Krakua’s Suletu is my remix of Galva’s Suletu.
The version without holes is can alternatively be used as a Hau Nuva.
While this version of Krakua uses illegal colours, it’s possible to make a perfectly legal version with minimal tweaks. Let me know if you’d like the legal version.
I love it.
I love both <3
Ohh, I never thought about adding yellow to Krakua, but it somehow works.
T’was always in the eyes.
True, but most characters have colours that are only present in their eyes.
I’ll say that having just gotten a bachelor’s degree in design field, now that I don’t have to justify and overthink my design choices, I’m going by pure instinct.
So yeah, I can’t give you a conscious reason because I’ve stopped making conscious decisions and started going by pure instinct since I received my bachelors.
I think Nietzsche said something about using instincts, but I’m not too into Nietzsche.
Unfortunately, that also means I’m unfocused, cause instead of working on my Hau or Akaku, I’m doing a Bomonga-inspired toa mangai of ice, and I need to make a mask of conjuring to go along with it, which I can imagine in my head (just think the translucency of the original Kaukau, with the silhouette of Kelly’s helmet from Halo 5, with the local shapes of the mask of conjuring, but with the peripheral shapes raised outwards).
It’s always easy to imagine, hard to execute. At this point in time,I’ve got twice as many Kanohi designs floating in my head than published on my thingiverse.
If only I can make 3D designs of my Kanohi. This looks great 
Sure you can do it. Just remember that you design with your mind, not your software/ tool (though you do need a tool to flesh out your design, same thing as writing/typing an essay, it doesn’t matter if you write on paper, or typewriter or keyboard, only that you write sentences).
I’ld say start simple. Kitbashing/remixing seems quite a popular way to get started, but - 1. Don’t be lazy with it, 2. It’s a good launch pad, but you have to eventually graduate to doing something more original.
For me, I’m starting with adapting designs, first simplifying (see my work on GWP), then complexifying/ reimagining. While I do hope to eventually make my own characters, that’s a lifetime goal for me, I don’t need to accomplish it in the next 2 years.
Also, nobody is original. Creativity isn’t pulled from the aether, it’s a darwinian process of copying and iterating and mutating and transforming. So don’t be afraid to draw ideas from other people, as long as you put your own twist on it. Sure, only the most creative people can mutate ideas on a deep level, but if you can’t, it’s fine, all you need to do is to draw ideas from many different sources (if John Williams can do that for the music of Star Wars, so can you).
Notice how I never mentioned any digital tools. Sure, a CAD software is good for very geometric shapes, and most mask makers use CAD softwares (I don’t, despite having experience in CADing). You can always do a physical kitbash, like the original bionicle designers. And if you’re afraid to destroy masks in the name of creativity, you can do a digital kitbash, or even 3D print it out and then kitbash it from there. Or maybe be the first person to design masks with clay! Anyways, photogrammetry is free and readily available today.
Also, specifically for designing in 3D, start in 2D. Think along the lines of section cuts, especially with the silhouette of the shapes from different angles. Break things down to simple shapes, then stitch them together, and explore the relation between the various shapes (that’s where your proportion comes in).
Just remember, you can be competent in anything, given you put in the time and effort. You can do it! Maybe not on your first attempt (but don’t delete that first attempt), but you’ll on your 10th attempt, and you’ll master it on your 40th!
Also, WJ Beck as kindly ported all my designs to stud.io
Ports - Google Drive
That’s creative to interpret the ribbed sword as “sound waves”. Are those rings actual pieces in the model, or are they edited in afterwards? If they’re actual parts, what parts are they?
It’s a rendered element in Blender.
Just a torus with an array modifier. As for materials, it’s a mix of emissive and transparent shader, with a fresnel plugged into the factor.
Oh, and yes, it’s intended precisely as sound waves. There’s a reason why I used Tahu Mata’s sword, then deleted the fire.
