Datacron and Obelisk

The main prop in the Star Wars fan film is the datacron that rests upon an obelisk.

These are the original schematics for the datacron and the obelisk.

Google SketchUp schematics with Aurebesh font words on the sides. "Vengeance" and "Hatred."

 "Passion" and "Terror."

 Close up of the datacron atop the obelisk.

 The datacron is removable.

Datacron Build:

Originally, each side of the datacron was going to have these inscriptions laser cut. But, time and budget constraints required us to go to a simpler design. In the end, these elaborate design would never have been seen on film.

The second inscription.

The third inscription.

The fourth inscription.

The four side and the base components for the datacron.

Test fitting the datacron parts.

More test fitting.

Final design for the sides of the datacron.

Four sides cut out of 1/8" styrene with the window pane design transferred via carbon paper.

To make things faster, all four were taped together with double sided tape.

In order to cut them on the scroll saw, holes needed to be drilled into each aperture.

After cutting them on the scroll saw.

Window panes installed into the datacron.

Primer coat on the datacron.

I purchased three styles of stone textured spray paint from Menard's. I ended up only using the lightest color of the three.

Stone textured spray paint coating.

Smoked plexiglass as used for the windows and 4 super bright red LEDs were wired up and installed inside. The datacron runs off of 2 AAA batteries.

Obelisk Build:

The sides of the obelisk were made out of 1/2" MDF.

To help with the assembly, lips were installed.

The four sides were glued and clamped together. The datacron and obelisk were built at the same time. Multitasking!

The indentation effect was done by gluing 1/4" hardboard pieces.

Continuing to work on the raised portions.

The aurebesh text was printed out and transferred to 1/4" hardboard via carbon paper.

The text traced out, and darkened with a sharpie. Note the vertical line through the letters. This is for alignment on the obelisk.

The letters were cut out on the bandsaw.

The letters were installed with superglue, because I didn't have time to wait for normal glue to cure.

The is after the primer coating and two coatings of the stone textured spray paint.

Final Images:

The datacron and obelisk in the filming location. Very ominous looking.