I recently had the opportunity working with AH Studios and Rocket Props to re-create a 16th century Samurai suit for the Ivy Asia at St Paul's in London. The suit was a double-scale copy of the original armour; which when assembled stood approximately three meters in height. Each section and individual piece I worked on was measured and modelled in 3D space using Blender CAD software and 3D printed using the Anycubic Photon-S Resin printer and the Creality CR10S.
I used the open source CAD software Blender to create the models as it offers alot of freedom when designing organic forms. By simulating each piece in relation to each other in the 3D environment, I was able to ensure an approximate fit after the models were 3D printed on the Anycubic Photon-S.
Some of the 3D prints were painted and finished off by the talented team at Rocket Props.
All the parts were sliced in Chitubox and printed in 3d Filaprint's standard grey resin. This was my first time using an SLA printer and after some trial and error, I would say I'm pretty pleased with the amount of detail captured from the 3D model. Each piece was primed and painted before some final weathering being added to make the brass pieces look aged.
The collar was printed on the Creality CR-10S FDM printer due its size; seeing as the filament is a thermoplastic, we were able to bend and manipulate the material creating the curved forms.
Pretty much everything was designed and 3D printed with exception to the fabrics, helmet, shoulder straps, some final details and basic traditional mold making techniques, a few screws and bolts, and a lick of paint. I can't remember the total printing time for this project, but It was the best part of a month.
After many late nights the final samurai armour came out looking great and pretty spot on to the original. If you're ever in London, stop by the Ivy Asia at St Paul's and check it out for yourself.
Thanks to the team at AH Studios and Rocket Props, the fabrics and paint job really tied everything together into a beautiful work of art.
Thank you for taking the time to look through my work. Any questions give me a shout.
I'm always keen to work with other designers out there and collaborate on further projects. Please take a moment to share my project and do Get In Touch.
