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A ToolGuyd writer described using Google Gemini to help design parts for a Fallout 4-inspired Halloween prop with his son. Gemini generated OpenSCAD code that the maker could adjust, but it also missed design instructions, and the project still requires printing, assembly and possible manual redesign.
A ToolGuyd writer is using Google Gemini to help design and 3D-print components for a Fallout 4-inspired Halloween prop he is building with his son. The report says Gemini produced editable OpenSCAD code for some parts, giving the maker a way to explore shapes before committing to a more complete model, though the design and assembly are still in progress.
The project began after the writer’s son chose a Fallout-themed costume. A full DIY power-armor outfit was not practical within their time frame, so the writer shifted toward a smaller prop and costume details. A planned motorcycle chest protector did not arrive, and the pair instead expect to use foam and craft materials for the costume. The writer is concentrating on a prop intended to stand out, with a small wooden box as a possible base.
For one component, the maker wanted a truncated cone with a mounting ring. After several iterations, Gemini supplied OpenSCAD code describing two connected truncated cones. The writer says the code let him adjust parameters, including geometry and dimensions, and that a rough print was useful for moving to the next design stage. He plans to enlarge a later version and add holes so it can be fastened to the wooden box.
The AI output was not consistently accurate. The writer reports that Gemini ignored instructions about flush side arms and the placement of pill-shaped holes, and added chamfers he did not want. He modified generated code for another part, including its mounting holes and slots, and was printing a low-density version at the time of the report. For the handle and potentially the wider assembly, he may switch to manual modeling in Fusion or similar software.
AI as a Modeling Assistant
The report offers a practical example of generative AI being used as an aid in a hands-on project, rather than as a system that completes the work on its own. For this maker, the useful step was turning an idea he had not fully visualized into editable geometry that could be tested with a 3D print. That may help makers get from an initial concept to a prototype when they find it difficult to model unfamiliar shapes from scratch.
The limits are just as relevant. The writer still had to identify errors, revise the code, assess the print and plan how parts would attach to one another. The report does not establish that AI shortened the project or improved the finished prop; it describes one ongoing effort and the maker’s assessment that the tool helped with some difficult or tedious steps. The example points to a workflow in which human design judgment and physical testing remain central.
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From Costume Plan to Prototype
The project is a personal Halloween build, not a released product or a formal test of AI design software. The writer says his son has been playing Fallout 4 and wanted a costume connected to the game. Rather than reproduce a complex suit, they are pursuing a more manageable costume and a custom prop, possibly styled as a fictional detector. The son may decide what to call it once it is built.
The writer also describes using 3D files for non-pressurizable air fittings to see how they might fit with quarter-inch inner-diameter hoses. He had not decided whether to use inexpensive metal fittings and said the printed parts helped him consider the arrangement before buying a variety. He cautions that the displayed parts are for visualization, not pressurized use. Across the project, the intended approach is to mount separately designed pieces to a small box, using screws, glue or other joining methods as needed.
“The AI made a lot of mistakes, and I’m also learning how to better constrain dimensions in my prompts.”
— The ToolGuyd writer
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The Prop Is Still Unfinished
The report does not say whether the low-density handle print or the planned revised components worked as intended. The final prop’s shape, name, materials and functions are not settled, and the writer says the design still exists largely as a mental picture. It is also unclear whether he will keep using OpenSCAD for the full project or remodel some parts in Fusion or other software. The report provides no measured comparison of time, cost or print quality between AI-assisted and manual modeling.
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A Rough Build Before Halloween
The writer’s immediate aim is to complete a rough first-version prop in time for Halloween, then refine it if time allows. He plans to evaluate the prints, adjust dimensions and mounting features, and attach individually modeled parts to the wooden box. Some components may be redesigned manually, particularly where he wants closer control over how dimensions depend on one another. The report does not give a firm completion date or confirm what the finished prop will look like.
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Key Questions
What is the maker building?
He is building a homemade prop for a Fallout 4-inspired Halloween costume with his son. The exact identity and final design of the prop have not been decided.
How is Gemini being used?
Gemini generated OpenSCAD code for proposed 3D-printable shapes. The maker can edit parameters in the code and print rough parts to test dimensions and fit.
Did the AI create a finished, accurate model?
No. The writer reports that Gemini missed some instructions and added unwanted features. He corrected code and may manually remodel some components.
Is the prop complete?
No. The maker described the project as ongoing, with a rough first version planned for Halloween and further refinement possible afterward.
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