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I make toys for kids who don't want to grow up. I'm on the lookout for new projects. If you're interested in commissioning me to build something ridiculous, shoot me an email.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Victory is Mine!

Last month I sat down and wrote out a tutorial article describing the construction of the Space Marine costumes on Instructables.com and entered it in their "Make it Real" challenge. 

You can read the whole tutorial HERE.

The contest guidelines: take something that started out as something on the computer (a 3D model, CAD drawing, or even a Photoshop sketch) and make it into a tangible, real-life something. I figured the Space Marine project really fit the bill. It turns out the contest judges agreed with me and I was selected to win their grand prize: Winner 
I'll admit that I was more than a bit surprised.

The prize in question is a very impressive 3D printer.  This is a device that will take a 3D object file from the computer and actually build it out of seven different materials in real life.

So now I'm dreaming up all sorts of frivolous uses for it. First I'll be printing 3D models of my own head in various sizes to replace the heads on action figures to match costumes I've built. Then I'll need an MRI so I can get a 3D model of my own skull to print out and set on the shelf. I think my skull would make a great bookend.  I may also make a mold of it so I can cast copies in flexible foam.  Then I can throw my skull at passers-by without harming them.

Somewhere along the way I'll be doing more practical things with this new toy as well.  Any suggestions?  Feel free to leave them in the comments.

11 comments:

  1. huge congrats man, I've been following this blog for a long time (never commented though, probably due to chronic lazyness) and this is trula a masterpiece.

    Happy printing!

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  2. Freaking Awesome! Congradulations!

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  3. Oh screw the Skull, get a 3D Model of your Brain!

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  4. that is fantastic! congratulations!!

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  5. Awesome! I've been following your blog for a very short time now, but I definitely had to vote for that instructable too. It was too cool.

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  6. Your garden gnomes will appreciate new friends, for sure.

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  7. Something practical? You could print me up some of the stuff I woulda done if I had won.... Seriously though, I humbly bow at the feet of your superior awesomeness.These are above reproach and I have loved every minute of reading through your blog, which I did all in one sitting. Congratulations.

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  8. I will need to put this thing to work if I'm going to be able to cover the taxes I'll have to pay...

    Shoot me an email and we can talk prices for your print jobs.

    You read it all in one sitting? Damn. So far it's taken me years to write all of this...

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  9. Fantastic work! I just watched the Youtube video about your armor, posted it on my blog
    http://www.chaos-arts.com/2012/07/space-marine-armor-completed.html

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  10. Congratulations Shawn! A bit late but catching up on your fascinating blog...

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  11. That so cool, and you deserve it. I've always wanted to get a wax print of my skull, so I could make a metal casting.

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