How to make a paper model from scratch.

 by TangMu
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How to release your sick imagination onto the public using nothing but paper and our friend the internets... oh and glue and something sharp

If ye are lazy and just want to ho some free models then have a look at my Deviant Art site - theres a few free plans up on there.
 
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Step 1: Materials

materials.jpg
The way i design paper toys is to work at them in a 3d modelling program and then export to another program that breaks them down into nets that you can print off and assemble. I'm not saying this is the only way, there are people out there that design completely using pen and paper. Props to them, but you have to be precise and i'm a messy kinda guy.

The program we are going to use to make the nets is called Pepakura Designer 2 - It's a japanese program and so the documentation for it is a bit squiffy. It's also shareware - you can work on a project and print it out but you can't save. There is a way around this but if you are going to be using this on a regular basis i would reccomend splashing out on the complete version. Its not much and its a way of thanking the peeps who went and made the prgram.
Pepakura Designer 2

For the initial modelling software, use what you are comfortable with - Pepakura designer accepts a wide range of filetypes (listed here). However if you as skint as me there are several freeware alternatives to the big name programs:
Metasequoia LE - This is the one i use, it's freeware and again japanese so the help files arent too hot and there are a few bugs that crop up every once in a while.
Google Sketchup *edit* I had bit of a dabble with this the other day and as people on the comments pointed out, it doesnt save natively to a format that pepakura designer can read, but you can export your models in google earth 4 format and it does work. Thanks guys.
**double edit** Aparently there's a plugin for sketchup that converts the faces into SVG format for use in inkscape http://code.google.com/p/sketchup-svg-outline-plugin/

As well as the software ye are going to need a printer and some fair meaty paper or card- theres a lot of play in the weights but go for something that will be sturdy but isnt so thick that the peices dont fit together properly. My mate allofusarelost even uses photo paper for his. Play around

You are also going to need something sharp - scalpel/ craft knife (or an "xacto" to be all brand namey). I'd go the whole hog and use a metal ruler and a cutting mat too (scrap thick cardboard also works but it needs to be big). If these scare the bejeebies out of ye or your 'rents wont let you, you could always fall back on the age old standby, scissors.

And then another dilemma... Adhesives! PVA (white glue/wood glue) works as does balsa cement (my fav when i have it) and are usefull for fiddly bits - tho pva has a tendancy of warping sometimes. You can also use a glue gun but as with those things it will always be a bit messy and "imprecise". Another option is to use double sided tape. This has excellent hold on large areas as long as you can get around the back of it but is a little time consuming cutting strips to length. When it is all prepared it is very quick to make and doesnt require you to hold pieces together for a long time whilst the glue sets.
Superglue is a nono! - it was designed for sticking together peoples not papers and you mind wind up with a cool yet useless bodymod.

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amalteser says: Oct 24, 2012. 8:20 AM
Can photographs be converted to 3D models?
TangMu (author) in reply to amalteserOct 31, 2012. 4:00 PM
There are two different programs I've come across that might be what you're looking for:

The first is called reconstructme http://reconstructme.net/ which I haven't played with and the second is called 123d catch by autodesk http://www.123dapp.com/catch that I've seen a demo for and was suitably impressed.

Other than this it is possible to load photos into your 3d design program to use as templates to trace around in the different planes but it depends on your program.

Hope this helps
sircaptaintigerotter in reply to amalteserOct 30, 2012. 10:26 PM
not unless u have high grade cameras and the equipment for it
megamonkey91 says: Aug 28, 2008. 3:31 PM
any mac alternative to pepakura? this looks like fun...
AlternateLives in reply to megamonkey91Dec 14, 2011. 3:36 PM
It didn't work for me, but you might be able to wrap the executable using Wineskin. Google Wineskin for more info.
dunreeb in reply to megamonkey91Jan 1, 2011. 6:35 AM
Yes, Dunreeb Cutout: http://www.dunreeb.com. It runs natively under mac.
There's even a free demo version to start out immediately. Have fun.
ninja_maker says: Dec 21, 2010. 8:15 PM
Hey could you send me an email on how to use Metasequoia and it's basics plz. That would be great if u could. Here's my email. pokemaster247@gmail.com.
PietJuh says: Nov 14, 2010. 8:01 AM
one of my favourites is Canon Papercraft
http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/1006/
elkalpin says: Jan 31, 2010. 2:52 PM
nice instructable and you're good at drawing!
cowscankill says: Oct 25, 2009. 5:47 PM
I got it to work! If someone needs help, you can ask me :D It's awesome! Thanks for the Instructable!
amakerguy says: Jul 24, 2009. 10:22 AM
Hey check out fiddlers green They have a lot of nice airplanes and buildings to make out of paper that you can print!
TangMu (author) in reply to amakerguyJul 27, 2009. 4:38 AM
Cheers, I'll add that to the list. Came across it ages back but have completely forgotten about it O_O
punk12345678 says: Jun 22, 2009. 12:17 AM
do you have the full version
GMer56 says: Apr 24, 2009. 8:22 AM
Nice robot!
newmariostar says: Mar 22, 2009. 8:46 PM
CHEEZE!
sharkstun97 says: Nov 25, 2008. 6:06 PM
i dont mean to be mean but i rather wait for the mcor matrix to come out
TangMu (author) in reply to sharkstun97Mar 17, 2009. 6:45 AM
wow that looks really cool... I've been eyeing up a craftROBO myself or making one of those rep-rap jobbies when i have the time.
mega man 4bm says: Jan 3, 2009. 8:47 AM
What paper is good for these models cause printer paper stinks!
TangMu (author) in reply to mega man 4bmMar 17, 2009. 6:39 AM
try and get some card that will fit in your printer without it a sploding - photo paper or 200 gsm card is also a good bet.
Aleksandr Skotbot says: Nov 8, 2008. 6:29 AM
do you know of a mac compatible program?
mg0930mg says: Nov 5, 2008. 4:35 PM
I wanted to make this pic below as a paper model. I wanted the length to be 3 1/2 ft. Can someone do it for me please, and email me at mg0930mg@yahoo.com If you can you are awesome.
mg0930mg in reply to mg0930mgNov 5, 2008. 4:36 PM
forgot the picture.
keyblade1.jpgD09A680A-E081-227F-DA67191B41897F15.jpgLarge.jpg
mg0930mg in reply to mg0930mgNov 5, 2008. 4:37 PM
here's another... It is Sora's, from Kingdom hearts, keyblade.
kingdom key 4.jpg
TangMu (author) in reply to mg0930mgNov 6, 2008. 5:05 AM
if you can find a small keyblade papercraft you can scale it up using a projector with the plans printed on acetate - measure up how big the parts are on the small scale, and then how big you want them to be. Then project onto a wall and move the projector back and forth so that the lines are the right size when measured (I've done this several times to make large scale projects)

PS a quick google gave me this:
chamoo's keyblade
mg0930mg in reply to TangMuNov 6, 2008. 7:41 AM
Thanks, but I am 13 and don't have acces to a projector, except one that hooks up to my movies or video games. Thanks for the link. Good Instructable.
Migeul Sanchez says: Apr 1, 2008. 9:03 PM
Try using Blender its a free 3D design program, its the best free program I've ever encountered. I started making a life size creature using pepekura & Blender but so far have only finished the head.
red-king in reply to Migeul SanchezNov 5, 2008. 5:33 PM
http://www.caligari.com/
I find it quite good.
red-king in reply to red-kingNov 5, 2008. 5:33 PM
its owned by microsoft btw.
TangMu (author) in reply to red-kingNov 6, 2008. 5:06 AM
it reminds me a little of adobe atmosphere... i must've been one of the only peeps wandering thru those virtual worlds O_o
Brother_D in reply to Migeul SanchezJul 10, 2008. 5:48 PM
I wish I could use Blender...
casey321b in reply to Brother_DSep 9, 2008. 8:18 PM
how do I. ive looked and it liek wont do anything I htink its a mystery to be solved
Brother_D in reply to casey321bSep 10, 2008. 1:35 PM
Excuse me? Please have a look at this instructable.
TangMu (author) in reply to Migeul SanchezJul 7, 2008. 1:17 PM
its on my to do list for when i have more time. I tried to get on a CAD/CAM course at uni but the program they were using just wasn't suited to creatives at all. Sure it did simulations and stress testing and was top of the line but it looked ugly and was far too confusing. Now i've graduated i've got all that lovely time called unemployment to look forward too :p
WhiteTigerTails in reply to Migeul SanchezMay 24, 2008. 12:40 PM
Really? DAZ|Studio and Poser are the best I've encountered.
Ayaan says: Oct 17, 2008. 12:14 PM
hey guys , i know that u r looking for making 3d modelling or animation.................... here is a link where iv downloaded many software like this.....

http://www.your3dsource.com/makeyourownanimation.html#3d%20plus
casey321b says: Sep 9, 2008. 8:30 PM
can I get one of the 3d programs that prints for free. or is it posible to you sketchUp
ewilhelm says: Aug 31, 2008. 12:07 PM
dragonjohn7445 says: Jul 10, 2008. 4:16 PM
what is the link
Brother_D says: Jul 10, 2008. 8:43 AM
on the no saving thing, couldn't you just use printscreen and save in paint?
jjay10 says: Jun 2, 2008. 12:00 PM
i want to make a paint ball mask but i don't know how to work on pepekura
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