Craft Your Own Holochess Table for Star Wars Fans: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide
In a remarkable feat of engineering and artistic creativity, a dedicated enthusiast known as Maker Mac70 has successfully recreated the Holochess table from the iconic movie franchise, Star Wars. This table was famously featured as a diversion within theMillennium Falcon in the film's debut in 1977.
The centerpiece of this intricate setup is a light-scattering plate manufactured by ASKA3D, a Japanese firm. This innovative component disburses light emitted from displays within the table in a manner that causes the diverging rays to converge at a point above the table's surface, thereby creating the illusion of a floating holographic image. In this instance, the effect is most visible on an acrylic chessboard resting on the table.
While the holographic effect can only be viewed from a single angle, it nonetheless appears strikingly realistic, as demonstrated in the accompanying video. The table employs six SPI displays, which are strategically positioned and angled to project each character in the game. Two of these displays are mounted on 3D-printed moving gantries, enabling two creatures to engage in simulated combat at the heart of the table.
It is important to note that this Holochess recreation is somewhat simpler than the original game as depicted in the Star Wars films. However, considering the limitations of contemporary technology and the real-world constraints, the results are impressively close.
Interestingly, Maker Mac70 has previously showcased a similar floating display project. That project operates on comparable principles but utilizes more common components, thereby making the technique more easily accessible for hobbyists and enthusiasts. For those with different recreational interests, a volumetric display capable of playing the classic video game DOOM might be more appealing.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of real-world holographic technologies, our own Maya Posch has delved into the subject in a thought-provoking deep dive that may pique your curiosity.
This intricate Holochess table, reminiscent of the one in Star Wars, utilizes not only artistic creativity but also advanced technology, including six SPI displays and hardware components. The table's technology is a blend of data-and-cloud-computing principles and modern gadgets, bringing Maker Mac70's creation to life.
