When dropping feet first into hell, one should be sporting the best armor available.
I decided it was time that I finally completed my ODST armory by adding a full ODST suit to go along with both my ODST SMGs (Halo 3 and H2A), my ODST helmet, and my M6C ODST Pistol.
I have had many inquiries on when I would finally release a full suit of armor in my intuitive, easy-to-print/easy-to-customize style of armor building. Until now, I have mainly focused my efforts on helmet/weapon commissions, but several months ago, I decided that I wanted to see if my signature modeling style would translate well to full suits.
After having finished my ODST Battle Armor, I could not be happier with how it came out.
For a full write up of all the features you can find them listed on the main product page.
This Build Guide will list the following:
Require materials to complete the project
Assembly videos to walk you through the assembly process
General printing tips
Any additional questions you have concerning the building of this rifle can be sent directly to me via the contact page on my website
Build Requirements
2-3 rolls of 1" nylon straps (these are interchangeable with the 1" elastic straps, it just depends where you want to utilize them)
Velcro, no adhesive (used in conjunction with either the nylon straps or elastic straps, depends on whether you want a physical buckle connection or velcro fastner)
Major Features
Intuitive Rigging System
Every piece of armor on this suit connects to a strap-based rigging system that ensures that you wear your armor rather than your armor wearing you. Each piece is secured in multiple places by nylon straps and buckles to ensure that every piece of armor is secure, comfortable and adjustable.
Additionally, each piece can easily be donned and doffed without external assistance.
Ergonomic, Personalized Fit
Each piece of armor was designed to have a smooth, form-fitting interior. Each piece contours to the body in a way that ensures each piece is comfortable, secure, and flexible. Additionally, each piece is designed such that it can be independently scaled in all 3 axes to ensure that the armor would fit all body types.
Lastly, many of the armor pieces feature a two part "clam shell" design that close around the extremities to ensure that the armor does not have to be oversized in order to fit things like hands and feet through.
Now lets move on to each piece of the armor individually, to take a look at all the features.
Plate Carrier Armored Torso
The Plate Carrier comes in 4 Major Pieces, the Chest Plate, the Core Pack, the Rib Plates and the Kidney Plates.
Chest Plate: Comprised of a central Breast Plate and two separately printable "Wings". This allows for printing each piece with little to no supports while having no visible seams. This also allows for easily make several custom Breast Plates to try out when building your armor.
The two side wings of the Chest Plate feature the channels through which to pass your nylon straps. This allows the Chest Plate to be easily attached to the back Kidney Plates to make a secured armored vest. Additionally this makes the Chest Plate easily attachable to an existing vest/under suit.
The Core Pack is similarly attached to the central Breast Plate by a wide central strap with internal attachment points. This allows the Core Pack to be attached to the Chest Plate while allowing for high flexibility between the Chest Plate and the Core Pack.
Check out the tutorials at the end of the item description for detailed videos on how to connect all the nylon straps to form the full Plate Carrier.
Core Pack: The Core Pack slots into the Chest Plate and utilizes internal strap attachment points to make for a flexible but gapless connection. The Core Pack features two additional channels so that the Rib Plates can be connected to the core pack with or without solid inserts depending on how rigid you want the rib plates relative to the Core pack
Rib Plate: The Rib Plate features a two part design that incorporates a plate holder and the actual Rib Armor Plate itself. Both pieces feature two channels through which to pass through straps so that the Rib Plates, Core Pack, and Kidney Plates can be secured to the body in addition to be secured to the Chest Plate.
Kidney Plate: The Kidney Plates are the last major component of the Plate Carrier Armored Torso. These armored plates feature two channels to securely attach to the Rib armor and pass through the straps meant to secure the Chest Plate to the body.
Forearms and Shoulders
The Forearms and Shoulders form their own rigging assembly that attaches securely to the arms while each side connects to the other via central cross strap that forms a yoke that prevents the entire assembly from slipping down the arms.
Forearms: The Forearms utilize a two piece "Clam Shell" design that allows the user to insert their hand through the Forearms without having to oversize the grieves as one would have to for a closed wrist. The Forearm plate then fits over the opening by gently securing to a hinge point in the wrist and securing into the upper forearm using a small flexible locking mechanism similar to what appears in the backs of TV remotes.
Both the Forearm Plate and the main Forearm body features a channel to allow for an internal strap with hidden buckle assembly to secure the Forearm to the arm.
Lastly, the Elbow Cover is printed separately to allow for a easy painting/sanding separate from the main Forearm body. Additionally this allows the Forearm to be printed more easily, with the wider portion now able to touch your printer's build plate.
The Elbow Cover also features a bar spanning the width of the internal cavity. This allows the entire forearm to be fastened to the shoulder plate above it to ensure the forearm does not slip down the arm. This is meant to work together with the internal forearm strap for maximum security.
Shoulders: The Shoulders feature a hinged two-part design that allows the shoulder to flex as the arm moves around. The bottom of the shoulder is held in place by a locking key that completes a circular cavity that allows the shoulder to freely rotate about about its hinge arm.
The Shoulder Pauldrons also feature two separate strap channels. There is a top central channel that allows the shoulder to be fastened upward onto the torso. This can either be fastened to a vest or two the other Shoulder. When done this way, the shoulders can be draped over the neck to ensure they never fall past where you want them. Additionally there is a channel that runs the length of the top portion of the shoulder. This allows the shoulder to be fastened to the arm itself. Additionally I recommend adding an additional strap in the back of this opening so that you can attach the forearm to the shoulder plates. This is a second way to ensure the forearms don't slip down the arm.
Make sure to watch the build tutorials that come with the models.
Armored Waist/Belt
The Armored Waist Assembly is comprised of a Belt, Hip Plates, Cod Plate, Tail Plate and Grenades.
Belt: The Belt utilizes a two part design, wherein the belt buckle fits inside the larger belt body. Both pieces feature channels to fit an internal strap and buckle so that the entire Waist Assembly can be attached about the hips/waist with an actual functional belt.
Additionally there are two channels running out of the bottom of the belt so that the Cod Piece can hang from the Belt Buckle.
Cod Plate: The Cod Plate is a simple one-part design that has channels so that it can be hung from Belt Buckle
Hip Plates: The Hip Plates feature a channel through which to run your belt strap so that it can hang correctly in place over the hips. Additionally there is a central opening in the channel so that the thigh armor can be fastened to the belt strap so that the thighs do not fall down the leg.
Lastly, The Hip Plates have a small "pocket", in which you can fasten all the seperately printable grenades.
Tail Plate: The Tail Plate is a simple one-part design tha has channels so that it can be hung from the Belt Strap
Grenades: The Grenades use a hollow 3 part design so that the grenades can be used as storage for things like snacks, cash, etc. The grenades hang from the hip plates by their safety levers.
Leg Armor
Thighs: The thighs are broken up into two parts to allow it to more easily fit onto hobby printers.
The top piece of the thigh features a top central channel that allows the entire thigh to be fastened to the belt above it. This would be hidden by the hip plate that it fastens to.
If one wants to also have the soft internal thigh sleeve, there is a series of internal knobs that can hold that sleeve in place.
Lastly, each thigh shell features two spots for external buckles. These buckles have a function clip that can be inserted and taken out at will. This allows for one to attach any number of holsters, pouches, etc. to the outside of the thigh shell.
The lower part of the thigh shell, should be printed first to determine how wide you should scale the thighs if necessary. I personally had to scale the thighs up in the x and y direction to allow myself to put on the lower thigh shell and still bend my leg. Once that fits, the upper thigh shell can be printed at those same scales to ensure it will fit on the leg.
Shins & Calves: The Shin/Calf armor is broken into a two part "Clam Shell" design, that allows the wearer to put on their boots first and attach the armor around the leg afterwards.
The Shin Plate sits on top of two pivot points and hinges onto the Calf armor. It is then secured with two locking keys near the knee cap and an internal strap underneath the calf.
The Shin Plate also features a separate knee base that locks the Knee Cap in place using a locking peg. This ensures that the shin and knee pad are more easily printable/paintable. Additionally, this opens up the future for customizable knee pads.
The Calf Armor sits on top of the user's boot and has an internal strap underneath the knee that holds the whole lower leg armor in place.
Boots: This Battle Armor also features an armored toe and heel plate that can be held together with elastic bands, and snapped around the boot.
The armored toe also has some side channels to allow for vertical straps through which to place your boot.
General Printing Tips:
1: The armor is scaled to someone who is 5'10" or 178cm. Before printing any of the parts, try scaling this number up or down to your height.
2: To reduce file size, only the left half of much of the armor is included. Use the mirror function of your slicing software to print the right side.
3: Some of the file names include "x#" in the name. This indicates how many times that part should be printed per side.
4: All the channels were made to accomodate 1 inch (25mm) nylon straps. You can scale down to around 80% size and still be able to accomodate this size of nylon strap.
Builds
Having my own personal ODST Battle Armor is a dream! This was truly a labor of love. It took months of prototyping each piece to ensure it comes out perfect and intuitive. Next I will be painting the entire suit to give it some much needed personality.