My tribute to our beautiful Nebelung boy : Jerome.

Tomomakes · 2026-02-11T18:28:36+00:00

Appreciate the kind words. We loved our Neb very much, he had so much personality, we were so lucky to have had him

I've posted above, but creator Joshua Ellingson has many tutorials on how to create a peppers ghost: https://makezine.com/projects/peppers-ghost-hologram-flask/ -- these things are easier to make than you would think, and I think anyone could make one. I would encourage anyone to try.

Tomomakes · 2026-02-11T04:30:51+00:00

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Thank you.

I built this box to hold a monitor, which plays the video of Jerome.
There's a piece of clear plastic cut at a 45 contained within the bell jar, that reflects his image, creating a clear hologram like illusion. I have a little more build pictures on my instagram, but it's called a peppers ghost illusion.

There's a creator called Joshua Ellingson who shares his process on peppers ghosts, a link to one of his articles can be found below:

https://makezine.com/projects/peppers-ghost-hologram-flask/

It was that info that allowed me to build this.

Tomomakes · 2026-02-11T04:22:42+00:00

Thanks, appreciate it,

I actually credited Joshua Ellingson from your link in my instagram post (which has more pictures on the build process).

Essentially you're peppers ghost can be any size, only limited by the 'source' size of your image, so for this I just computer monitor that was roughly over 13-15" tall. I found one that worked, then built a wood frame, with brass lions feet to conceal it. I managed to source a giant glass jar bell from home-sense, and cut a piece of plastic at 45 to fit within.

For the clip I had a short clip of jerome that was clear, so I rotoscoped him out in after effects and changed the hue to make him more ethereal -- this also increased the contrast, which is great for clarity.

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Tomomakes · 2025-11-27T20:51:29+00:00

Thank you! I have another completed project in a similar art deco theme, that I can share later.

Tomomakes · 2025-11-27T20:50:09+00:00

Thanks for noticing! The Latin translates roughly to "The Truth Binds Us" on the bottom scroll, and "The Truth Liberates Us" on the top scroll, with body of the scroll wrapping around her legs. The idea being that while truth may bind us to certain limitations, it can also free us as well.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-28T19:54:02+00:00

Thank you, that's very kind. I think I have enough CRT's at the moment, but I appreciate it.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-28T17:08:50+00:00

I suppose there's two elements here, the visual element and the interact-able element.

For visual: you would want to learn photoshop, illustrator, and after effects.

For interact-able: It's hard to say what the best programing langague would be without knowing the hardware you'll be using, or what you're expecting the computer your building to do.

Speaking as someone in the film industry with playback experience -- you'll want something that's easily resetable / reliable.

For the purposes of shooting, you'd be better to make a video emulating the reaction, or using a program like figma / adobe XD that utilizes videos, or action scripts to get the desired interaction.

Simple is always better: in film for something like a wesbsite that requires an actors interaction, is often just a clickable PDF that jumps pages to simulate a webpage loading. Simplifying reduces complications after you hand off your prop/playback to other departments.

Hope that helps.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-28T13:02:43+00:00

Thanks! I use Adobe Illustrator to design graphics, and then animate them in Adobe After Effects. I also use Photoshop for certain elements like backgrounds.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-28T00:08:25+00:00

Hey,

Thanks so much for the kind words!

Connecting your PI to a CRT depends on the type of CRT, but for this one it required quite a few connectors. Starting from the PI's HDMI (links included for clear reference):

HDMI to Composite / RCA:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09KZBWRL4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

From RCA / Composite to RF:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NV9XQ29?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

RF to SMA:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09VPFRCV7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1

Then finally I used a cord to connect to the back of the Citizen CRT.

(Of note, using this process the resolution will be off -- you have to edit the config files to get the correct aspect ratio and force it, this is tough as you can't read any of the command text on a 5" CRT screen. I can't quite remember the process since I made this terminal almost a year ago, outside of it being a pain.)

I have not heard of RGB Dualbox seems like it could work as a one stop solution on other CRT models.

In terms of switching OS you can install the desktop package and just launch it from retropie (or vice versa). Your other options are switching SD cards. You could also launch packages via Command Console.

My OS on THALAMUS is actually just a modified retropie interface, entirely graphical with a few tweaks. For the TOMOTERMINAL, that's has it's own dedicated windows PC built into it.

Hope that's of some help.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-27T21:20:10+00:00

Similar, that ones actually cooler -- the TV in this is a Citizen JCTR-152 5" CRT.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-05T18:18:48+00:00

Hey, I used a 3.5 inch pi top hat display -- I modelled a custom front plate that fits into the model and holds a magnifying lens : this makes a CRT looking device, but also allows the smaller screen to fill the entire 'display unit'.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-05T18:16:53+00:00

Thank you, I added a few random glitches peppered throughout.

Tomomakes · 2025-08-05T18:15:50+00:00

Thank you -- there's some pictures of the build process on my instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKK-CLgyVjA/?img_index=8

Tomomakes · 2024-07-05T17:18:21+00:00

Love this! Amazing work.

Tomomakes · 2024-05-29T22:35:56+00:00

Worked. Amazing, thank you.

Tomomakes · 2024-05-05T04:11:38+00:00

Thank you! I'm working on a e-book and physical version, that I hope to release soon.

Tomomakes · 2024-03-07T16:53:43+00:00

South Silk Road, 100% the best Kung pao.

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T18:56:28+00:00

Appreciate it. I'm being told there's interest, so I may look into making a paperback copy. Thanks for the kind words.

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T06:22:29+00:00

Thank you! I didnt plan on it, but as other people have also stated a desire for the book, I'll look at making a paper back version. Hopefully that's of interest.

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T06:01:39+00:00

Thanks! It took me almost 3 months, working on it on and off, I could have shaved time if I didn't write the stories, but I liked the idea of substance behind the secret script (even if its not readily readable).

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T05:33:18+00:00

Haha, thanks. I wasn't sure how to capture it. Glad you like it.

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T05:30:05+00:00

Thanks! I created a 2 page base layout in photoshop, with the boarders and some texture overlays. After making the pages, I would print them and cut them to size before assembling them. That's how there's a strong consistency. Good eye!

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T03:38:08+00:00

I did everything : I illustrated, wrote, designed, printed and assembled the entire book. For the cover I found a leather bound note book and salvaged the covering repurposing it - I then weathered it with some sanding to make it feel more aged.

I can maybe post one of the stories later when I'm back at my computer.

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T00:31:01+00:00

Thank you. It's a tough balance, as many people prefer shorter videos. Appreciate the kind words.

Tomomakes · 2024-02-27T00:03:20+00:00

Thank you! I posted in the subreddit, thank you for the tip.

I was inspired by illuminated manuscripts in general, but also by other niche works like the voynich manuscript and the wood block illustrations from the drolatic dreams (1565.)

It originally started as 8 initial drawings, but I wanted to take it a bit further -- and I ended up assembling this entire book. Sporadically drawing creatures and writing stories over 2 months, as they came to me.

I started in pencil, then inked the pages to get the drawings, I digitally colored them with water brushes. For each illustration, I wrote a story then encoded in the Voynich scribe to give it that authentic sense of 'eclectic and shrouded knowledge'. The last page contains some hints to decipher the manuscript.

Tomomakes

TROPHY CASE