Alien Motion Tracker
Jordan McDonald (3D file by JMirco)
2024
Fabrication - 3D printed filament, laser etched Perspex, electronics, magnets, paint
This personal project was created as a prop for ComicCon Australia in Canberra,2024.
3d Printing
The 3D files for this project were created by Thingiverse user JMirco, derived from the model from the Alien Isolation video game by Creative Assembly.
Assembling the print was a mostly trivial affair, but alterations has to be made to allow for the electronics to fit inside the housing. The front screen housing, originally designed to be glued together, had a latch added to secure the housing to the back plate.
Painting
Painting the final assembly involved black primer coated with a military-green acrylic paint applied with an airbrush. The colour was built up in stages to ensure an even coverage over the entire, sizable object,
Metallic details were hand painted using hobby metallic paint, and heavily drybrushed over the entire print to simulate wear and tear.
Screen
The design of the screen was digitally recreated to be a very close replica of the video game model. Once the vector files were created, they were etched onto opaque, green acrylic sheets, to provide the signature Alien colour.
A transparent black acrylic sheet was then layered over to give the screen a more natural-looking off state. A magnifying sheet provided the scanline CRT effect to the screen, finishing the look.
Electronics
Housed inside the central housing, behind the screen, is a 12v battery box connected to a 12v bright white LED strip. The LED strip is wrapped around the inside, coupled with reflective foil, to provide even illumination.
The entire circuit is connected to a switch on the side to emulate the original model.
Final Outcome
This was a very personally rewarding project, bringing together both new skills (electronics, soldering) and old skills. It’s inspired me to continue exploring similar prop recreations in future.