Introduction: Pop-Up Pyramid
How to make a pyramid pop out of a plain piece of paper.
Step 1: Draw a Square With a Couple of Gaps
Step 2: Draw a Couple of Lines Next to the Square
Step 3: Repeat the Square and Line
Rectangles are OK, too.
Step 4: And Again
A couple more times should do it.
Step 5: Cut!
Bust out the razor and cut along the lines. Goes much faster if you do all the verticals first, and then do the horizontals.
Step 6: Pull!
Grab the center square and pull it out. Your plain piece of paper is now a funky bit of pop-up pyramidness.
Step 7: Get More Elaborate
If you have a serious case of OCD or a laser cutter you can take a simple idea to some ridiculous extremes.
Step 8: Change Direction
Instead of drawing squares and then lines, try drawing just squares with a 1/4 rotation in each successive square.
In other words, leave a gap on the right and left for the first, the top and bottom for the next, and back and forth and so on.
Step 9: Change Shapes
Here's an example of a circle design with a slight twist to it. It's too subtle to really see here, unfortunately.
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103 Comments
6 years ago on Introduction
hi
6 years ago on Introduction
jk
6 years ago on Introduction
would it turn out okay if you use a rectangle instead or would it turn out differently?
10 years ago on Introduction
These are a few of my trials... If you choose irregular gap widths and lengths between lines you will have a 3 dimensionaly self bending form while it is hung from apex.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Whoa, these look great.
Sorry about the late late comment. Haven't looked at this page in a while.
9 years ago on Step 9
This looks really fun, I think it could make some fun deco attaching them to ceilings. If I do end up giving it a try with my CraftRobo Pro, I'll post my cutlines...
10 years ago on Step 9
thinking about projection from the top on this. im making pyramid to test
10 years ago on Step 6
nice
11 years ago on Introduction
really cool!!! i did it ont he first try!!
13 years ago on Step 9
Are you using cheese!?!?! LOL
Reply 11 years ago on Step 9
Nope, .. . 'E's usin' COCONUTS!!!
Reply 12 years ago on Step 9
they aint using cheese! duh
11 years ago on Introduction
cool :)
13 years ago on Introduction
Here are my attempts :P mine seemed to just get wider as i drew the boxes lol
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Wow nice, looks great if you ask me.
14 years ago
I'm loving the fountain pen :) I like doing little tedious things like this to pass time in class, or at work, but unfortunately X-Acto blades are frowned upon at school. If there was a method to do this that didn't involve an x-acto blade, this would be really incredible :)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Well a teacher seeing you in class cutting paper with scissors OR an exacto would be a little worried. What i do is run a regular ball point pen along hte lines over and over again with lots of pressure untill it 'cuts' the paper it doesnt look as clean, but it works!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
When i'm bored in class I do this and it works. When using relatively thin lined filler paper, you only need to push down hard enough the first time and the paper will neatly split.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Newspaper is easier. *wink*
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
or bring a little razor blade to school and keep your jacket sleeve over your hand? or just use a pocket knife and tell your teacher its for self protection...