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Skottsaber
05-16-2010, 03:17 AM
Hey Guys!
This weekend I finally got around to doing something I've been wanting to do for a while. See I have my own small piece of REAL Star Wars:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0049_490x367.jpg
Yup. Frames from original prints of each and every Star Wars episode. But it hangs inside a shelving unit and I can never see the film cells without taking it off the wall and holding it up to a light or the sun.
So I decided to backlight it. Here is what I got from my electronics store:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0050_490x367.jpg

A 4AA battery holder, 10 5mm white LEDs, resistors, a slide switch and a battery connector.
The resistor is colored blue, brown, black and gold. So I worked it out to be (blue = 6), (brown = 1) * (black = 1), tolerance (gold = 5%). So it is a 61 Ω resistor.

Now, how to place the LEDs? The area I want to illuminate is ±40cm long (15.7"). So should I place them behind the cells like this?
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0051_490x367.jpg

Or place them 40 ÷ 10 = 4cm apart?
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0052_490x367.jpg

I decided to go with 4cm apart.

Now you may be wondering what that 9V battery connector was doing in my parts. Well this picture might explain:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0053_490x367.jpg
The battery holder has 9V connection, so I need that to connect it. It also is quite helpful as a disconnect for testing.

I did a test wiring of one LED, and...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0054_490x367.jpg
It worked! (FYI: When wiring LEDs, the short pin is the negative, the long one the positive.

Another closeup of the test wiring, with the circuit disconnected from the battery holder:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0055_490x367.jpg

I also tested it behind a film cell. Guess which scene this is?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0056_490x367.jpg

Answer here. (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/answer.txt)

Next, I wired the switch in. I also tested my camera's Super Macro feature ;)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0059_490x367.jpg
I had to run wires from each LED to the next, because they aren't long enough to chain together. (Should have bought more LEDs, (facepalm).
This is pretty much the routine I followed with wiring the LEDs:

Put previous LED in helping hands (I love those things :D):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0065_490x367.jpg

Cut a piece of wire 8cm (3.1") long:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0066_490x367.jpg

Strip the ends:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0067_490x367.jpg

Cut in half and strip those new ends:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0068_490x367.jpg

Wrap one wire around the LED:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0070_490x367.jpg

Solder:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0072_490x367.jpg

Repeat with next wire:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0073_490x367.jpg

Check for shorts:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0074_490x367.jpg

Take new LED and solder it to wires:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0082_490x367.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0084_490x367.jpg

Heatshrink those connections:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0085_490x367.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0091_490x367.jpg

Check it still works:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0092_490x367.jpg

I did this until I had a string of 9 LEDs. I tested it for length behind the frame:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0093_490x367.jpg

I think 9 will do, and I'll have a spare if one breaks, or whatever.
I taped the LED string to the back of the frame:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0094_490x367.jpg
I was going to use electrical tape, but mine is black, so it would absorb some of the light, so I went with clear tape.

Finished pics!

Before (without the battery pack):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0096_490x367.jpg

After:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0098_490x367.jpg


And the frames:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0099_490x367.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0100_490x367.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0101_490x367.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0102_490x367.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0105_490x367.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0106_490x367.jpg


If anyone can guess which scene each frame is from, then you'll get a prize! :D

mihunai
05-16-2010, 03:19 AM
Now theres an interesting wallpiece!

Sure helps looking at those pictures.

mTm

Onli-Won Kanomi
05-16-2010, 04:59 AM
Well done, that is a truly excellent display of REAL Star Wars indeed...gotta love it!

Sloda Foade
05-16-2010, 05:36 AM
from top to bottom they would be in order
Star Wars episode IV A new Hope
Star Wars episode V The empire strikes back
Star Wars episode VI Return of the Jedi
Star Wars episode I The phantom menace
Star Wars episode II Attack of the clones
Star Wars episode III Revenge of the Sith

Do you want exact scenes as well? :)

Skottsaber
05-16-2010, 06:06 AM
Thanks guys, yes Sloda, I want scenes :p

Sloda Foade
05-16-2010, 06:43 AM
Well I'll have to check on the last 2, but here goes on the others. movies as before but scenes as follows
rescue of Leia from prison cell, Han trying to stop guards coming
Leia siting in MF at controls inside the belly of the worm just before the Lynocks attack
Sandbarge/Sarlach scene just before Luke jumps onto the second skiff with guards.
Pod race just before sebulbah crashes
jedi council chapter 9 new assignments
chapter 25 Mace learns the truth, Anakin waiting in Jedi council chambers

Is this enough?:?:

Skottsaber
05-16-2010, 06:47 AM
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/big-prize-color.gif

Nice! I'm actually not sure about the Mace one... but I'll check out chapter 9. I thought it was at the end during the part when Yoda is like: "Victory? Not victory, Master Obi-Wan. The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen... begun the clone war, has."

but I'll check

Sloda Foade
05-16-2010, 06:51 AM
Saved my big prize is, thanks :)
I had to look up the last two on the DVDs, I'm not as familiar with these as with the earlier movies. This is sad that I know these almost off by heart. My wife throws things at me when I start quoting along with the movies hehe.

Skottsaber
05-16-2010, 06:56 AM
Confirmed. The Mace scene is chapter 9 on the DVD.
Thats the thing, Sloda. The others are of quite memorable scenes, the AoTC one is quite random with no background to show any particular scene.

Sloda Foade
05-16-2010, 07:02 AM
I had tried to put in the proper name for the "piloting room" (ending in pit)in the Millenium Falcon, but the obscenity filter starred it out. I had to sit and think how else I would describe it.:)
Did you want exact frames... hehehe

Skottsaber
05-16-2010, 07:06 AM
I'm no expert on film, but does anybody know what those squiggly lines are at the side? I think they have something to do with sound...

Sloda Foade
05-16-2010, 07:09 AM
Yeah, AFAIK they are the digital audio tracks. I have seen film with tracks on both sides, but the ones on the right on those was for a digital multi projector system which triggered multiple overlapping projections. I don't think that one is very widely used.

Jedi-Loreen
05-16-2010, 12:46 PM
Cool. :cool:

But being able to see the rough texture of the wall behind some of the clearer cells is kind of distracting. :-|

Maybe you could put some sort of diffusive background directly behind the cells and move the LEDs closer to them?

Shadar Al'Niende
05-16-2010, 02:31 PM
something that might contain the light so it doesn't bleed out the sides in the back?

I think this would make this look more amazing than it already does.

Jedi-Loreen
05-16-2010, 04:26 PM
Yeah, that, too. :p

Ryan S
05-16-2010, 07:09 PM
something that might contain the light so it doesn't bleed out the sides in the back?

I think this would make this look more amazing than it already does.

a thicker frame perhaps

it wouldn't need to be much more than a half inch thicker to enclose it, if that

definitely enclose it!

the frame of Han in ST gear is my favorite
interesting display!!

Lord Maul
05-16-2010, 07:31 PM
That's pretty sweet. I didn't know that Lucas ever sold actual frames from the films. Very cool setup you have there :cool:

KuroChou
05-16-2010, 07:51 PM
I'd build a new frame, and use 3-5 extra LED's along the top of the frame as spotlights on the actual plaque, so you can see the whole display with the lights off.

Skottsaber
05-17-2010, 07:20 AM
But being able to see the rough texture of the wall behind some of the clearer cells is kind of distracting. :-|

You can only REALLY see that if you have eyes like my camera does. Its really hard not to look at the frame itself.


something that might contain the light so it doesn't bleed out the sides in the back?

I'm actually considering using my 10th LED to make light come out of the other side as well. Its not very symmetrical atm. And trust me... it does look cool with the light coming out the back. Kinda like when you put a torch on the floor and it casts a long beam. Looks almost lightsaber-esque.


the frame of Han in ST gear is my favorite

Mine too! :cool:


I didn't know that Lucas ever sold actual frames from the films.

He didn't. From what I've heard about the company who made this, Rye by Post, they actually take butchered bits of film from collectors and cut them up to make these. I still love it though :D


I'd build a new frame, and use 3-5 extra LED's along the top of the frame as spotlights on the actual plaque, so you can see the whole display with the lights off.

You know, because its above AND below shelves, its dark enough to see the frames, but light enough to see the display. I don't usually turn off the lights to look at it. ;)

EDIT:
I took some pictures to illustrate my last point. This is lights on, some daylight.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0109_653x490.jpg

Backlight on:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1237687/TCSS%20Posts/Film%20Cell%20Backlight/Small%20pics/SANY0110_653x490.jpg