The object of a prop should indicate straightaway its purpose and function. A player after taking a prop should instantly know what it can be used for. He should be able to answer the following questions: How does it work? How can it be used? What kind of weapon is it?
Ambiguity is usually caused by complexity and not clear silhouette or failure to capture the object’s characteristic features. While preparing weapon for the FPP projection one should answer the following questions:
- What element tells us that an X object is perceived as an X object?
- Which elements of the X object tell us what it can be used for? Is it weapon, an element of a jigsaw or an ordinary object?
- Is player informed clearly what to expect after pulling the action button/ the trigger?
While deciding on dimensions and shape of an object you should consider not only single components and relation between them but also the whole silhouette of a model.
Revolver would be the best example. Although differences in workmanship and shape, each has a cylinder which is a characteristic feature for this type of weapon.