File :-(, x, )
Newbie
Hello, /po/.

I've recently gained interest in papercraft and I will very soon start constructing some of my own.
But before that, I was wondering if you guys could give me some tips?

What to do/what not to do?

Also, I was wondering: i have a Hp Deskjet 3500 series printer, would that be decent enough? Also, do you guys even use printers?

I'm new to this thing so, thanks in advance.

inb4newfag
>> Anonymous
/po/ is more than one page, but...

First, watch the http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/howto/index.html tutorial.

Copy paper works fine, but for large models, or ones you want to last forever, light cardstock is recommended. If you use cardstock, be careful with your edgework, or get a bunch of colored pencils or felt-tip markers to clean up the white edges that will show up if you're not. Touch up the edges BEFORE BUILDING THE MODEL; once you build it, it's hard to reach, even with fine-tipped markers, and you're just as likely to get ink on a spot you DON'T want it to be!

You don't need a special printer for papercraft.

Good, sharp scissors for cutting out the pieces. Also a razor knife (X-Acto, etc) for cutting out interior cuts or getting at areas you don't want to use scissors in. Get a self-healing cutting mat.

Glue... as the tutorial says, use VERY SPARINGLY. There are craft glues made for papercraft, but Elmer's White Glue works. I like Aleene's Tacky Glue; you can use very little, and it dries quickly. Clean your fingers if you get ANY glue on them - the tiniest amount can make a stain that you can't ignore.

A metal straight-edged ruler is good for helping you make straight folds; moreso an embossing tool (or using an empty ball-point pen, empty mechanical pencil, etc); pre-scoring the fold lines will help the models come together.

Unfold a paperclip; sometimes you need to reach inside a model to close or secure a flap where fingers can't reach.

For opening .pdo files, Google "Pepakura Viewer". Want to try to make models? Get "Pepakura Designer", lurk or search for a serial (or pay for one), and hit F1 in it to find a list of programs that it can read 3-d model data from.

For starters, head over to http://cp.c-ij.com/english/3D-papercraft/index.html -- the models there range from easy to crazy, but the instructions are clear and precise. Search for more models of your liking on Google or /rs/.
>> Newbie
>>114065
I'm very grateful, kind sir.

Also, while we're on it, would Glue Sticks do the same type of work as regular liquid white glue?

I have both, but T'm just wondering.
>> Anonymous
Do not use gluesticks. Overall, they're just not effective. Watch the tutorial; it shows how to apply glue well. I use my fingertips and wash the excess off just to have more control... the trick is using hardly any glue, and then making the joins, and that just doesn't happen with gluesticks.
>> Anonymous
When applying glue, I use very little. I use a safety pin, dip the point in a small pool of glue that I squeezed onto a little piece of paper (most likely from excess paper from cutting out the pieces for papercraft XD)
>> Anonymous
>>114068
I apply the glue directly from the bottle, then I use a piece of wood to make it even.
>> Newbie
>>114068
I see.

Okay, well thanks to everyone, I suppose.

I guess I'll go shopping for supplies early tomorrow.

Where do you guys recommend I get these tools?
The only places around here are Target, Office Depot and a few 99 cent shops.

Also, there's a K-Mart and there's also a mall around here that MIGHT have some sort of craft store. I'm willing to go the extra mile for specific shops if they have the right tools for the job.
>> TSONTS !!u7H15vJR6mX
>>114073
Let's narrow it down to "Things you'll absolutely need".
You can work with the paper and printer you have now. If you have a good pair of scissors, that's set. You don't need the self healing mat; cut on top of a piece of cardboard or something so you don't damage your table, but get an X-Acto knife, number 11 blades. Another razor knife will substitute well; it's only for interior cuts or cuts you just don't trust scissors for. If you pick a model without interior cuts, you can skip the knife for now.

Snag a bottle of Aleene's Tacky Glue if you see it, otherwise, your white glue will do for now.

Use a book or anything else that doesn't bend to help you make straight folds, and score the fold lines with any alternative means.

So... your checklist is... nothing. You have what you need to start at home right now :)

I didn't have any of the special tools when I started, either.
>> Anonymous
lurk moar
10% of the fucking threads on /po/ are newfags like yourself asking how to do shit
>> Newbie
>>114081
I see.

To tell you the truth, my current supplies won't quite do the job as the new ones I'll set out to buy tomorrow.

I do have about 5/6 of the supplies I need.
But the x-acto knife - Where do I get one? How much do they general cost? You CAN use scissors instead, right?
>> Newbie
>>114084
10%?

That's a rather small-percentage.

What's the problem? Is asking for tips all-that-taboo-nowadays?
>> only 5 ppc but this stuff helps i promice zer0
My setup:
Xacto
strong wooden toothpicks
elmers
metal ruler with very good edge that really stays on the paper
a self healing mat helps because cardboard will often get your knife going in a direction you don't want it to also... if you have it keeps tiny strips of paper from sticking into the cuts
I use the tooth pick for super small surfaces and my finger for everything else if you use it sparingly enough it will dry on your finger before it you do your next glue

one tip: for objects that have two sides fold them first then cut

two tip: very very very little glue.. you shouldn't see anything but a fine gloss just enough to let the paper slide if you get it wrong when first placing

three tip: if the seam of two pieces will be visible glue at the dotted line so the seam is tight.. if not .. glue at the tip of a flap.. if you really want to go all out.. smear the very very thin layer on every part of the flap that will be covered.
>> zer0
p,s
xacto is cheap and the razors for it cheap too... any craft store.. and for good ppc scissors just wont do
>> Newbie
>>114087
Alright, got it.

I suppose I'm almost all set now...
One last thing:

Any templates you guys have recommend I do?
I'll try anything difficult. I can work with trials 'n' errors.
>> TSONTS !!u7H15vJR6mX
>>114085
They're cheap; you can get the knife and blades for a couple of bucks. Or any other razor blade knife. Not every model needs them, if you have a pair of trusty scissors. I have a pair of Korean scissors that I hope I never have to replace; it's like cutting with a razor knife in scissor form.

I've seen X-Acto knives in Target, Wal-Mart, craft stores... you shouldn't have trouble finding one. If you ask a shopkeeper for a "X-Acto" or an "Exact-O" knife, they'll know what you're talking about. Hopefully.
>> Newbie
>>114090
Aparently, there's a Staples around here that I never even knew about.

They the X-Actos and Self-Healing mats.
I'll try and find it tomorrow.
>> Newbie
>>114092
Oh, scrap that!

Just did a product search for X-acto knifes at Office Depot, they have a few - Glad I caught that, the stores only a mile from here.
>> Anonymous
i tried using a straight edge to make creases but i found that a fine point tweezer for small areas( glue tabs for example) and wide tweezers for large creases works great for me.
also maybe i just haven't ever had a good enough scissors but i only cut with razor blades, the one edge straight kind used in utility knives. i like because you can get a pack of 50 for $3.
>> zer0
lol... for folding i actually use my e-xacto to score it though sometimes i accidentally cut pieces off.. at least i did when i first did it. but now i get really really exact corners
>> Anonymous
>>114065
wow very helpful. im semi-new to /po/ and that was very informative!