Building Obsidian’s Sword from Steven Universe!

This thing was forged from foam core and has a NeoPixel LED strip making it super bright.

Customize LEDs colors and make sound effects when you swing in battle!

It’s a bit over 3 feet (900mm) long and completely made from foam core poster boards.

We used one 20x30 inch foam core boards to create this awesome sword!

The handle, blade and components are detachable so it's easy to break down and travel with!

We used Microsoft MakeCode to animate the NeoPixel LED strip! Codeblocks makes it fun and easy to learn how to program hardware with the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express.

Craft Parts/ Tools

To build this project, all you need are some foam core poster boards and art supplies. 

Prerequisite Guides

There's resources in these guides that go beyond what's covered in this tutorial. The MakeCode guide is all about setting up your Circuit Playground Express board.

The Circuit Playground Express introduction guide walks you through all of the pinouts, sensors and everything you need to know.

• MakeCode for Circuit Playground Express
• Introducing Circuit Playground Express
• Using Vinyl Cutters for Projects

NeoPixel Strip + Extension Alligator Clips

The alligator clips from the Neopixel strip connects to the pads on Circuit Playground Express. The wires on the strip will need  extension cables to reach around the sword. We used small Alligator clips to join the strip to the Circuit Playground Express.

• Red connects to Vout
• White connects to A0
• Black connects to GND

Upload and Test Code

Once you have your CPX setup with the MakeCode UF2, try testing it out by uploading the code to the board.

Click the link below to open up the program in MakeCode. Click on the pink edit icon near the top of the title to open the code.

This will create a project in MakeCode and allow you to edit, modify and upload the code to the board.

Cut Templates

We'll start off by printing out all of our paper templates and then carefully cut out each shape using a hobby knife. Next, trace the outlines on foam board and cut each copy. We used strips of blue tape to hold the template in place.

We'll need:

(2) Blade faces

(3) Blade frames

(1) Gem connector  

(2) Cross-guard (hands)

(2) paper diffuser

(1) Cardboard Tube (31.65mm diameter)

Download the artwork below

Stack Layers

Now we can stack the layers on top of each other to form the blade body and mount the NeoPixel Strip between the layers. 

Glue Layers

We applied hot glue to the inner edges of the backing and the two frame pieces. Glue the backing to the first outline piece. 

Do NOT glue the top center piece. We will use this as our removable cover.

We'll want to make sure the backing isn't inserted in the outline, stack it on top then glue the inner edges.

Mount NeoPixel Strip

Our LED strip rests inside the blade body by press fitting it into the groove near the tang of the blade.

Slide the wires through and then pull the LED strip so it fits the full length of the blade

Alligator Clip Extensions 

We'll need to add short extensions for the NeoPixel strip.

This will allow it to reach from the CPX through the handle.

Attach Handle 

Bring the paper towel tube near the tang and pass the alligator extension wires through. Pass the wires through to the other end.

Now we can attach the handle by carefully sliding the tang into the paper towel tube.

Attach Guard

Next we'll assemble the sword hilt components. Align the guard to the end of the handle and pass the NeoPixel strip wires through the bigger slit cutout on the guard.

Battery Pack

The battery pack is inserted into the handle with its wire side facing out of the tube. Pass the battery packs wires through the same slit as the LED strip.

Pommel Gem

The guard is attached to the handle with the help of the longer Gem cutout. Press fit the Gems steam through the center slit on the guard. 

Connect Circuit Playground Express 

The Circuit Playground Express lays on top of the Gem cutout. Use the alligator clips to connect the LED strip and battery wires.

Handle Grip pattern 

Now we can wrap the texture pattern to the handle. We used an inkjet printer to print out the pattern. 

We used a medium stock 12x12 sized paper to fit the length of the handle.

Roll the paper around the paper towel tube and adhere with glue stick.

Cross-guard

Next we'll build our cross guard. Printed the cross guard pattern on paper and trace the outline onto a piece of foam core. Cut out two cross-guards using a hobby knife.

Use a glue stick to adhere the texture graphic to the foam core cut outs. 

Gem

Now we can adhere the center gem on top of the cross guard.

Attach Cross Guard

Almost fully fused! 

Now we can hot glue our assembled  cross guard to the hand. 

Careful not to glue the cross-guard to the blades.

Allow the glue to dry and then apply more glue to the back sides of the cross guard.