Petowalker
Well-Known Member
Hi Trent. Btw, would you share your ways of polishing the Dome as I like it much...
Trooper_Trent's R2-D2 Build Thread (2nd Attempt!)
- Thread starter Trooper_trent
- Start date
I didn't polish it at all. in fact, I even added a layer of weathering to dull the finish a bit.
It just really depends on the lighting. in some pictures it looks really shiny and in others, really dirty.
It just really depends on the lighting. in some pictures it looks really shiny and in others, really dirty.
lol what's this? it's not THAT bad is it?
Tweaked the weathering a bit. I darkened the cracks between the panels to replicate the Tantive IV R2 (I chose that version because that's the first time we see him).
What do you think?
What do you think?
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Ok so I have a question for you "prop replica" accuracy nut, OCD types.
The version of R2 I'm trying to duplicate is the Tantive IV scene, the first time anyone ever laid eyes on our little blue friend.
The R2 builder in me says I'm close enough and should stop.
The RPF prop builder in me says, "Hey! what about those tiny rivets going all along the white areas surrounding the utility arms!?"
When I look at the comparison, the first thing that jumps out at me is the missing rivets, or nails, or whatever they are.
So I want your feedback.
Should I ..
A) leave it alone? as in "That was clearly never meant to be seen and the 'Real' R2 wouldn't have those rivets there."
or
B) it's the little details that count. Even the little rivets tell a story about how he was built both in-universe, and by the prop department. They're there on the real prop, they should be there on my replica.
I have a hard time with this one because while one type of cosmetic detail I agree 100% should be duplicated accurately (ie Vader C scar or Boba Fett's intricately paint chipped helmet) another type such as the aluminum braces mounted to R2's legs to hold them together for a single shot should not be. I tend to lean more toward duplicating every flaw, scratch, dent, ding, and rivet for my own gratification, but I don't want it to detract from the look of it or from what people expect to see when they look at him. I'm sure I'm already going to get, "Why is he dirty?" and I definitely don't want any "why did you nail his panels on?" comments, but at the same time a knowing glance, a thumbs up, or a "nice" from a fellow nerd who noticed them is also great.
When I look at mine compared to the real one, it seems to be missing a small bit of "greebliness", if that's a word, that the screen-used prop has and I think it's because of those rivets.
So what do you say? Yes or No. Your opinion matters.
Here's a quick photoshop to see what it would look like. it's subtle but it's there.
The version of R2 I'm trying to duplicate is the Tantive IV scene, the first time anyone ever laid eyes on our little blue friend.
The R2 builder in me says I'm close enough and should stop.
The RPF prop builder in me says, "Hey! what about those tiny rivets going all along the white areas surrounding the utility arms!?"
When I look at the comparison, the first thing that jumps out at me is the missing rivets, or nails, or whatever they are.
So I want your feedback.
Should I ..
A) leave it alone? as in "That was clearly never meant to be seen and the 'Real' R2 wouldn't have those rivets there."
or
B) it's the little details that count. Even the little rivets tell a story about how he was built both in-universe, and by the prop department. They're there on the real prop, they should be there on my replica.
I have a hard time with this one because while one type of cosmetic detail I agree 100% should be duplicated accurately (ie Vader C scar or Boba Fett's intricately paint chipped helmet) another type such as the aluminum braces mounted to R2's legs to hold them together for a single shot should not be. I tend to lean more toward duplicating every flaw, scratch, dent, ding, and rivet for my own gratification, but I don't want it to detract from the look of it or from what people expect to see when they look at him. I'm sure I'm already going to get, "Why is he dirty?" and I definitely don't want any "why did you nail his panels on?" comments, but at the same time a knowing glance, a thumbs up, or a "nice" from a fellow nerd who noticed them is also great.
When I look at mine compared to the real one, it seems to be missing a small bit of "greebliness", if that's a word, that the screen-used prop has and I think it's because of those rivets.
So what do you say? Yes or No. Your opinion matters.
Here's a quick photoshop to see what it would look like. it's subtle but it's there.
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Sith Lord
Well-Known Member
I'd say leave it alone. In the real world, if some panels have rivets on them, should ALL the panels have them - like an aircraft jet?
What are the two little dots on his centre foot?
What about the tail dangling down in that pic above?
Just noticed - that image only has one Battery Box strap on each box. Is that unique to the Tantive droid, or did others only have one aswell?
What are the two little dots on his centre foot?
What about the tail dangling down in that pic above?
Just noticed - that image only has one Battery Box strap on each box. Is that unique to the Tantive droid, or did others only have one aswell?
I have a bunch of tiny white nails. I could dremel off the heads and stick them on with silicone. That way if I hate it, I can just pull them off with no damage to the skins.
hey trent, my personal choice is no rivets, screws or nails in the skins.
to me with out the rivets/nails/screws it gives it a more futuristic look.
another problem I have is with the screws/rivets/nails I don't want anyone thinking something broke and I did a hack job putting it back together
again this is just my taste
I know a couple of guys have added the visual mounting screws in the skins like we see in ANH but they leave out all extra rivets and screws in the foot shells, and still have him run around with 2 battery box harnesses
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
to me with out the rivets/nails/screws it gives it a more futuristic look.
another problem I have is with the screws/rivets/nails I don't want anyone thinking something broke and I did a hack job putting it back together
again this is just my taste
I know a couple of guys have added the visual mounting screws in the skins like we see in ANH but they leave out all extra rivets and screws in the foot shells, and still have him run around with 2 battery box harnesses
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
joshvanrad
Master Member
I'd say give that a go. If it doesn't look right you can just remove those and be happy with the immaculate piece of work you've got right now.
That is a good idea. Through all the research and millions of times I have watched the movie, I never noticed the rivets. That's why I wouldn't do it.
However, if that scene is the exact version you want to replicate, then go for it. How many other times does that one pop up?
-Eric
edit: based on that pic you have above, would you only use one strap on the battery box then?
The comparison pic is from a promotion shoot, or pre-production. it's the same droid but not in the same condition it was on set. Maybe it was a lighting shot or something.
I say go for it...If you don't do it, it's going to bug the crap out of you.
I LOVE your R2, and I'm thrilled that it's so weathered...But you should still take a round point hammer to various parts of the dome, knock it over a few times, and drag it down a dirt road a bit...Once you've got the panels all crooked, with nothing in a perfectly straight line, THEN you will start seeing some of the wonkiness present in that original.
Great work man...Seriously...Very nice.
Jason
Thanks for all the feedback and opinions guys, I really appreciate your input. I might stick a few on temporarily and see how it feels. we'll see.
I agree.....that amount of detail no one is going to notice.....if I was going to do this after I had painted and so fourth....I think I would look for some kind of punch tool used on leather and just puch lightly the areas of the rivets so it just dents/marks with very little detail just for the indication of a rivet head,groove,etc......
I'm thinking I might just use a vinyl cutter and cut out some very small black circles and stick them on. That way if I hate it, i can just peel them off.
Just practicing my moves and sound responses with the single PS3 nav controller setup
(and accidentally bumping into a telescope!)
(and accidentally bumping into a telescope!)
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