Here are a couple of pics that show the new space suit I'm working on for P6 James. It's still in the early stages with a lot of detail work still to go. I'm also looking for some one that's familiar with UVMaping, textureing and MAT poseing that might be interested in colaborating. I've done some very basic UVMapping but I'm not a expert and I'm sure there is a lot of room for improvement. If your interested drop me a line. Other comments, etc. are truely welcome. mike

Here's another pic showing the boots, which work well, and the gloves which still need some tweaking. mike

I'm going to suggest that it not be quite so snug and that it have wrinkles at elbows and knees. There needs to be some air pressure inside to counteract the vacuum of space (IIRC, normal earth atmosphere is 7 pounds/square inch). If he is wearing a helmet, he is either in vacuum or an unbreathable atmosphere, which might have a different air pressure than ours. I'm also going to suggest that it have patch pockets on the upper arms and thighs. If not there, than a tool belt with lots of pockets. Pockets are too necessary for small tools, pen&notepad (PDA), calculator, camera, whatever. You are outside replacing a solar panel... you unbolt the behemoth... where do you put the bolt? You can't just set it down! There's enough nuts adrift in space, and that can be deadly to the next ship to enter the region. You might consider communications... does he have an antennae? Inside the rim of the helmet, perhaps speaker or sipping straw? Meanwhile, I'm glad to see a non-military space explorer-type suit... and want them for the whole family and the cat. :) Carolly

strongly reminds me of some of the covers for old heinlien "juve" books.

thou and I, my friend, can, in the most flunkey world, make, each of us, one non-flunkey, one hero, if we like: that will be two heroes to begin with. (Carlyle)

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it were for M3 or David...

Like I said there's still a ton of detail work to do. Pockets and patches, tools, a larger MMU> Also I want to branch it to other characters, but wanted to start with the P6 crew first. Wrinkles are something I've been thinking about, I was kicking around using a displacement channel but I'll probably model them in. ynsaen, I've been an RHH fan since I WAS a juve! Paid for his autograph with the first gallon of blood donated to the Red Cross and I'm still giving it to them. You have no idea what a comliment I concider that!

Attached Link: The Atomic Rockets space-tech reference site.

All the real spacesuits out there have some sort of multi-layer outer cover over the pressure bladder, not quite smooth. Think of how a sheet of cooking foil wrinkles, not quite smooth. And it hides the awkward detail of the constant volume joints. One possibility: make the helmet a seperate prop, and it could be changed to alter the whole look of the suit. One of those caps like the Apollo astronauts used would be a good option for radio gear -- prop or even hair would work. Be careful about positioning round hose couplings, I've seen them distorted by posing.

Antonia, The helmet AND the helmet collar are seperate smart props, so the entire look of the helmet can be change to suit. I like the idea about the cap and will add it to my list. Wrinkles are in the works ( quite a bit of detail work to go to try and get the right look.) I'l post a update as soon as I'm happy with it. mike