Custom Ruger Mark IV 22/45 — Real-Time FPS Pistol with 3D Printed Mods

This project was inspired by a Vice documentary about untraceable firearms, also known as “ghost guns,” which are often partially 3D-printed and assembled at home. I wanted to recreate a Ruger with realistic 3D-printed plastic components, focusing on capturing the subtle layer lines, surface texture, and material behavior of additive manufacturing.

This was my first project using Plasticity, which allowed me to experiment with hard-surface modeling in a more CAD-like workflow while maintaining visual fidelity. Modeled to real-world scale with clean topology, each part was crafted to balance mechanical accuracy and visual realism. The main challenge was simulating the look of 3D-printed plastic while integrating it with metal and polymer parts seamlessly.

Rendered in Blender Cycles, with attention to PBR materials, surface breakup, and cinematic presentation. This project combines realistic weapon design with the technical nuances of modern 3D printing, making it both a visual study and a material exploration.