Fake Window Glass?

[stzasan]

What if you want large breakable windows? Where should I start?

[Justin Kuhn]

Back in the day they used sugar glass but now the preferred method is probably the "Shatter" AfterEffects plugin or similar...

[GageFX]

It wont be cheap. You dont have a city/state listed so I'm puting up some local info. Google your city/state if these dont help.

The first is a recipe for candy glass. This will definitely be your cheapest route and should work just fine. Make a frame/mold for the size/shape of glass you want. Get some 1/2 molding from Home Depot, nail it in the shape to a nice big piece of smooth board (I'm not a lumber guy so I dont know the names, but like a perfectly smooth fiber board or particle board), mix your concoction and pour it in your mold.

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=38796

Option two, call Alfonso's.

http://www.alfonsosbreakawayglass.com/index.php

Option three,

Check out ISS.

http://www.issprops.com/index.htm

They are the biggest prop house in the world next to Universal Studios. BUt, keep in mind that they are currently working on Transformers, Pirates 3, and 100 other shows that have budgets a million times your budget. Or mine. They can make it, but I doubt it will be cheap.

-GageFX

[stzasan]

Woa, TY.

[-zach-]

Alfonso's breakaway glass is probably the best for your money you would want. Making sugar glass yourself is tough. Alfonso's does it well and the price isn't amazingly insane.

[GageFX]

Agreed, Zach.

I haven't made it, but I imagine it isnt easy and I dont know how big he wants that glass, but I wouldn't want to be the one moving/installing it, whether bought or made.

-GageFX

[BLT]

Gah we tried making sugar glass but ended up making caramel instead. It really is much much much more difficult than it seems. We ruled it imossible eventually. If you can do it its hats off to you. In the end we broke real glass and cut the scene into two. One with the glass still intact and the next of the broken glass on the floor. Just crossed our fingers and hoped the audience could imply what happened.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2288/sescapelastofficeshootout30004io1.jpg

[Ramon Boutviseth]

its counterstrike!

[BLT]

What? Thats from my latest action movie haha.

[Justinec101]

http://smooth-on.com/specialfx.htm

Haven't tried it but looks interesting. Scroll down to where it talks about SMASH!.

[maverickstunts]

It would help if I knew what the application of the gllass is. Do you need someone to go through it, shoot through it, or break it? Every application is different.

[GageFX]

That SMASH! "glass" is cool stuff. I haven't seen that brand, but I've seen/played with the stuff before. Over at ISS they make windows up to 4'x8' (that I have seen, maybe larger). The hardened product is very cool. It's rigid, yet soft. Kinda hard to explain. It's a softish plastic so it wont cut, but it looks just like real broken glass. It's used alot for scenes where glass will shower down onto talent.

Just my 2 cents.

-GageFX

[donkathon]

Ive had bad experiences with it. But for a window, you need a HUGE pot and a HUGE drying mat (if you want to make it yourself). And most of all, maintained humidity, and make sure your concoction has reached it's caramelization point.