by borty

NOTE: I wouldn't attempt to print it yet, some of the walls are too thin for this scale with a 0.4mm line WIDTH. Unless you can print finer than that I wouldn't attempt to do so.

This is a CAS-class Assault Carrier of the Holy Covenant Empire from Halo 3: ODST. Printing at 100% scale will give you a 284mm or 11.2" model. I don't recommend printing at higher scales because of how visible the polygons will be. I've experimented with mesh smoothing but it's too resource intensive for my skill level.

This model is not my own, but an .obj can be obtained here for free: https://www.yobi3d.com/v/PrvuCKuAGh/Covenant_Assault_Carrier.obj

I've cleaned up the mesh, split it into sections minimising overhang, designed pin holes for assembly (pins included), as well as added a few small details here and there (with just a touch of artistic liberty).

Note that this is still a WIP - I'm going to modify the nose to include the funky shapes as soon as I figure out how (seen here: https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/halo/images/a/aa/H3_Covenant_Assault_Carrier_Transp.png/revision/latest?cb=20140601051019), as well as split the hull into front and rear halves like so (seen here: https://www.halopedia.org/images/thumb/f/f1/MDT.png/800px-MDT.png).

Pin dimensions are in micrometers, with a naming scheme of [Radius]X[Length].

Assembly is very straightforward, although you'll need to print multiples of some of the pins. Additionally, due to the pins being exactly the same diameter as their respective holes, I'd strongly advise printing the pins at 98% scaling to get a transition or light interference fit. Alternatively, sand back the outer diameter until you get a nice fit. You'll need to print:

2x R5000x34000 - joins Nose & BridgeHook, and CargoFore & CargoAft
2x R4000x28000 - joins CargoAft & Engines
1x R3750x24000 - joins Nose & BridgeHook
4x R2500x28000 - joins BridgeHook & CargoFore, and CargoFore & CargoAft

Note that you'll also need to rotate the STLs using your own slicing tool. The widest flat cross sections are always to lay on the printing bed. This'll be a bit unclear with BridgeHook, so just print it with the spike facing upwards (no supports are needed then).

If you use this in any publicly distributed works I hope you credit me AND the source I listed above. If you fail to do so then there's nothing I can be bothered to do about it, save for hope you get hit by a bus.

Also look out for my next upload - an articulated Pelican from Halo: Reach.

Happy printing!