Design of the Week Star Wars Death Trooper

By on April 17th, 2017 in Design

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 The very cool 3D printed Star Wars Death Trooper
The very cool 3D printed Star Wars Death Trooper

This week’s selection is the popular Star Wars Death Trooper by Sydney-based designer Paul Braddock. 

This design swept through the 3D print world in recent weeks, with 3D print operators worldwide producing a great many prints from this now-famous 3D model. 

Braddock’s original design was a much smaller version intended as a pendant, with attachment hook at the top. However, the design was so cool that some took it upon themselves to slice off the hook and print a larger version. However, Braddock eventually produced a “clean” version without the hook. 

 Braddock's original design involved a hook at the top of the design
Braddock’s original design involved a hook at the top of the design

This video by prop maker Clayton Parker, a.k.a. Uncle Jessy shows an example of the print: 

What I find most interesting about this design is the massive amount of buzz it generated in such a short time period. I’ve seen countless images of folks printing this object, some in plastic, some in bronze and other materials. They’re all very cool. 

 Clayton Parker's print of Paul Braddock's Star Wars Death Trooper
Clayton Parker’s print of Paul Braddock’s Star Wars Death Trooper

The most curious aspect of this object is that it is simply a combination of two of the most common 3D models found in the world of 3D printing: a skull and a Star Wars helmet. 

Both of those items have been available online for many years, and there’s likely few hobby desktop 3D printer owners that haven’t printed each of these items previously.

But something magic has happened when the two were combined. The sum was far more than the parts themselves. 

I think it’s because the juxtaposition of the two common objects began a kind of story, or beginning of a story: what happened to the dead trooper? Why is the helmet damaged? Who did this to the trooper? 

Author William Gibson once said that anything “cool” must have a mystery inside it. This object most definitely poses a mystery.

And that’s why it’s cool. 

Via Pinshape and Paul Braddock

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!