tarok

Thanks for the advice! I found a great-looking SE-14R to print, so I’ll do that while I find the right patterns!
 
So I want it to be more grey, but I understand flat grey is not approved by 501st. Are we talking more of an olive grey then?

If we’re talking Line or Staff Officer, you could print your blaster, or in the case of the Mimban Officer, your chest armour and some of the belt boxes.

Unfortunately FDM, and even resin, lacks the crispness of a metal cap badge, belt buckle, and rank badge.


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Fantastic! Big fan of the security transport officer!

Haha touché my bias for the goggles is obvious, isn’t it? Lol
 
With reference to the Beckett photo above though, note how the rank badge is on a raised wedge, if you will. It doesn’t sit flush with the armour. Is that something which needs to be included in the CRL in future? (I ask that bearing in mind the statement that nothing about Beckett is normal )

The rank on a wedge is technically part of the CrL already, it won’t sit flush since it is a ridged solid bar and the armor curves.

You can see how mine is attached here, ignore the shoulder emblems that’s me having some non-canon fun with a part of the armor that’s under the coat anyway (and also not required).




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Don't attach photos directly... we do not have Facebook's unlimited money for hosting fees of every user's photos.
 
 
 

For code cylinders, technically you can use chalk holders, but they need modifications, and they'll only ever be good for basic approval, not higher levels (which are optional but highly encouraged).  Philo sells perfect replica dosimeters which are perfect all the way up to Level 3.
 

 
If you want to go the chalk holder route there's a good tutorial on the modifications here:
 
 
For rank bars, I *highly* recommend getting a proper pushbutton rank bar, and not the acrylic chips that cost nearly the same amount but again, are not very accurate and only approvable at the basic level.  I'd recommend BaileyBuilds or RankBadger on Etsy for great rank bars (BaileyBuilds also has a sales thread here on our forums, look for Alay's post).  Alternatively you can make them yourselves by buying the correct pushbuttons (there are threads here with links to sources), but if you're just starting out it's a lot simpler to buy them from established vendors.

I assume you’re referring to a specific Navy as the Navy I currently serve in most definitely has the rank of Commodore. Saying that the rank of Commodore doesn’t exist in ‘the Navy’ is quite inaccurate. 

This is where I bought my Krennic gloves.  These same ones are fine for this, as well:
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REAL-SOFT-SHEEP-NAPPA-LEATHER-WINTER-GLOVES-MENS-DRESS-CLASSIC/121718091583

Interstait's "quality" is good, but that's simply not the right product for the part.  Their badges and ranks and such are all plastic, no metal.  That's fine for a fun pin and they do a nice job of them, but for a 501st-level recreation, PhiloProps is definitely the better choice.

Hi, no you don't need a blaster. As you will be able to see from the Costume Reference Library (CRL) linked above by @tarok blasters are entirely optional.
With regards to the main costume (and please note that you'll rarely be able to purchase everything from the one vendor in this hobby, unfortunately) I would recommend looking at places like WampaWear, Imperial Boots or CosplaySky.
For other bits and pieces you can take a look at this section of the forums here.
I'm fairly certain you'll have a PM from another of our advisors with a lot of this information by now also.
I hope this helps!

Ill be messaging you shortly to help you out.

I only know about the screencap that shows the yoke and searched the internet back and forth to get further info. The Lego minifig suggests that there might be some sort of vertikal or maybe even princess seams, but no way to see anything due to the phenomenal illumination. 

CRL draft looks good to me, but there are to things regarding the tunic where I have questions if 
 
- Do we have any information how the chest yoke is attached? 
If we can confirm that it was attached with hooks and bars I'm ok with that, otherwise I would leave it to the applicant how they want to construct it.
 
- Same question regarding the front closure
Do we have references? I think as they used something similar for the FO Lieutenant/Captain it could be the same construction method. But again I wouldn't like to demand something that can't be proven by references. 
 
I could also ask the same question about the seam around the waist, but as it's important to get the tunic a good fit I'd just include it. 
 
Maybe someone here knows how to contact Stella Atkinson (the assistant costume designer of Ep IX) to answer these questions. At least Glyn Dillon guessed that she is meant on the rankbar as "Stels" is her Nickname and whilst taking into account her job it would make sense.

A very common problem people can have, when they are new to forums like this one, is figuring out how to get their photos posted.  The IOC forums have only a very small amount of space for each person's account, due to server space limitations.  The 501st is a volunteer organization (how much did you pay to join?  Trick question!) and we don't have the deep pockets of the world's wealthiest mega corporations (Facebook, Google) to pay for the space to host everyone's unlimited photos.  And modern cellphones take very large images... a single image can easily fill your entire space allotment!
 
Instead, we recommend hosting your photos elsewhere.  Then you can simply paste a LINK to the photos here in the forums, and all it is is a little bit pf text... the photo itself is pulled from the other location.
 
The problem is many "free" places that you can post your photos do magic on the back end of their servers, to manage the massive quantities they have to deal with.  And they won't give a DIRECT link to your photos... they will only give a magically-generated link that they use to pull up the photo on the fly, and unfortunately, that won't work with forums like ours.  The link MUST be a direct link to a photo, ending in the image file itself, just like it would look if you save it to your computer's hard drive.  (like "IMG1234.jpg" or really any image name ending JPG, PNG or other common image formats)  Google, Facebook, DropBox... none of these popular places will give you a DIRECT link to your photos.
 
Fortunately, Imgur is a popular free host which DOES offer direct links to your photos, and works great for this.  It's free for now.  No one can know if it will remain free forever, but it's the best we can do at this time.  (We pray it never turns evil like Photobucket and breaks the internet, killing all linked photos unless you pay!)
 
If you've already managed to fill up your attachment allowance, once you have put your photos on Imgur and gotten links for them all, you can edit your posts and replace the photo attachments with the links.  It'll look exactly the same, but there won't be any space used in your local storage, once those attachments are deleted.
 
So here is a step-by-step instructions on how to use Imgur to host your photos, for all your posts here in the IOC Forums.  (and any other 501st forums)
 
THESE ARE DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS.  ONCE YOU DO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES YOU'LL SEE IT'S A VERY SIMPLE PROCESS!  So don't be scared off by the length of these instructions!
 
Note: I personally find the process easiest on a real computer, but that requires you to have your photos already saved on your computer, and many people have their photos fairly trapped on their phones, these days.  Fortunately, they have a phone app also. 
 
1) Download the Imgur app onto your smartphone from your App Store or Google Play, or wherever you get apps.
 

 
2) Log in, or create an account.
 

 
Note: If asked, you'll need to allow the app access to your photos, obviously, else you can't upload photos or save them from Imgur.
 
4) Tap the Plus icon in the upper right corner to upload a new photo (or photos)
 

 
5) When you've selected all the pictures you want to upload, click Next (again, upper right corner)
 

 
6) On this next screen, you'll want to
 
A) Give the set of pictures a title (you are creating a "post" that's basically a "photo album", and you can add more photos to this album (post) later, or make another new one every time, whichever you choose) 
 
B.) Decide if you want the pictures to be public (the default, at first)... anyone in the world can see them, and search for keywords, and comment on them.  Or (my recommendation, but it's up to you) make them hidden so they can only be seen by you... or anyone with the direct link to the photo.  (Like people on this forum, when you paste in the links)
 
C) Optional: Add a description or tags if you want the image to show up for the general public's searches (or your own searches... it could be handy if you have a LOT of photos to be able to search).  Optional... if you don't understand this part, feel free to leave it blank.
 
D) Optional: If you want to add more, you can click "Add Images and Videos" there at the bottom.
 
E) Finally, click "Upload" (in the upper right, as usual).
 

 
7) It will warn you that you're creating a Private (or Public) post, in case that was an accident, otherwise, it'll upload the photo(s).
 

 
8.) Next it will offer you the ability to "Copy Link".  That link, however, is for the ENTIRE ALBUM.  (which may be one photo, or may be 100 photos)  Handy if you want to send the whole collection to someone to look over, but they have to follow the link to Imgur's website, scroll, etc., so that's not what you want if you just want to display a single photo in a forum post.  JUST CLICK THE "X".
 

 
 
9) Click on the SINGLE photo you want a link for, so it's full screen.  There will be a little icon at the bottom to share the image.  Tap that, and this time, you WANT to "Copy Link".
 

 
The link you just copied will look like this: https://i.imgur.com/Nxy6uJX.jpg   (note this ends in an actual JPG file and not some random string of letters like Google Drive, DropBox, etc.  THAT'S THE LINK YOU WANT!
 
I recommend pasting the link into a note (or email), if you want to collect a bunch of links all at once, otherwise if you're doing forums from your phone, you can paste that link directly into your forum post, and the forum will display the photo at that link.  Like magic!
 
Note: If you're alternating between your phone and a real computer:
 
Once you have uploaded the photos from your phone, you can do basically the same process, but on your computer.  Go to Imgur's website, log into your account, and you can see all the albums you have uploaded:
 
1) Click your account name in the upper right corner
 
2) Click All to show every album ("post") you have ever uploaded.  Find the album you want and open it. 
 


3) The easiest method I've found is to simply right-click the image (control-click on a mac, to right click) and choose to Copy the Image Location.  (Other browsers will phrase that differently, like "Copy image address" in Chrome)
 

 
Then, as before, just paste that link into your forum post and it will display the photo!
 
Enjoy!
 
One Warning: If you ever delete your account, or the photos from it, the photos will no longer display here on the forums.  All your posts will converted to broken image links that don't work, and especially if you kill an entire account, replacing every photo you've ever posted would be a pretty monumental task!  It's the ultimate "pail and shovel" move, so PLEASE don't do it!
 

Hey everybody!  Bob mentioned this topic earlier today in his detachment newsletter, but the discussion for it has thus far been on the staff-only section of the forums, which isn't visible to the membership at large.  So, I would like to duplicate my comments here to solicit more feedback.
 
I would like to make three changes to the judging standards used by deployment officers to judge L2/L3 (Executor/Imperator) submissions.  I believe these changes will remove some subjectivity and ambiguity from the process.  These changes primarily affect Imperator (L3) submissions since the criteria for those is higher than they are for Executor (L2).
 
1. Judging done on CRL specifications only; no unwritten/subjective criteria
 
In the past, applicants have been judged on criteria that are not explicitly spelled out in the CRL, such as the presence of undyed vs. dyed edges on belts, edge grooves on belts, numbers of belt holes, jodhpur shape, tunic length, etc.  Since these are not spelled out in the CRL (or were not in the past; some may be now), there is no way for the applicant to prepare in advance unless they are "in the know", and there is no guarantee the unwritten criteria will be applied consistently across all applicants and different deployment officers.
 
Going forward, we will judge applicants solely based on what is explicitly stated in the CRL.  Some of the criteria I mentioned above have since been added into their respective CRLs (such as undyed belt edges on the ANH Staff Officer CRL) anyway.  If any deployment officers or other IOC staff believe we should be judging based on criteria that are not currently in the CRL, we will discuss them as CRL edits and get them added there (if the consensus goes that way) before they will be used to judge any L2/L3 submissions.
 
This does not mean that deployment officers are prevented from making recommendations or suggestions to applicants based on details that are present in reference material but aren't explicitly stated in the CRLs.  However, these recommendations will be in the form of suggestions only, and will not be used to deny L2/L3 applications.
 
 
2. Emulating an on-screen/canon officer is encouraged, but not required.
 
One of the current expectations for L3 submissions is that the applicant emulate a specific officer configuration (in other words a specific rank bar + code cylinder + belt box + glove + sidearm + any other accessory configuration).  Again, for "generic" CRLs, this isn't spelled out as a L3 requirement.  As long as the applicant's individual costume pieces meet CRL criteria and they are in a configuration that makes sense for that costume (for example: no OT rank bar with Rogue One belt boxes), we will not require that the applicant pick a specific officer configuration and emulate them.
 
We still encourage applicants to emulate a specific officer configuration since that's the easiest way to be really really accurate  and it's a way to show love to a favorite canon officer , but again, this is only if the applicant wants to.
 
 
3. One submission per CRL/version
 
In the past, multiple L3 submissions have been allowed on a single CRL, due to the requirement that applicants emulate an on-screen officer.  Some applicants were then able to rack up many L3 awards on a single costume by switching accessories (for example: submitting their line officer as Admiral Piett, then General Tagge, then Captain Needa). Instead, we propose to allow only one L2 and one L3 submission for an approved costume on a single discrete CRL.  
 
The exception to this will be for CRLs with version tabbing.  An applicant can submit one L2 and one L3 submission for each version of a CRL.  For example, Krennic has four version tabs, so someone could conceivably submit four L2 and four L3 applications if they have all the required options.

You can get screencaps for almost every Star Wars movie from this site:
https://starwarsscreencaps.com
 

We can chat about this shortly.  In my opinion, I don't see why Sherry can't be judged (for L2) on the costume she originally submitted for Level 2 on.  She was basically approved pending photos long before the CRL was cut over to the new one.  Even if it takes a bit longer for her to get there, the ball was certainly rolling on this before anything changed.
 
But we can hash this out and determine a policy, in case others feel otherwise.

I bid a fond farewell to the staff of the IOC.  It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the IOC for the past 8 years.  
 
So good luck to all, I'll still be around to advise, but I now fly into the wild blue yonder.
 

Apologies I missed this, we do know the holsters used in the Mandalorian are the same as the one used by the gate officer in Rogue one.

Sorry there was a typo, right now there is no mention of grooves, I dont want to add the need at basic but I have no issue adding them to Level 2

Yes, I definitely think grooves should be added for L2.  Near as I have seen, ALL Imperial belts, from ROTJ forward, had grooves.

Chest:
 

 

Officers have long been able to wear blasters... just not all officers, and not all blasters, or course.   I've been wearing an MSP5 with my Staff Officer from the start.  I could wear the DH17 but I prefer the MSP5.  And of course Krennic and some others have had blasters all along, as well.
 
That said this is the first time the Line Officers have carried blasters (on screen, anyway... comics, as always, are another story).  Nice for them to have the option.
 
I prefer the OT setup for my own use... but if someone wants to go for the Rogue One / Solo / Mandalorian look, and carry a blaster, I have nothing against that.   And hey, you never know when I might want that option, too.  (Which is why I'm printing an SE-14R right now, LOL!)
 
Frankly, though, considering how many events aren't allowing blasters at all anymore, I'm happy to have a blaster-less costume that's still thoroughly Imperial yet doesn't feel incomplete without the blaster.  I just can't get used to trooping my TK without a blaster.

I think the etsy holster listed above is actually incorrect for higher levels of approval, if that's your thing.  If I remember right you need the type that has a single thick loop a la Rogue One Navy Trooper Anson Thobel (I think that's his name.).  The maker above does also make that type though.  It's on his etsy store as well.  Darman does great stuff, I have several of his holsters, and I also second the advice above for getting the thicker leather.  It's pretty much bomb-proof.  

Ok, a couple of things.
 
1) The first boots posted by the OP are just fine.  Yes, they're taller than usual, but they're otherwise the correct style, and the CRL specifically allows for Spanish style tops, which is what those are.  Flat cut is better and more accurate (and honestly it wouldn't cost much to have a shoe repair place make that modification), but they're fine as-is to Level 3.
 
2) Dublin / Ovation Derby boots are absolutely allowed.  Any GML who turns them down should be challenged, and is going to lose that fight.  They're very commonly used for people just starting off looking for a cheap option.  (They're terrible boots, IMO, sweaty and uncomfortable, but they're approvable for basic level.)