3-D Object Design: Papercraft Objects: First Prototype

This week we were tasked with continuing to develop our digital objects into real life three-dimensional paper cut shapes. Firstly, we had to flatten our digital shapes in Rhinoceros 5 by “exploding” our objects, exploding is a function in Rhinoceros 5 that turns a shape into multiple parts instead of one solid form. Then we had to rotate all of those separate parts so that they were flat to the working surface so we could have a template of our shape in a one-dimensional shape. We then took our one-dimensional shape into Adobe Illustrator where we outlined our shape, added dashed line to indicate where on the shape needed to be folded and finally we created small tabs around the shape to allow us to tape the shape together by using these small tabs. Finally, we printed off our shapes onto cardstock paper and then cut and taped our shapes into their three-dimensional forms.

We had to choose one of our original shapes from our Digital Sample project, I chose to further develop my 7^th shape. To view my initial objects please refer to my earlier post titled “Papercraft Objects: Digital Samples.” I was able to finish cutting and taping my shape relatively quickly so my professor, Bryan Cera, inquired me about what inspired the creation of my shape. I told him I was influenced by the shape and form of an urchin that has lost all of its protective spines. Upon discussing this with him more he asked if they had legs, they in fact do, although they are very small. I then became inspired to give my abstract sea urchin some legs, this can be viewed in the images below. Although the projects outline was to create shapes using strictly paper I found that the paper legs were not strong enough to hold my object upright, I ended up using small paperclips to reinforce the legs as subtly as possible. To see the reinforced legs, view the images below.

I found this project to be extremely interesting as it has taught me how an object I’ve made on Rhinoceros 5 can quickly become a real life object. I look forward to working in these medium again in the future.

Lastly, this project and the images below are only a prototype. The final finished project will be uploaded in around a week’s time, look forward to it.

Reference of what a sea urchin without its protective spines looks like: