[djonesgamerboy]

Okay, so I'm about to start on making my hylian shield for my Link costume. I need tips on making. I was planning on making it out of the pink insulation foam board, but if I do that, I'd have to buy the whole sheet which I could make like six shields out of, but I digress. What are the rules as far as props. I was planning on putting a string on the back to let it hang off the sheath of my plastic sword. Thoughts?

[okaonos]

From the convention policies section of the main website:

1. IRT has final say in the acceptability of all props and weapons. If your prop or costume goes against these guidelines, IRT will issue a warning and record your information and will ask you to put the prop in your room or change out of your costume. If IRT finds you with the prop or costume again, they will confiscate your prop or your badge — your choice.
2. Any confiscated items may be claimed at the end of the convention unless required by the police for evidence.
3. Confiscated Weapons Claim Claim of confiscated items occurs from 2pm-6pm CST on Sunday at convention operations. You must bring a government-issued photo ID to claim a confiscated item. Anime Central will dispose of any items not claimed during this time.
4. If you are law enforcement personnel and are required to carry a firearm, please let us know at Information Services / Customer Service, so we can contact IRT This helps us stay informed of your presence and avoid confusion.
5. Prop Length Limit Props must be four feet or under in length. If your prop is close to four feet in length, you may come to Information Services / Customer Service to have it checked. In the case that you fail to comply with this rule you will be escorted by IRT to Information Services / Customer Service to have your prop checked.
6. If your prop is over four feet in length, it must be collapsible down to four feet or less sections for transport through the hallways. For photo opportunities, the prop can be re-assembled, but then must be promptly disassembled again.
7. If you are stopped by I.R.T. after the prop is marked by Information Services / Customer Service as okay, just show them that you have already had it checked.
8. Damage Liability If you, your costume, or your costume prop is responsible for any damage to the convention center or hotel, you will be held personally responsible and billed accordingly for the resulting damage.

1. No lewd or vulgar remarks in any language.
2. Your costume must conform to local laws concerning indecent exposure.
3. Your costume may not have any harmful protrusions such as spikes or sharp edges.
4. Your costume and accessories may not extend more than six inches from your body.
5. If your costume has any parts that extend more than six inches from the surface of your body, or that may injure passers-by in a crowded hallway or other venue here including an ACen-related venue, you are required to remove them before entering said venue.

[djonesgamerboy]

Thanks. I actually ended up finding that on the site like moments after posting. I guess now the question is, anybody have any suggestions? What's the best way to trim up foam board?

*Note* The first one to say scissors gets a bomb in the britches.

[Sherpa]

Speaking as one who helped make Sango's (from Inuyasha) boomerang out of a massive piece of 2 inch pink insulation foam, we used a jigsaw to make the outline cuts, but I assume any electric saw will work just as well. If you don't have anything electric, I'd take a shot at a manual saw, just be sure to keep sawing without too much pressure or the saw may get jammed in the foam.

So, I'd say use a saw to make the basic outline and then use really rough to medium sandpaper to carve off any 90degree angles and to basically shape the piece. I found that if you have the correct amount of roughness, the foam is really super easy to shape to whatever shape you want; it just takes a little practice to make any curves even from end to end. And make sure you sand the surface to get rid of any imprinted labels, since those indented words will show through paint or coverings! To make it smoother and finish it off, follow up with a fine grain sandpaper to get rid of any rough edges and make it smooth enough to cover.

Keep in mind if you're painting, most spray paints will eat the foam, but I believe we used a small jar of latex house paint.

Let me know if you have any questions of if something was unclear, but this method worked really well for us!