descentchampions.org

Drakona mentioned that there would eventually be a ladder tournament, and that she'd considered getting a trophy made for it.

I've taken that on as a bit of a project. I found this model of a Descent Pyro:
http://www.3dcadbrowser.com/download.aspx?3dmodel=1719

And tried printing out a mini version on my 3D printer, as a test:






You can see in the last image that the gun barrels had trouble coming out, and also in the pics above it that the middle gun tips are not present on the printed model (one didn't come out, and one I accidentally broke off ;)).

Here is my latest print from today, a version big enough to be a trophy:



However, in addition to the gun barrels having issues, one back wing did not come out. I'm going to try it again tomorrow, this time in an orientation that favors the back wings coming out, and I will manually add the gun barrels (either with clear rod, or cylinders that I print separately, and glue the tips on to).

I've also ordered a little LED light base that I think this would look really cool when set on. Personally, I'd like for this to be a rotating trophy that has a plaque that names get added onto, rather than having to re-make it any time we have a tournament (as that would be expensive and time-consuming!). Of course, that would rely on the winner being willing to send it to the next winner ;). Regardless... just thought I'd share my progress :)

Oh my gosh, that is the coolest!

Beautiful!

I like the idea of having a rotating trophy (like a 6" pyro), and then maybe smaller tokens (2" pyro?) that each winner gets to keep.

Yeah that is a nice compromise :). Good idea!

that's SWEET!!!

Oh, are you going to print it with the winner's name etched on the side of the pyro?

That is a great question, here is my plan for names:

For the "Stanley Cup" big trophy that gets passed around, I am thinking to have rings below it with names. The top ring might be "DCL Founders" and have Drakona, Lothar, and Jediluke.
Then several other rings to add names onto as events are held.

Of course, this means the previous tourney winner has to send the trophy back to me for me to add the next winner's name. Alternatively, I could simply do one name per ring, and the winner could mail the trophy directly to the next winner, and if I make it such that the rings are easily added, the new winner simply puts on their ring that I mail them. Thoughts appreciated here on which method might be better!

For the smaller "keeper" pyros, I think they would work best hung rather than on a stand. So, I am thinking to put a small hook on them, and have the winner's name on a piece that hangs above them.

The problem with putting the name actually on the pyro is that this is not a file I can easily modify. I can very easily make a new file to put a winner's name on a separate piece (which I can either lasercut, 3d print, or simply stencil on to a blank piece, which is what I'm leaning towards atm). So, I think a separate piece with the names on it will be the way to go.

The light base should come in early this coming week, and then I'll be able to see how the rings might look beneath the pyro trophy :)

Okay, I'll see how the big one comes out when I get home today.

As for the little ones, I had been thinking of just a little hanging clear rectangle with their name and the appropriate info (gold/silver/bronze tourney, date, etc), hanging above the pyro. Like this:



So, basically there could be a hook, with the rectangle hanging from that, with the pyro hanging from that. That was what I was thinking, as the small pyro really feels like an ornament and something I'd feel safer hanging than mounting to something else. Then you can put it on your Christmas tree ;)

The bigger trophy would be on a base (a lighted base). You're right about shipping concerns- I guess we could just cross that bridge when we get there. Maybe it will end up sitting on Jedi's desk forever :D

I'm sure I'll be sharing the trophy with multiple pilots (IF I ever get to have it at all)

RiTides, this is just awesome!!

I really enjoyed the idea.