Modular Origami Dragon by Namer

This will show you step by step, with photos( a million of the dang things) how to fold this dragon I designed. It may look complicated but trust me, if you can fold a crane you can make this easy. It only looks complicated. Due to time I had to assign multiple pictures to each. Sorry to all the non pro members out there. if enough people want it I will do a video tutorial on the dragon. Let me know what you think.If you have any questions let my know,I will try to answer them as best that i can. Cheers!... I will post another instructable on this that will be easier for the non pro community members to use. Sorry guys, I had to do it this was to get everything done in time for the contest.

Note: THE FOLDING AND ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN THE NOTES ON THE PHOTOS! every single photo has notes on it.

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Gathering Supplies

This is going to be a busy project. To complete it you will need:

1. Paper
-5 or 6 sheets of regular printer paper, (20lb - 24lb weight) 8.5x11 or type A4, it doesnt metter we will be cutting it.
The paper can be colored, or you can paint it when we are done :D
2. paper glue.
-Elmer makes an amazing craft bond that you can get at any decent art store. if you cannot get any then regular white glue will work fine. Wood glue works very well too but the dry time will be much longer.
3. Cutting tools,
-if you have a paper cutter then you are in luck, otherwise an exacto knife and a ruler will work. I definately do not recommed using scissors for this.
OPTIONAL:
4. Spraypaint or Clearcoat

cookies_171 says: Oct 21, 2012. 1:09 AM

I loved this one! :D Take a look at my attempt.. the colouring didn't really go all that good. It's my second attempt at Modular Origami, the first one being a swan.

toezar00 says: Jun 29, 2012. 11:38 PM

holy crap

that is an awesome origami dragon.

and the best tutorial for one.

thank u very much for this.

u r a oragami master. :D

rasguitos says: Mar 6, 2012. 12:19 PM

Great instructable!!!!!!! tried it, and here is my model, I posted it on Deviantart:

http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=rasguitos#/d4s0m7w

origami-ak47 says: Nov 3, 2011. 7:33 PM

Nice job on the idea but for the neck how many units do ya use u didnt say and how did u paint blak and red without it lookin like the paint cans exploded

Nameramthgin (author) in reply to origami-ak47Jan 2, 2012. 12:53 PM

lol thats just a trick of the light. it is just a light coat of red paint, one is a half hearted manner. The color showing through makes it look black in this pick.
As for the number of units...... ummmmmmmm...... a bunch? yeah, that sounds about right. :D

Pr0pmaster says: Jan 2, 2012. 8:18 AM

cutting the papers is easy but when it comes to folding it is so hard but when assembling it all it was SO EASY!!!, by the way thanks for sharing this

vexangel says: Dec 8, 2011. 10:32 AM

This is actually a lot easier to make than it looks. It's not hard just time consuming. Folding all those papers takes a long time! By the time I was done my fingers hurt, but it was so worth it. Your an amazing person for thinking up something as cool as this! ^_^

(As soon as I paint mine I will get a picture posted.)

jglee1 says: Dec 4, 2011. 9:54 PM

omg 120 more how long did this take you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( :)

Jsquared24 in reply to jglee1Dec 6, 2011. 5:45 PM

For me it took about 10 hours to make all up

pstendahl says: Oct 6, 2011. 7:10 PM

You made a typo here saying: "stick on the clay unit. its that easy", nut did you mean to say claw unit?

Jsquared24 says: Sep 16, 2011. 12:05 AM

I am really going to attempt to make this! Good Job!!!!!!!

Nameramthgin (author) in reply to Jsquared24Sep 17, 2011. 10:43 PM

Good luck, if you have any questions i will try my best to answer them.

Jsquared24 in reply to NameramthginSep 18, 2011. 1:24 AM

Heres my finished attempt. I added some small wings on it. I ended up using 106 little rectangles, 3 sheets of paper, 5 hours and 100 ml of glue. I am also going to spray paint it gold when i get the chance and put eyes on it and maybe some fire coming out of its mouth.