Project Paperazzi
Here we have a rare encounter with the modder of Project Paperazzi, I had a chance to speak with Acey, the creator of project Paperazzi, we disused various things this this is what he had to say:
How did you get involved with computers and at what age did it really take your interest?
I got involved with computers when I had a 486 and then a P2 for family PC but really started at about the age of 16 when I moved out for college and got my very own computer, a P4 1.6. I decided to clean the insides one day, I had to label what cable is going where at first. Got to know some technician friends when shifted course from Engineering to IT, who helped get the foundations right.
What inspired you to become interested in mods?
Approximately 5 years ago I registered with an all-in-one local forum that was more onto pre-modded casing then till I saw this acrylic pyramid mod (its huge) in the case mod section by this Kent20 guy. Did some research for other mods online, tools, and everything I saw is "Hey I didn't know you can put a PC into that" and being an art guy it kinda click with what I like to do and think of.
How did you discover TBCS and what made you keep coming back?
One local forum member created a new thread that got everyone posting the best case they've ever seen online and D3 was just completed then and when I saw that its just something you straight away open up google to see where it came from because I just learned about worklogs at that time. Sort of got linked here and there until I end up here at TBCS.
It started all this "What if I do this?" and then "How?" thinking process. Love almost everything I see as there's almost new stuffs in every worklog created. I kinda got fed up with the local case mod scene as most aren't going as extreme as what I see in TBCS which is what I really want to produce. At first I was just hooked on Crimson Sky's works till I start exploring the completed mod sections and boy, what I see and the stuff I learn here kinda make me upgrade myself and want to do better and better for each mod. So its kinda like an inspirational site for me as a modder thanks to all the modder's here.
Where did you get the idea for your Paperazzi mod?
I was working in a bank, so while waiting for the auto-dialer to call the next customer, I would be shredding paper with scissors. Then I molded a 3D paper man for a colleague and noticed the materials' quite tough. Had some sketch of random images in my mind which is what you see for the left panel of Paperazzi right now. I didn't take the idea of using paper pulp seriously till
the first day I quit the work and started shredding at home. Pulled out the sketches and wondered if I can do it with the material. Searched the net and since nobody ever used it, I thought why not be the first to use the material. Some test molds, and then it just goes on from there as the texture suits what I have in mind.
Were there any complications with project Paperazzi?
First the mod was totally uncalled for, so there wasn't any or very little plans when it kicked off. Material wise, besides accidentally stepping on some molds, none. Tool wise, that's a load of problems for me. Dremel died prior to the project (thus no cuts done), I didn't take my workbench and power drill along when I shifted (renting rooms) and being jobless is another pain in the behind.
Now at this stage, I find making the 120mm fan bracket is a tougher call than molding the whole case alone.
What construction techniques have you used?
Transfer the dried layer to the layered panel, wet it to bond and then start molding the top part by part. Every thing's done without gloves to check for thickness or over doings. For the "bones" on the front panel, rolling up a palm's width of paper pulp and then gripping it dry.
Are there any special tools you have used?
None, just very basic stationeries and tools; plastic & steel rulers, scissors, anti-cutter, gripping glue and purple poster color.
How much have you spent so far?
Breakdown: I have some spray paint from previous mod so I basically just spent on 2 cans of black and 1 can of clear, (total RM20.00), a piece of 4mm plexi 1ft sq (RM12.00), poster color (RM10), brushes & pallet (RM7.00), gripping glue (RM and the aquarium decoration's for the right panel (RM4.50).
Total: RM61.50 / approx USD19.00.
What do you have planned for the future?
I have another plan floating around in my head, but it requires cuttings, so right now I need to see if the old guy at the shop can get my Dremel fixed or time for a new one. It will be of the same material but for the theme, I'm keeping it to myself now till I get it right on paper. It has just got a name, Breaking Free, for now.
It will feature a creature, but just want to make sure paper can do the dirty work for me again for something of the planned size. So, keep guessing what creature is that ha-ha.
And that was the interview between myself and Acey.
I think he has done an excellent job on his mod and is using techniques most of us would have never considered before, if this level of high standard of work continues we could be seeing some very good work from Acey.
His use of paper is very strange to say the least but it seems to be having and excellent effect, its simple to use and mold and as such easy to fix if something goes wrong or doesn't quite look rite.
I wish Acey the best of luck with his mod and all future mods, I will be keeping a close eye on this mod and the many to come in the near future.
XcOM
