Pioneer: Building a cockpit

Work for Pioneer is still underway with lots happening behind the scenes.

Today we thought that we'd show you some work that's going into building the cockpit of the spacecraft featured in the film.

The premise is that the ship is based on a heavily modified, unmanned cargo delivery drone so the cockpit has been custom-built from scratch by the main character.

Designs for some technology have been created from early sketches within SketchUp Pro 2022 in order to get ready for 3D printing, CNC machining and laser cutting.

Basic cockpit test layout with seat and controls

Main Displays

The cockpit will feature two main displays, each with additional custom-made hardware attached.

The first display will feature a backlit keypad with an integral smaller display mounted at the base of the main display.

Monitor with keypad holder

The displays are real computer monitors that will be adapted to look more futuristic and fit in with the general aesthetic of the cockpit. The additional parts detailed on a mock-up display above will be fitted to the real display that will show relevant cockpit/space/spacecraft information within the film.

Backlit Keypad

Backlit keypad with integral display (display not shown)

The first main display features a backlit keypad with an integral smaller display, this has been designed to be laser cut and 3D printed, the design features routing for 3mm flat-top LED lighting, 2.8" TFT touchscreen display with Raspberry Pi 4 to control everything (including the main display that it's mounted to).

Detail of backlit keypad parts with mounting holes for 3mm LEDs

The main parts of the keypad will be laser cut and painted, with the backlit keypad parts being 3D printed in clear resin. The small display hood and metal-look clips will also be 3D printed in resin and painted accordingly.

This will be a semi-functional prop, when the build is started we will detail its construction on the website.

Exploded view of the keypad components

Oxygen panel

The oxygen panel will have oxygen pipes attached and feature a lever. Initial designs are in progress.

Cockpit Instrument Panel Lights

Aircraft cockpits have lamps integrated so that the pilot is able to see the panel controls.

Cockpit lamp

This light was designed to resemble some real cockpit lights that were found on eBay.

Cockpit Instrument Panel Lights - picture from eBay

The light is designed to house a 3mm flat-top LED, these are readily available in multiple colours so a number of these lights in various hues can be positioned to suit the particular section of the cockpit.

These will be entirely 3D printed in resin.


More to follow...

Follow Pioneer for updates.

3studio logo - just for fun

About 3studio

3studio is a not-for-profit organisation where all proceeds are put back into the studio in order to improve the facilities and continue to offer discount rates to low-budget, small filmmaking teams.