Chamber Stick Model and 3D Printed Prop Case Study
Starting this project required good references.
The hardest part was learning the proper search term "Chamber Stick." Believe it or not after a solid 20 minutes of searching and going through terms like "sconce," "chandelier," and "candelabra." I found the term by googling, "That thing that Ebenezer Scrooge walks around with that holds a candle."
The hardest part was learning the proper search term "Chamber Stick." Believe it or not after a solid 20 minutes of searching and going through terms like "sconce," "chandelier," and "candelabra." I found the term by googling, "That thing that Ebenezer Scrooge walks around with that holds a candle."
After collecting a solid base of reference and inspiration it was time to start sculpting.
Sculpting goes by pretty fast for me, and I'm pleased with the part bird, part reptile look.
A strong conceptual point was getting the wax drippings to pool and drip down the creatures mouth in a certain way. This was solved by creating channels that still mimicked the folds around the creatures mouth seen in vultures or a subtympanic shield found in reptiles.
Now it was time for a test print.
A strong conceptual point was getting the wax drippings to pool and drip down the creatures mouth in a certain way. This was solved by creating channels that still mimicked the folds around the creatures mouth seen in vultures or a subtympanic shield found in reptiles.
Now it was time for a test print.
Test print came out great. The material used was a high reflective gold PLA.
There was no issue with how the print came out structurally, but an issue with the build overall as it looked too clean and new for the aesthetic envisioned, it needed weathering and texture.
There was no issue with how the print came out structurally, but an issue with the build overall as it looked too clean and new for the aesthetic envisioned, it needed weathering and texture.
After a few ink washes there was a nice patina texture going on giving it the cryptic look desired. After adding the bleeding candle and tested it out, it looked great.
This model print out would work as is for a stand alone, but I really wanted the full 'Elden Ring' tarnished chamber stick look. I started work on the full chamber stick with plate and handle.
This model print out would work as is for a stand alone, but I really wanted the full 'Elden Ring' tarnished chamber stick look. I started work on the full chamber stick with plate and handle.
Production of the plate went by fairly fast by using some array modifiers. The handle sculpt was a bit more challenging, but I wanted the look to be less clean and simple like the chamber stick references and have a focus on creating a matching style with the ornaments of the plate and the creature.
When all was combined, booleaned, decimated and made manifold it was ready for print.
When all was combined, booleaned, decimated and made manifold it was ready for print.
The final product came out great and is so cool to have around the house. I've even gotten the opportunity to use it when power has gone out during a storm. It was awesome and made me wish I lived in a castle or dungeon.
As the .stl for a 3D printable prop is completed there were still areas that needed work. Some plate details and handle details were not as optimized for print as they could be and the mesh geometry is too dense especially if this were to ever be used as a 3D asset within a game or movie production. This led me to start work on the 2nd version.
As the .stl for a 3D printable prop is completed there were still areas that needed work. Some plate details and handle details were not as optimized for print as they could be and the mesh geometry is too dense especially if this were to ever be used as a 3D asset within a game or movie production. This led me to start work on the 2nd version.
This latest version has a much cleaner topology base to build from or bake the higher res mesh onto. Much better optimized for 3D printing to show all the smaller details within the plate. More exaggeration on ornamental details and styling.
I really like the way this prop turned out and will keep refining it and creating variations.
I really like the way this prop turned out and will keep refining it and creating variations.