Inferno Sword

1st Model

Animals & Creatures Props & Sets Exhibition & Display

An animatronic creature prop from the universe of Dungeons & Dragons. Appearing as an ordinary chest when closed before transforming into a monster when open.

Elegant closed chest

Monster chest

Close up monster chest

The Animatronic Mimic Chest features a pneumatic ram that drives the lid, creating opening and closing movements. The eyes protrude through 3D-printed linear gear mechanisms powered by servo motors, synchronized via a potentiometer mounted on the chest lock and programmed through Arduino. The tongue was made from foam latex using a fiberglass mold. The main structure was built from MDF, where was attached textured plastazote planks attached to simulate realistic wooden surfaces, shaped using a Dremel and wire brush, then finished with multiple layers of acrylic paint. Metal details were created from chemiwood, acrylic, and 3D printed parts, finished with iron paste and silverfinger. The teeth were sculpted in clay, molded in silicone, and cast in fast cast for duplication. The mouth interior was made using fabric and liquid latex to create texture.

2nd Model

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Props & Sets

Inferno sword from the movie of How to Train Your Dragon, featuring LEDs inside the blade to create practical lighting for actors and support CGI fire effects.

The Inferno Sword, full image of it

The Inferno Sword light working

Closer look at the Inferno Sword

The Inferno Sword is a 1:1 scale prop. The handle was mainly made using SLA 3D printing, sculpted in Rhino and ZBrush. The metal sections were finished with iron paste and Silverfinger, while the leather parts were laser-cut and engraved. The blade core was made from round aluminium bars, milled to create space for the LEDs to fit inside. The “fire” effect was created using addressable LEDs controlled by an Arduino, which can be activated either by a button on the dragon horn or through Bluetooth HC-05.

3rd Model

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Props & Sets Exhibition & Display

A viking boat miniature inspired by How to Train Your Dragon, designed for film sets, forced-perspective shots, or fantasy-themed exhibition display.

Miniature Viking Boat inspired in How to Train Your Dragon

Shields on the viking boat

Interior of the viking boat

The Viking boat is built at 1:59 scale. The main body of the boat was sculpted from chemiwood, with the dragon head and decorative ornaments laser-cut from MDF and acrylic. The chairs, bag, and oars were laser cut from acrylic, while the bucket, chest, and barrel were 3D printed from models sculpted in Rhino. The sail was first shaped in chemiwood, then vacuum formed in styrene to create the final structure. Fabric was sewn around the styrene form, with the design embroidered onto the surface. The boat floor was made from individually cut wooden sheets to create a plank effect.

Gallery

The key and lock of the mimic chest

The eye mechanism of the mimic chest

The dragon head on the Inferno sword

A chest and a bag with drawings on the viking boat

The dragon bow of the viking boat

Inferno Sword

Rafaela van der Linden Nader

University of Hertfordshire

BA Model Making

Stand: 35
Graduation: 2026

I am a Cinema graduate from FAAP (Brazil) with experience in model making, video editing, and art direction. I work mainly in 3D modeling with Rhino, woodworking, painting, Arduino-based interactive props, and both practical and CGI effects. I am seeking opportunities in film or theatre companies to work with practical effects, designing immersive and functional props and on-set effects.

Download Portfolio