Give me a Fallout to build a dream on, and my imagination...

Memorught · Post by **Memorught** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:41 pm

Ok here's the meat. Im building a gaming PC from the ground up and have intentions to mod the case. The theme I am looking for is a Retrofuturistic/Fallout theme. Now I have seen some airbrush work on other machines using images and while cool, its not for me. If I get any airbrush work done it will be to weather the machine, and not to put a picture on the site. The color scheme I am going for is a Silver and Amber/Yellow feel. We have already etched on a piece of plexiglass the BOS Sword and Gears logo and are hoping to use that on the window side. I want this machine to feel like a BOS bunker....after its been dropped on The Glow for about 50 years. So things are a bit torn up, little rusty, and flash gorden-esque.

My question is what do you guys think would help me achieve this feeling for my case. I am including pics of what we have to work with, at least what I have bought. Like the Musketeer Audio controller, has a sweet vacuum tube ( *sings tube technology*) This definately helps achive that retro-futuristic feel.

The Musketeer Audio Controller
http://www.guru3d.com/article/content/279/

The PC Case, Its ATX and a Full Tower BTW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811233001

So...any suggestions? Images? Banter?

Thor Kaufman · Post by **Thor Kaufman** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:55 pm

if you want to make it fallout use a computer from the 50s
one that's not working, that is

keeps you from the internet as well

Memorught · Post by **Memorught** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:56 pm

Banter, check! Next?

Jesus Christ · Post by **Jesus Christ** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:12 pm

Inspiration

Memorught · Post by **Memorught** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:30 am

Good looking out Jesus, I can always count on you. lol

mr.Zahn · Post by **mr.Zahn** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:54 am

Get a spraycan of a nice dark brown. Give the whole case an even layer of this color, then drybrush with a very large brush and a small amount of silver/metallic paint (I'd recommend Citadel/Warhammer Boltgun Metal. Geeky but a great color) As a finishing touch you could mix some brown acryllic paint with thinner or use one of the brown inks of the Warhammer paint range, dip a brush in it so it's nice and runny, tap it on any rivets/bolts/crevices/ridges that might be on the case and make sure the inky paint drips down. That should cover your main color.

Furthermore, as Jesus (whom we all love dearly) pointed out in his nice assembly of pictures, try to find a lot of weird and useless meters, valves, cranks and whatnot and just glue the bastards on.

I'm very interested in the results of your modded case, keep us updated and good luck!

Memorught · Post by **Memorught** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:15 am

Most definately. I do have a few odds and ends from broken toys and home depot reject parts. I also have one of those siren lights in amber that im housing in a hollowed half sphere, so when it lights up it will be through cut grill marks. As some actual completion gets done Ill get some pics and upload them. Basically, Im trying to feel out ideas before I go in spray paint a-blazin. Im still torn between the brown rusted competely lookk and the weatherbeaten steel look. In keeping with a Brotherhood of Steel theme, I think the weathered steel would be more applicable.

I appreciate the tips on paint and will take them into serious consideration when painting. Should I use a primer beforehand? If so Black or White?

As for more meters, gagues, and cranks, ect. Aside from going to a junkyard, any tips as to where to find such treasures?

Appreciate the help

PsychoSniper · Post by **PsychoSniper** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:23 am

I say ditch the BOS theme compleatly.

Just go for a generic FO look, weather beaten steel ( like teh computer consoles from the FO world )

Insert thngs like that siren light+grill you mentioned to further give it a retro look, poassibly make it bigger and bulkier to further match the FO scheme.

Mayne build a box like frame to hold the tower and the moniter, build shelves and shit into it so its not just wasted space, proceed to paint it to look like worn metal with rust spots, and add lights and gizmos, so the whole thing looks like the whole think if a much larger system.

Stainless · Post by **Stainless** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:28 am

I remember a HL2 case mod looking pretty awesome, if it didn't have the logo it looked pretty nice in regards to rustic/post apoc appearance.

PsychoSniper · Post by **PsychoSniper** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:31 am

If Im thinking of the same one, it was still too greenish looking.

But yeah, it was pretty sweet.

Basicly what Im suggesting is this.

The FO Computers are big desk size objects.

So build your computer desk to hold everything with an exterior shell that you mod.

Superhaze · Post by **Superhaze** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:10 pm

I like the idea. Some general 50s stuff coming your way:

Dont know if any of this is of any use..

PsychoSniper · Post by **PsychoSniper** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:16 pm

Good pics.

I was thinking more along the lines of something like this tho.

Basicly, just build a framme and mod it to look like a FO computer (well, that one was a VB PC, but it was the first I could find, lol)

Have slots in it for the monitor and such, drawers for CDs and such so it can function as a desk.

Memorught · Post by **Memorught** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:48 pm

Hey every bit of related imagery helps. It gets me on the right mindset to come up with more ideas to possibly implement. So yeah, thanks guys for the help and keep any suggestions commin!

PsychoSniper · Post by **PsychoSniper** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:10 pm

Exactly, and we will.

Basicly, my whole idea (which Im semi tempted to do for myself) is to build a FO computer, but design it so it also is your computer desk.

Memorught · Post by **Memorught** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:19 am

I know what your sayin psysnip, and that would be bad-ass. For my first from scratch-gaming-pc, I want it a little smaller and desktopish. Not to mention im borrowing a POS pc now just to get online. Im talking like gateway 2000 barely runnin windows 98 bad. So, whereas badass look that takes some time to get perfect would be great, I may have to backseat that so I can have this thing built in a month. Time versus money and style.

If anyone has any good images of weathering metal, rust dripping spots, or walkthrough technique. I found this one and it is awsome, just checking for more.

http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/scr ... uk-Hai.htm

PsychoSniper · Post by **PsychoSniper** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:24 am

Actualy, depending on how you do it my idea might suit your quick and cheap needs.

Basicly, get a computer desk ( or use one you allready have)

use cheap fiberboard to build the 'frame'

Paint and weather the fiberboard.

put some LEDs into it

Add your PC into it, and bam you're done.

Since the FO computer has 3 small screens at the top,l maybe have the two side screens be speakers, and the moniter in the middle.

Gimp Mask · Post by **Gimp Mask** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:53 pm

That Musketeer thing looks pretty darn sweet indeed. A good looking fan controller would be a nice addition I think. And warm lights instead of some cold cathode shit

I appreciate the tips on paint and will take them into serious consideration when painting. Should I use a primer beforehand? If so Black or White?

Yeah, use primer, I guess it doesn't really matter what color, but makes kind of sense to use black if you're going to paint it dark, and white if it's going to be light. You probably should also sand the case before painting, there's tons of tutorials around. If you're going for the "weathered steel" look it shouldn't look too polished, maybe use macrogrit sanding paper?

PsychoSniper · Post by **PsychoSniper** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:00 pm

Also sand it unevenly, it'll lend texture to it.

Sand some areas smoother and deeper to make it more worn looking, and when you paint, do it with a minimum number of layers so the underlying texture will still have an effect.