This is a new installment for us. We are officially opening up our Saber Industries Division within PolyTrek Industries, and we're proud to announce we already have a few surprises underway. Below, you'll find some of the more prominent commissions and projects that we feel would be awesome to show to the public. Take a look!
SABERWORKS: RCS-G and LFSS
More work for SABERWORKS (to place and order go here: http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=29828.0 All you have to do is become a member of the fourms). First off an new version of their RCS, the RCS-G (Ribbed Chassis System-Graflex). This is design for the differnt internal radious of the Graflex flash gun used for the Prop of Luke Skywalker's saber (ANH and ESB). Fits both original and replica Graflex, and also includes a spot for your speaker just like the first RCS.
Next up is the new LFSS (Low-Footprint Saber Stands). These are small display stands fr sabers, when you don't exactly have a lot of space for larger displays, but still want to show off your sabers. There's a shorty and a tall version, and a couple stand version is coming soon as well. Available in both black and white frost, the latter of which is perfect for a little light show.
SW: Custom Saber Prop: RK1
JUST RELEASED! Our first public run, this is a replica of a lightsaber used by the characters Qu Rahn then Kyle Katarn. Featured in Dark Forces 2 PC game, it given to Kyle, then destroyed near the end of the game.
We poured over the live-action cutscenes of the game to try to recreate the an exact replica, and we think we did pretty good job. It has a main internal diameter of 1.15in to allow for the installation of electronics, however looking or a belt/wall hanger, optional pins are available (you'll need three of them) that are easily installed using glue. The holes themselves are set up to be threaded for 8mm screws.
Here's a link to the our own shapeways.com shop where you can order the parts: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/polytrek
Below you find some renders and a quick "how to assemble".
Here's a quick look at all the parts. as you can see, the "control bar" has a depressed section. This will allow for further customization for those installing electronics. A perfect spot for a switch.
First get you parts together: One main body, one pommel, one control bar, and 3 pins. We suggest painting/modifying the parts as you wish before final assembly. When they comes from shapeways.com, they'll be a single color (color depends on what material you get). We suggest the rubb-n-buff brand colors "silver leaf" and "grecian gold" for the metal colors. We also suggest Standard flat black spray paint will do for the black areas, although alternatively, you can get all of the pieces in black to save on painting.
Next, slide the pommel into the rear end. Make sure to line up the notches inside the main body, and make sure the pin holes are lined up as well.
Next, insert the control bar in the slot in the middle of the body. Push it up as far as it'll go, and the holes above and below should line up perfectly.
Lastly, dab just a little bit of glue onto the pins, then insert them into the holes.
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SABERWORKS: Ribbed Chassis System (RCS) - Featured at http://www.fx-sabers.com/
Designed to be used in The Custom Saber Shop's Modular Hilt System (MHS), this electronics sled is sued to hold batteries, switches, circuit boards, ect, and is completely customizable to the buyer's needs.
Commissioned by the same sabersmith at FX-Sabers who hired me to do his Jedi Dooku Saber, this build was his idea to make available to the saber-smithing community, and this is the end result. There are some more plans to make an "elite' version, but that's a secret =P. This is being made available to saber-smiths over at FX-Saber Forums, and is being created through shapeways.com, a 3D printing service site. You can check out more info, photos, and a video here: http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=28926.0
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SW: Jedi Dooku Saber - Featured at http://www.fx-sabers.com/
Commissioned by Begger's Outpost at FX-Saber Forums, a saber smith there, I was at the time taking a hiatus, but I liked the design so much, I decided to do it. After quite a few revisions, it took a bit longer than normal to make it. In fact, this is more of an "artist proof" as there's some rumors of a run of these being made available.
The story behind the design, is that is was Count Dooku's saber when he was a Jedi, before he turned to the Dark side, and became the evil villain lackey we all know and love from Episode 2 and 3.
At first the design was going to be cut with a CNC machine, but then the decision was made to make it using the 3D printing process over at shapeways.com. The material is called alumide, and it's pretty tough stuff. although able to be polished, he opted to leave it in it's rough form. You can find out more info, pics, and video with electronics added, here: http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=27619.0
Blueprint: The original concept from the client:
Renders: Built/rendered in 3D Studio Max, with some dimensions and mechanical design in Rhino 3D. Textures and F/X are 3DS procedurals. The saber was built in parts. Below you first see the "core". The strange large hole you see is actually were the speaker is. An indent was created so the the sleeve could be slid over a speaker mesh without trouble. Second, you'll see the "blade holder" (does exactly what you think). When the decision was made to switch it over to 3D printing from CNC machining, I had to up-res(olution) the poly-count so that there wouldn't be any weird hexagonal flat lines on the end physical piece (which you'll see on some of the final pieces anyways, as the client decided to leave some of that in, since it's only an artist proof). I did some simple sub-division action, and it came out like so.
Final Product:
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SW: Graflex Katana Ssaber - Featured at http://www.fx-sabers.com/
UPDATE!: Working on a rebuild of this saber. Go here for more info:
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=23994.0
This is a little fna project I have going right now. Now, I'm sure you've easily figured out what the heck it is. A lightsaber with a katana hilt. but what the heck is a "Graflex" you ask? well let me tell you. For the original trilogy of Star Wars, the props used for lightsabers were old camera flash guns (Well... Obi-Wan's was a conglomeration of about 8-10 parts of random stuff, but that's beside the point). The specific brand of camera flash gun used for Luke Skywalker's lightsaber for episodes 3 (A New Hope) and 4 (Empire Strikes Back) is "Graflex". So...now you know. For more specific information, check out this thread at FX-Sabers: http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=5996.0
Anyways, I wanted to do something to practice my skills, so I just started with it and went. Well, some members of the FX-Sabers forum liked it so much they asked for a run. So that's exactly what I'm going to do!
Styled in the form of the "Empire Strikes Back" (ESB) version, here it is with full furniture:
Originally, the foreward end had raised surfaces like the rear (minus the square raises on those) to better simulate the look of a techno katana, but I felt it was just way to load in detail. Also, something that you rarely ever see in lightsabers, it's rectangular in shape for a better look and grip.
There's a lot more to tell, but I can't! I'll keep updating here as I am finishing up developing it. Click the link below to see other lightsaber designs I've done, as well as more info on the Graflex Katana (GK) Lightsaber: FX-Sabers Forums: Concept & Reality - 3D lightsaber designs
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