothing starts off from the factory with “battle damage”
• Don’t try to disguise bad work as “weathering”
• The best weathering jobs are intentional
• Colors and mixing
• Dirt is more than brown, grime is more than black
• Rust has purple, yellow hues
• Examine real-world items and draw inspiration there
• Break away from videogame renders; think polygons to texture
maps. You wouldn’t make a rifle show all the angled polygons
and pixelation; weathering should look real
• Less is more (Trite but true)
• Overdone weathering will make a piece less believable
• Consider actual wear areas and maintenance
• A rifle receiver bolt will be shiny and silver from use, the butt
stock will be worn
• Don’t weather areas that won’t see weathering!
Materials
• Paints
• Acrylic:
• easy to use
• easy clean up
• non-toxic
• Enamel:
• hand painting
• harm health
• very slow dry
• harm plastic
• Lacquer:
• beautiful gloss
16
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
17
• very tough
• harm health
• hand painting
Spraypaints
• Textured, gloss, matte
• Primers
• Clearcoats
Rub n’ Buff
• Nice “metallic” look and shine
• Can wear off over time
Powders/Fillers
• Metal fillers
• silver, brass, iron filings
• Texture fillers
• Grit, sand, shale flake
• Other “found” objects: Sand, Glitter, etc
Painting Rack(s)
• PVC and cheap clips from Home Depot. A good paint rack
is an afternoon project that will save a ton of time and
frustration down the road.
Texturing
• Hammered paints
• Grip textures
• Plasti-Dip paint
Paper Towel technique
• Recreates the process of wiping off a replica with a dirty
rag or cloth. Lower areas retain layers of paint while raised
parts are “cleaned.” Because of the paint loaded on the
paper towel, even “clean” areas have a tint of grime.
Condiment Technique
• Additive process of “painting” on a substrate that will not
cure or adhere to layers of spray topcoating. In this
example, mustard is used, several layers of paint are
added, and then the mustard is scraped off from
underneath the paint revealing the coat of paint
underneath. This will work with a variety of non-food
items as well, such as liquid latex.
Scratches/damage
• Consider HOW the part will be damaged; what is likely to
be scuffed, scratched, dented, and how often.
• rocks, driveway
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
•
•
•
•
• Engraving tools
• rotary tools
Drybrushing
• Usually done with silver; process involves getting a very
light amount of paint on a brush and lightly scraping
raised areas in order to make highlights. Simulates gentile
wear and paint scuffs well.
Antiquing
• Process of painting over a brighter undercoat with a
darker layer, then using a polishing method (steel wool,
sandpaper, etc) to bring out raised areas as highlights.
Decals
• Water Slide - only darker colors over lighter colors. Can be
printed through home printers, but inkjet prints will need
to be “sealed” in clearcoat before application
• Vinyl - Thicker, less intricate, but crisp and sharp colors
• Dry transfer decals - expensive and difficult to source in
small quantities. These usually come from hobby stores in
set fonts/patterns
• Vinyl masking - like very complicated masking tape! Cut
out a negative of the design and paint in the void, then
remove the decal when the paint is cured
• Printed decals - hard to color match, but cheap and easy
to reproduce. Like water slide decals, these will need to be
sealed before weathering.
Clearcoating/finalizing
• Use a different chemical than your weathering coat
• Test first! Some paints can dissolve others!
• Terms:
• Gloss: Shiny
• Satin: Semi-glossy. Somewhat duller
• Matte: Less glossy still, but still some sheen
• Flat: No shine at all
Online Resources
•
•
•
•
•
18
http://www.thereplicapropforum.com/
http://thesuperherocostumingforum.yuku.com/
http://astromech.net/forums/index.php
http://theleagueofheroes.yuku.com/directory
http://bbrotherhoodofthebat.runboard.com/
Creating Replica Props from Video Games
•
•
•
http://www.501st.com/
http://cosplay.com/
http://www.makerbot.com/
Useful Retail Stores
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
http://www.harborfreight.com/
http://www.micromark.com/
http://www.mcmaster.com/
http://www.homedepot.com/
http://www.lowes.com
http://www.shapeways.com/
http://www.smooth-on.com/
http://www.silpak.com/
http://www.burmanindustries.com/
http://www.amazon.com/
That's it for now. There's nothing left to read down here...
I mean it. I'm all done. It's my 30th birthday and I'm going out for drinks.
19