The Traveller is, ostensibly, a mutualist parasite from the planet Trappist-1f that imitates bones as camouflage, or perhaps to lure in a curious host.
In reality, the Traveller is a 3D printed mask and a character that I created. This page looks at how the mask was made!
The .stl file that I used was created in Blender, which I taught myself how to use over the summer in 2021. I ended up combining different deer skulls, a human skull, and antlers to get the effect and shape I was looking for.
This picture is from just after a test print of the eyes section — you can see I printed them a bit too wide.
Eventually I managed to get everything in the right place and put everything together. I printed almost everything at Jinxbot 3D Printing, with the exception of the front antlers, which I made at Maker Nexus, both in the Bay Area.
I used E6000 glue to put the pieces together, but some pieces needed a homemade rig to stay in the right spot.
You can see two metal hooks on the front of the helmet section in the previous image, which I took from a picture hanging set. Those hooks are the only connection between the front mask and everything else.
This was an exciting moment when I could actually wear the mask for the first time, though it wasn’t done quite yet!
Here’s the finished project! I cut out the lenses of a pair of optometry blackout glasses and glued them behind the eyes, which gives a very mysterious look.
You can see more of the Traveller on my in-character Instagram here.