From the Editor's Desk
Tips and tidbits from readers like you.Page 06
Make: Volume 94 — Fantastic Realms
Film and television create amazing worlds, but sometimes you want a piece of those worlds you can hold in your hands. In this issue of Make: we show how to create your own tangible props and models from movies, TV, and your own imagination. Join pro model maker and Tested alum Kayte Sabicer as she re-creates an epic replica of the Off-World Blimp from Blade Runner. Go behind the scenes (and back in time) to see how The Wizard of Oz used miniatures and practical effects to create the stunning tornado scene that still holds up today! Star Wars was instrumental in putting fan builds on the map, and we check in with the bevy of droid builders who re-create everything from classic R2-D2 to Disney’s adorable new “duckling droids” from the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park. Or maybe you want smaller-scale models to go with your tabletop war games? Learn how to paint, weather, and “trashbash” everyday junk into new mini terrain, buildings, and vehicles to create your own worlds.
On the Cover: Model maker Kayte Sabicer and her Blade Runner blimp want YOU to join the off-world colonies! Photos: Mark Madeo (blimp), Camdan Mead (light show)
Table of Contents
Columns
Welcome: World Building
Keith Hammond
Fantasy and sci-fi props and models are the imagination made real.Page 07
Made on Earth
Lightweaver
Marshall Piros
Todd Moyer's psychodelic Illoominated II creates a laser light show.Page 08
Rap Caviar
David J. Groom
A classic rap track meets a classic rap video game in this artistic mash-up.Page 10
Waterlight Grafitti
Jennifer Strand
Water activates this wall of hypnotic LEDs. No clean up required!Page 11
Features
Airspace Audacity
Jordi Muñoz
ArduPilot creator Jordi Muñoz looks back at inventing the free, DIY autopilot that shocked the world.Page 12
The Game Is Afoot!
Kevin Toyama
Inside the handmade, high-tech puzzle rooms of Game On in Berkeley, California.Page 16
PCBs Without Soldering
Huaishu Peng, Zeyu Yan, Jiasheng Li, Zining Zhang, and Advait Vartak
Reduce prototyping waste with this one weird trick!Page 18
Timeline: 20 Years of Make:
It’s been two decades of making, fixing, remixing, and creating all kinds of wonderful projects.Page 20
Workshop
Animatronic Atelier
Daniel Springwald
Find the Furby, grok a Grogu, and explore the equipment in Daniel Springwald’s idyllic workshop.Page 22
The Ultimate Engineering Makerspace
Ed Ivory
The Electronics Prototyping Lab at Portland State University runs on community, cutting-edge tools, and copious coffee.Page 24
Props and Model
A Movie Model Masterpiece
Kayte Sabicer, with Mel Ho
Tested’s Kayte Sabicer replicates an iconic prop from Blade Runner with a garage kit, vintage greeblies, and 21st-century electronics.Page 28
Trashcan Kingdoms
Gareth Branwyn
Craft miniature worlds from kitchen castoffs.Page 38
Modeling and Painting Power Tips
Gareth Branwyn
Budget-savvy, pro-level techniques for hobbyists.Page 43
Networked Light-Up Costumes
Kate Hartman
Build robust, network-controlled light-up wearables for group costumes and performances.Page 46
Do the Robot
Thomas James
Bust a move in your very own customizable, articulated cardboard robot costume.Page 54
DIY Virtual “Volume”
Sean Parker
Use small-scale virtual production to maximize your cinematic potential.Page 56
The Wind Began to Switch
Jesse Velez
How filmmakers pulled off The Wizard of Oz tornado scene that still rocks today.Page 60
Imperial Probe Droid
Jose Velazquez
Building the world’s first real-life Viper probe droid from Solo, A Star Wars Story.Page 64
Galaxy of Droidsmiths
James Graeber
Scoot over, R2. Welcome to the expanded universe of Star Wars droid builders.Page 68
Projects
Personal Light Show
Camdan Mead
Teensy + xLights = an LED performance in your room!Page 78
Rocket Ride
Rick Schertle and Keith Violette
The air rocket evolution continues! 3D print and launch your own custom compressed air rockets.Page 84
Squishy Tech: Sine Me Up!
Lee Wilkins
Sine waves are found in sound, graphics, and art. Use them to animate full-color LEDs.Page 88
Cuckoo Clock 2.0
Thomas Garaio
Oxocard enhances a timekeeping tradition with new technology — and Makey robot!Page 96
Electronics Fun and Fundamentals: Bar Graphs and Bicolor LEDs
Charles Platt
An idiosyncratic adventure in voltage dividers.Page 102
Toy Inventor’s Notebook: Axolotl Squirt Bottle
Bob Knetzger
Make a custom bottle cap for the cutest water toy.Page 108
1+2+3: Hanging Book Frame
Sam Freeman
Ditch the coffee table and show off your favorite books with this simple adjustable frame.Page 112
Skill Builder
Print Smart, Breathe Easy
Dr. Danielle Baguley
3D printing safety tips for your home or makerspace.Page 114
Know Your Hacker Multitools
David J. Groom
These versatile and easy-to-use tools let you explore the electronic world around us.Page 118
Toolbox
Bambu H2D vs. Prusa Core One
Matt Stultz
Page 122
Petoi Programmable Robot Pets
Sam Freeman
Page 124
LokLik Cutting Machine 2
Sam Freeman
Page 126
Beautiful Pixelblaze Display Box Kit
Sam Freeman
Page 126
Over the Top
Air Craft
Craig Couden
Turning weapons of war into works of art.Page 128
