Building Cosplay Jets from Apex Legends Using 3D Printing

It's always fun to go to conventions in cosplay, but it is even more fun to make parts to cosplay yourself! Because of this, I wanted to make my own jump jets from Apex Legends for my Mirage cosplay.

Step 1: Get Some Reference Pictures

The best reference pictures to have are usually:

• Front view
• Side view
• Top view
• Bottom view

It’s best to make sure your reference pictures have something close to them to use for scale, whether it’s the character using them or something near them.

Step 2: Plan Your Cosplay Jets

It’s always important to plan ahead with your cosplay props. Think about what features you'd like to have and where you can leave room for improvement. Examine your reference pictures to see what parts you’ll need to create, filament you need to use, and paint colors you will need. If you are designing your jets yourself, use your reference pictures to get an understanding of how large you’ll design needs to be.

For example, this is what I planned for my jets:

• Features
• LED lighting
• Smoke
• Moving outer jets
• Printing Materials
• Translucent PETG
• Black PETG
• Paints
• Glossy Black
• Metallic Aluminum
• Gunmetal Gray

This is also a good time to draw any necessary electronics plans if you choose to add any special effects. First off, only use electronics that you are confident in. If you don’t know how to use the electronics you want to use, make sure to study how to use them correctly and safely. For most cases, there are tutorials on youtube or other websites that can help you learn! It’s always good to start with a decent diagram to help you understand your plan while you are working. While electronics are fun to add, it’s not needed.

Step 3: Find or Create Your Print Files

Getting your STL files for printing can be difficult, but it’s better to take your time and to use files that fit your needs best. It can be hard to make your own files without years of experience, but luckily there are many websites you can find files from or even have them designed for you. Look for files that look accurate and have room for any effects you’d like to add; however, you should keep in mind that if your printer is not well-tuned it may have issues with more complex designs. Make sure if you plan to add any electronics that you have room for them and their wiring.

Step 4: Print Your Parts

Next, it's time to finally print your parts. When slicing your parts, you’ll need to think about which parts may be load-bearing. Any 3D printed parts that attach your jets to your body or may bump into things often will likely require thicker walls, a higher infill percentage, and better layer adhesion to increase their strength. I like to print about 1.6 mm thick walls, 30% Gyroid infill, and print 10-20% slower for parts that need some extra durability. Layer height may need to be considered as well, as layer height will allow you to get more detail out of more intricate parts and also help mitigate how much sanding you will need for a smooth finish.

As your parts print, it’s good to test fit any parts and/or electronics you may be adding so you can adjust prints as required

Step 5: Prep Your Parts

If you’d like to make your project look a little more realistic, it’s a good idea to fill, sand, and paint your props. A coat of Acrylic modeling paste is a great way to fill in layer lines and other gaps. Try to avoid detailed spots when applying modeling paste, as you will lose detail on complex parts. Once dry, I like to start by using 220 grit sandpaper to sand the dried modeling paste until it’s smooth.

If any large gaps or pockets remain, repeat the previous step as needed; otherwise, start the next step by spray painting 3 or 4 coats of sandable filler primer onto your prop. This will fill smaller gaps better than the modeling paste. Once dry, wet sand your parts using 400 grit sandpaper. If any layer lines or other imperfections remain, repaint with filler primer and wetsand as needed. Generally, the more time you spend on this step, the better your prop will turn out.

Step 6: Paint

It’s time to make your jets look real! Keep in mind that your jets may get bumped into or scratched when worn, so it's good to start with a couple coats of metallic silver for the base coat. Using silver as your base coat can lead to some great weathering over time, as the outer coats may get worn down where they rub or bump into things often. After your silver paint is dry, you can add any other paint you need onto your parts. If anything needs to be masked off, I highly recommend using green or yellow Frog Tape to avoid peeling your previous coat. It’s time to make your jets look real! Keep in mind that your jets may get bumped into or scratched when worn, so it's good to start with a couple coats of metallic silver for the base coat. Using silver as your base coat can lead to some great weathering over time, as the outer coats may get worn down where they rub or bump into things often. After your silver paint is dry, you can add any other paint you need onto your parts. If anything needs to be masked off, I highly recommend using green or yellow Frog Tape to avoid peeling your previous coat.

Step 7: Assembly

Now that we have that out of the way, we can start assembling and installing any electronics. It is usually best to start by assembling any larger framework or base pieces and working your way to smaller detail parts. If installing any electronics, keep your wire leads longer than necessary until you are ready to finalize the system. Test constantly and consistently between every change to the electronics board to ensure you don’t have to undo too much work if something does not work properly. It may take a lot of time and effort, but the work will pay off when your jets are finally assembled!

In conclusion, the process of building cosplay jets using 3D printing can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience for enthusiasts. By following these seven steps, from gathering reference images to final assembly, you can create a realistic and impressive prop for your cosplay costume. Incorporating advanced features such as LED lighting, smoke, or moving parts can elevate your creation to the next level. Remember that careful planning, attention to detail, and persistence in refining and perfecting each step will lead to a high-quality final product. With the help of 3D printing technology, the possibilities are endless for creating unique and memorable cosplay experiences that will leave a lasting impression at conventions and gatherings.