Kylo Ren Progress

[kierwest]

Kylo Ren Build Log
    
Before Star Wars: the Force Awakens came out, I knew I wanted to do a new build with a Star Wars theme behind it.  I had ton a lot of snooping around the internet to find clues t the plot, and found some interesting details concerning Kylo Ren.  Knowing that he would be very similar to Star Wars canon, Jacen Solo, I was ready to start my build in Late December.   
   
Forewarning, I am not a strong documentation-type person.  You may be upset by my lack of photos detailing every piece.  My sith-like apathy will not dry your tears.  This is just a brief overview, because I promised a finished build by now.... Too many delays.  
    
Part 1:
    

   
Tear down and taping, the usual processes with starting a build.  I stripped it down to what I could.  Everything non essential was just left alone.  Taping up the door because it is made entirely of plastic.  Easier to paint over than the case.  Since the case is metal, I am sanding the old paint down.  Used  a dremel to sand odd angles. 

 

I always do the side panel first.  It is the least seen piece, and gives me time to work the rust off.  Painting isn't a breeze, and mistakes can happen in an instant.    

 

Recruiting a friend to help me do the custom acrylic.  I gave him extremely detailed measurements, and he drew up designs in an instant.  Working with him has been great. 

 

Part 2:    
Basically, I bought every part, and it all sat in a boxes.  I was stonewalled with issue after issue.  Originally, I had invisible, light-reflective paint.  This was supposed to be a secret weapon.  I wanted the paint to say "I feel it again, the call from light."   With the NZXT Hue+, I was going to be able to use a changing LED's that could reveal the text on the acrylic window.  However, the can I bought would not work with the acrylic, and needed the paint only available in Germany... I felt like I was shot, because that was my homerun idea.  I still want that paint, but it is unavailable in the US.  
   
NEED HELP!
I still don't have an idea on how to make up for that idea. Basically, this side needs to represent the duality of Kylo Ren's emotions. He was raised a Jedi. However, he was brainwashed to betray the Jedi, and joined the Sith. The front needs to be something eye-catching, and it should display an image, in contrast to the side panel.   Now, portraying this could go multiple directions but I have an idea. The front place is roughly 12in tall x 7.5in wide. I am going to use 2 layers of acrylic. The top layer will be the cut out layer. The second layer will be using a combination of red and blue acrylic. It will be lit up using white LED strips behind the second layer. The design needs to keep in mind that models with be monochromatic (shadow models). What I want, is something to represent this fight scene between Kylo Ren vs Rey.  I have no photoshop skills, and had hired 2 people to try.  Both were not very artisitc, and couldn't do it.  Anyone artistic that I can pay to create something for the front?  

 

We ran into some problems with stability and light diffusion.  This guy, let me tell you... he was brilliant enough to create a reflective piece to help evenly distribute light.  

 

I literally designing the door off his mask.  No pre-drawn plans, just going to wing it.  If I can draw it with ease, I think I can tape it up correctly based on a photo.     

 

 

I literally designing the door off his mask.  No pre-drawn plans, just going to wing it.  If I can draw it with ease, I think I can tape it up correctly based on a photo.  

 

    
Cable management is going to get much worse.

 

 

It started off strong, but all the cables became too much.  I just gave up with zoning, and starting making chaos. 

 

 

 

Can't see it but there is a large underglow from the cold cathode

 

Installed the NZXT Hue plus.  Decided to added extensions.  They were shorter than I expected and it caused some issues.  The video card is heavy and causes EXTENSIVE sag.  It may be due to a less than sturdy pci e port... Made an executive decision to tie the pci extensions to the cooler. I really wanted to do a custom loop with hard tubing, and place the pump on top of the shroud.  However, money is a problem.  

 

If you have any suggestions, post a comment.  I will try to update in the future. If you can help, contact me immediately.  

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

Cable management needs to be cleaned up BIG time it's like my only pet peeve. Other than that this system looks great

[ALwin]

So this computer is going to be just as emo/whiny as its namesake?

[kierwest]

Just now, Jacktastic-Mofo said:

Cable management needs to be cleaned up BIG time it's like my only pet peeve. Other than that this system looks great

I actually plan on doing that once I get better extensions or more... Cable length was a major issue

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

1 minute ago, kierwest said:

I actually plan on doing that once I get better extensions or more... Cable length was a major issue

I'm talking about what's on the bottom, all that stuff can be pretty much shoved behind the drive cages or motherboard tray.

Example, my PC:

[kierwest]

2 minutes ago, ALwin said:

So this computer is going to be just as emo/whiny as its namesake?

Looking past the circlejerk hate for Kylo Ren, he tells a story like many fallen jedi from Star Wars canon, although he is much young than many of the others.  I like him, because his character has depth.  It isn't as simple as "emo-like hate of his family".

[kierwest]

2 minutes ago, Jacktastic-Mofo said:

I'm talking about what's on the bottom, all that stuff can be pretty much shoved behind the drive cages or motherboard tray.

Example, my PC:

Hidden Content

 

It could be shoved back there, but I really don't want to add more to there.  Considering that there will a PSU SHROUD covering that whole space, I see no positives from shoving it in an already crowded space.  

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

Oh, you're building a PSU shroud- then disregard what I said

[kierwest]

6 minutes ago, Jacktastic-Mofo said:

Oh, you're building a PSU shroud- then disregard what I said

Did you not see the whole album?