May 12, 2017 | By Benedict
Adafruit’s Ruiz Brothers have made an incredible 3D printed version of the Guardian Sword from Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The prop is made from PLA and uses over 90 NeoPixel LEDs.
Great games never die. That’s the only reasonable explanation as to why the Zelda franchise, almost 30 years into its existence, continues to dominate our screens—and thumbs.
If you hadn’t heard, the video game series got a new title this year: Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It’s a sprawling open-world epic, and has single-handedly kept the otherwise hit-and-miss Nintendo Switch console on its feet. (You can grab some 3D printed accessories for the Switch if you own one.)
The new game has received universal acclaim, and has introduced new characters, locations, and objects to the Legend of Zelda universe.
Although there is a wealth of visual stimuli within the game, one new item that seems to have caught people’s attention is the glowing blue Guardian Sword, a weapon used by Guardian Scouts that you—playing as main character Link—can obtain after defeating one of these Scouts.
But thanks to the 3D printing experts at Adafruit, you can now also obtain one in real life—without having to defeat anyone except your 3D printing limitations.
The legendary Ruiz Brothers have put together a tutorial showing you how to create a super-detailed, 3D printed, 34-inch version of the weapon, complete with over 90 NeoPixel LEDs for that glowing, energy sword look.
“This thing is super bright and looks so awesome,” the brothers say, and it’s hard to disagree.
Although there’s lots of DIY fun to be had in this project—circuitry, coding, assembly—3D printing is clearly the best part. Especially if you use the kind of filament recommended by the Adafruit gurus.
To get the blade looking like it should, the Ruiz Brothers used translucent PLA, which the LED lights can shine through. The blade, printed in this translucent PLA, is separated into six parts, with the handle (black PLA) split into two.
Because of the sheer size of the sword, the brothers used a large build volume Type A Machines Series 1 Pro 3D printer, though any relatively large printer could take that machine’s place. The weapon was designed in Autodesk Fusion 360, and the brothers have shared these design files as well as the STL, in case you feel like making any edits.
Other parts you’ll need include a 5V Adafruit Trinket, a 2 Meter Adafruit skinny mini NeoPixel Strip, a Lipo Backpack, a 2200mAh 3.7v Cylindrical Lithium Ion Polymer Battery, and Slide Switch.
Finally, if you’re having doubts about whether you really need a physical version of the ultra-cool Guardian Sword, this final word from the brothers should see you right: “[The sword] has a decent attack rating of 40 points, but like most weapons in the game it won’t last long. So this one will last longer than the one in the game.”
Check out the project here.
Posted in Fun with 3D Printing
Maybe you also like:
- T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
- New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
- New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
- mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
- Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
- Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
- Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
- Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
- Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
- Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
- Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
- A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter
ill take it
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
