Tech Tip: Miniature Life Casts -- SPFXnex,The Special Effects Artist Network

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Subject: Tech Tip: Miniature Life Casts

Author:
Rich Knight

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Date Posted: 14:09:18 07/02/02 Tue

Here's an interesting technique I've learned from my experience with lifecasting....

As you may know, alginate begins to shrink as the water evaporates. By allowing your alginate mold to dry out you can create miniature lifecasts. This works best with teeth casts as the alginate tends to shrink uniformly.

After casting and removing your stone positive...try to salvage the alginate mold. Once the mold is removed from the life cast, simply allow it to dry out. You will visibly see the shrinkage of the alginate. Once the alginate mold has shrunken to the desired size, soak it in water for about an hour. Then cast either stone or quick cast plastic into your shrunken alginate mold. Once your casting medium has cured, carefully break away the dried alginate from the cast. When finished you will have a perfectly shrunken set of teeth. These can be very useful when sculpting miniature heads...and will save you the time of having to sculpt out the teeth.

You may use this same technique to make a shrunken head from a face cast, although the alginate from a face cast will not shrink uniformally. The end result looks something like an Easter Island statue with a human likeness. Not quite as useful as miniature teeth, but fun nontheless...and it's a great way to get the most from your materials.

This tech tip has been given in good faith, however I will not take responsibility for any poor results.

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