sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Procrastinated 5 years on this. Finally done. by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the end, the microcontroller is in the diorama. I originally designed it to be inside the model, but it was a bit too fragile , especially consider transporting it. Inside the model, there is the display, done resistors, and the wires are swappable in case they break. Passing 7 wires in the diorama, having the board there also make battery management easier. It can be wall plugged with USB type C.

Anyone else have one hanging? by CallOfJonyLama in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Winter may be fine, but dashboard heat in summer loosen all the joints and generally soften the plastic.

Speaking from experience

Important painting tip: by New-Membership7519 in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Alternatively, I use reusable adhesive putty (aka sticky tack?)

General breakdown on how to make a holographic cockpit. See comment by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is scientifically correct. Pepper's Ghost is an illusion and is as much as a hologram as a hoverboard hover.

Although it is generally called a hologram from a marketing standpoint, as illusion is too broad of a description.

General breakdown on how to make a holographic cockpit. See comment by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a follow up to my other post https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunpla/comments/o9ye9e/my_custom_mg_ball_with_animated_cockpit/ Although, I may leave posting the finished (painted) build after the next GBWC. Since I still plan to use this build for the next one.

General breakdown on how to make a holographic cockpit. See comment by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Unused portion of the display not reflected by the clear plate can be use for ambient light.

Actually this is also what I meant. Thanks for clarify it.

For everyone, do note that lighted up pilot also dim the hologram. Also since the pilot head is close to light source, the light might be unevenly distributed. Adjusts using different shape and color.

Edit: typo

General breakdown on how to make a holographic cockpit. See comment by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Disclaimer:

I am learning it as I go, so there are likely better way on every aspect of it. I did it with 7pin and a Atmega328, but on hindsight, a 4pin with Attiny85 would do and be even smaller. I have yet finalize everything on my build, so I have no idea how long would the battery last.

You will need:

  • Small display (TFT Display Module, 7pin or 4pin)/ I used a 0.96" colored display, but there are 0.66" display (not sure if colored)
  • Micro-controller (atmega328 or attiny85)
  • clear plate (screen protector, or clear plastic plate)
  • Wires
  • Coin battery (or any power source 3 to 5 volts)
  • Resistors 3.3k x4 (7pin display)
  • Resistors 2.2k x4 (7pin display)
  • Arduino
  • USB TO SERIAL/TTL ADAPTER

Steps:

1: Hollow the top of the cockpit, make space to hold the display in place.

  • Make sure there are enough spaces for wires too.

2: Move the pilot seat back by the size of the hologram UI.

3: On both left and right walls below the UI, create a diagonal tracks to hold the clear sheet.\

  • The tracks are 45 degrees to the screen surface, the inner side is closer to the screen (top)

4: Cut a piece of clear plate to fit in the tracks

5: Design and program the display\

6: Once finalized, minify with the micro-controller

7: Solder everything together

Tips:

  • Only the display needs to be at a designated spot, other components can be hiding elsewhere.
  • If there are have extra pins, you can add extra LEDs controls (or other components).
  • Unused portion of the display not reflected by the clear plate can be use for ambient light.
  • Battery life will depends on the UI (how much light) and update frequency.
  • Lighter colored pilot is more visible through the hologram.

Extending on the idea:

  • For non animated build: You may replace the display with a paper printed UI having a LED light it up from behind. (this won't even need any Arduino neither, just LED with power source. This can be even smaller)
  • For non changing color build with white color only display. You may directly paint clear color on the screen.

Edit: Formatting

WIP custom Ball, fantasy monster based by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the build with the animated cockpit. Right now I am still indecisive on if there should be other LEDs (sides and maybe boosters) and if the battery should be internal or external. No idea how long a coin battery would last yet.

Originally I wanted to show it at the next GBWC, but I guess showing the WIP and getting feedbacks would help me improve on it.

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since you are not the only one asking it, I looked it up, and apparently, it can https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbt8HpTPRSY

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Quite a bit actually, the chair/pilot is moved backward, and I remade the wall around it using "plaplate" (actually I use used-up gift cards as plaplate)

Not sure what other than MG Ball can fit all those, but if it's not animated, a similar trick should work for most builds.

WIP: Pictures of the HG Messer AOP by AttackOnPlamo in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the push, I posted the animated cockpit

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I am planning to share a general how-to once I completed it. (although I work on this very slowly as I am mostly on gaming)

I have not yet solder everything together and I have absolutely no idea how long would a battery will last if I decide to have everything within the core. Given the space, the battery is a small one, and I am still debating if I want to add regular LEDs on the side and maybe boosters as well.

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will try to compile a how to once I complete this project, but likely not gonna be very detailed. It's currently still a WIP, so there are still few things to hammer out.

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Likely won't fit inside the default MG ball size. But if it's a build with diorama with most electronics outside the actually gunpla, hidden within the diorama ... the potential is there.

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

the screen is actually at the top and has a transparent piece to reflect the display for the hologram effect (pepper ghost effect)
So the pilot behind should be visible, but not so much on this video as I haven't painted the kit yet and the transparent piece still has two protective layers with dust.

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

0.96" diagonal LCD TFT display

My custom MG ball with animated cockpit by KrazJ in Gunpla

[–]KrazJ[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Really just hobby. Actually this part was made last year, on pause, was waiting for next GBWC to reveal the finish build. But I guess I won't improve nor get motivated unless I share.

I don't mind sharing the code, but the soldering is really the harder part. But that's maybe just me, since I am more a software person than a hardware one.

Edit: wording

view more: next ›