Carpathia
Sr Member
As many of you may have noticed, the “Help! for Papercraft and Pepakura sticky was getting a little out of hand. The same questions were being asked over and over, but it was far too unreasonable to sift through the hundreds of pages looking for the answer. So, I sifted through the thousands of posts, looking for the most frequently asked questions. This thread will be that Help! thread’s replacement.
As this is an FAQ thread, every single question ever asked may not be covered. If you have a question, read through the FAQs first. If your question is not answered, then you can submit a post asking that question. When someone answers your question (and anybody can answer), the answer will be edited into the question post by a moderator and all subsequent answers/comments will be deleted. This is part of an effort to keep this thread clean and easy to read over. As such, periodically, the questions asked in later posts will be added to the FAQ section, and the posts themselves deleted.
To make it a little easier to locate a particular FAQ, I’ve broken this thread down into sections: Getting Started, Using Pepakura, Scaling and Building a Pepakura Project (more categories may be added later). Determine which category your question falls into and look in that section. Since there is a 10,000 character limit per post, the first 5 posts have been reserved for FAQ expansion.
If you have a question that someone has already posted, but has not been answered, do not post an “I’m wondering that, too” post; simply wait for the question to be answered.
Now, onto the FAQs; there are a lot of them, but this is a complex hobby. Read them (one hint, use Ctrl+F to find a particular word to make your search easier).
Getting Started
How does Pepakura work?
Pepakura takes the geometry of a computer-generated 3D model, and breaks it down into a series of flat shapes that can be printed onto a piece of paper, cut out, folded and glued together so you can create a physical model of that computer-generated model.
Where do I get the Pepakura program?
http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/
Are the files for Pepakura Designer the same as Pepakura Viewer?
Yes. All files opened with Designer and Viewer are .PDO files.
Where can I find Halo/Ironman/etc. files for Pepakura?
http://www.4shared.com/folder/CCB_6QwQ/405th_Pepakura_Database.html
When I try to download anything from the 4shared website, I get a pop-up asking me to log in; why won’t anything download?
4shared requires you to have an account in order to download anything. It’s free.
What kind of paper do I use?
110 lb cardstock (200g/m²) is the most common type. Heavier paper will have a hard time feeding through a printer, and lighter paper will create flimsy models. You can find cardstock and most office supply stores, as well as big box stores like Walmart.
I only have XX amount of days/weeks/months before I need to have a full suit finished; do I have enough time?
Deadlines are commendable, but if you only have a few months to create an entire suit, reconsider. It’s a good idea to allot yourself at least a month for each piece or pair of pieces you wish to build. A full suit of Mjolnir armor can easily take a year or more to complete.
I want to build something other than Halo/Ironman/Gears of War, etc and cannot find a file; can someone design a helmet/armor piece for me?
Make this request in the Pepakura Requests Thread
http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/13671-Pepakura-Requests
I want to build a suit of Halo armor for airsoft/paintball; can I?
This type of armor is intended for costume use only. It is not safety equipment. As such, the discussion of armor with the intention of using it for airsoft/paintball, or for use in extreme and unusual conditions where safety is paramount, is not allowed in the forums.
Using Pepakura
I use a Mac, not a PC; can I still use Pepakura?
Normally, no. Pepakura is a Windows-based program, so it will not work on a Mac unless you have a way to run a Windows operating system (via Bootcamp or some other method).
I downloaded Pepakura Designer, but I can’t save or export anything. Why not?
In order to save or export anything from Designer, an activation key must be purchased from the Tamasoft website.
I have found one side of a piece of armor (thigh, shoulder, forearm, etc) but when I open the file for the other side, it’s the same as the first piece; where’s the other side?
To save time, modelers typically design and unfold only one side of a pair of armor pieces. To get the other side, all they do is use the “Mirror Pattern” command. In older versions of Pepakura, this would only invert the 2D window items. The late 2013 update of Designer changed so the 3D window is inverted as well. Pay particular attention to the parts in the 2D window, and make sure that they are indeed inverted.
Pepakura is in millimeters! What if all I know is inches and feet?
1” = 25.4mm
I found a Pepakura model of something I’d like to build, but it’s not unfolded; how do I unfold?
Unfolding can be a daunting task, depending on the complexity of the model. Take a look at these two Youtube tutorials…
I’m using a file that has something labeled “Floating Faces”; what are those?
Floating faces are parts that are added later as a detail piece. Usually, these parts are traced onto a thicker material like mat board, styrene or craft foam (depending on the intended thickness of the detail), then attached after the smoothing/bondo process.
What is a sliced model?
A sliced model is a series of floating faces that are meant to build up the basic shape of a piece (usually a weapon) and be further detailed with body filler later. The thickness of each floating face in a sliced model may vary from model to model.
Is there a way I can measure from one point to another in the program before I print it out; like the opening to a helmet?
Yes. If you right click in the 2D window, select the “Measure Distance between Two Points” command. Then, in the 3D window, click the two points you’d like to measure to and from. A window will pop up showing the coordinates of the two points as well as the distance between them.
Pepakura is not printing lines/tab numbers/etc.; what do I do?
Under “Settings” click “Print and Paper Settings”
Leave the default the way it’s been working for you, but select:
“Print Lines Smoothly (Bitmap print)”; and
“Transparency” to 0%.
Updating your copy of Pepakura Designer to the latest update should clear this problem up, as this was a common problem with an older update.
When I open a Pepakura file and look at the 2D window, there are no tab numbers; will it automatically print those numbers, or do I have to add them?
Pepakura will not automatically print the numbers if they are turned off. Make sure that the “Show Edge ID” option under the 2D Menu tab is checked.
When I try to print using Pepakura Designer or Viewer, a window pops up telling me that the size of the paper specified by Pepakura is not the same as the Printer setting; what do I do?
This means that the size of the paper that is specified in the “Printer and Paper Settings” under the File tab do not match the paper size or orientation specified in the print settings. Ensure that everything matches up.
What does it mean when Pepakura asks for a password to open the file?
It means that the model you are trying to open has been password-protected by the creator. Most of the time, it will allow you to open the file without the password, but will automatically try to open with Pepakura Viewer, preventing you from editing the model in any way (including scaling). Contact the model’s creator if possible to get the password.
Is it possible to rearrange parts in the 3D window of Pepakura Designer?
No. In order to edit or change the 3D model, it must be exported to a 3D modeling program.
When I open/unfold a model, the tabs are pretty large/tiny, is there a way to resize the tabs?
Yes. Using the “Edit Flaps” command, you can change which piece the tab sits, or change the size or angle of the tabs.
There is a tiny piece that has small tabs and all the edge ID numbers are bunched up so I can’t read them; is there a way to separate them so I can read them on a small piece?
Nope, just do your best to figure out how the piece folds.
Can I export the file to a PDF?
Yes. Print as a PDF if you have the capability. If not, you can download CutePDF, a free PDF printer.
I’ve seen solid colored lines being used for mountain and valley folds instead of the dashed lines; how do I do this?
Click on the “Settings” tab, then select “Other Settings.” In the window that pops up, you can reassign the linetypes to solid. Then close that window. Click on the icon at the top that looks like three colored pencils (red, blue and green). Check the box corresponding to which line you’d like to change, and the color you’d like to change it to. Then, in the 2D window, click and drag a box over everything. You will notice that the folds you wish to change will highlight. The color will be applied when you release. Repeat for the other fold(s).
As this is an FAQ thread, every single question ever asked may not be covered. If you have a question, read through the FAQs first. If your question is not answered, then you can submit a post asking that question. When someone answers your question (and anybody can answer), the answer will be edited into the question post by a moderator and all subsequent answers/comments will be deleted. This is part of an effort to keep this thread clean and easy to read over. As such, periodically, the questions asked in later posts will be added to the FAQ section, and the posts themselves deleted.
To make it a little easier to locate a particular FAQ, I’ve broken this thread down into sections: Getting Started, Using Pepakura, Scaling and Building a Pepakura Project (more categories may be added later). Determine which category your question falls into and look in that section. Since there is a 10,000 character limit per post, the first 5 posts have been reserved for FAQ expansion.
If you have a question that someone has already posted, but has not been answered, do not post an “I’m wondering that, too” post; simply wait for the question to be answered.
Now, onto the FAQs; there are a lot of them, but this is a complex hobby. Read them (one hint, use Ctrl+F to find a particular word to make your search easier).
Getting Started
How does Pepakura work?
Pepakura takes the geometry of a computer-generated 3D model, and breaks it down into a series of flat shapes that can be printed onto a piece of paper, cut out, folded and glued together so you can create a physical model of that computer-generated model.
Where do I get the Pepakura program?
http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/
Are the files for Pepakura Designer the same as Pepakura Viewer?
Yes. All files opened with Designer and Viewer are .PDO files.
Where can I find Halo/Ironman/etc. files for Pepakura?
http://www.4shared.com/folder/CCB_6QwQ/405th_Pepakura_Database.html
When I try to download anything from the 4shared website, I get a pop-up asking me to log in; why won’t anything download?
4shared requires you to have an account in order to download anything. It’s free.
What kind of paper do I use?
110 lb cardstock (200g/m²) is the most common type. Heavier paper will have a hard time feeding through a printer, and lighter paper will create flimsy models. You can find cardstock and most office supply stores, as well as big box stores like Walmart.
I only have XX amount of days/weeks/months before I need to have a full suit finished; do I have enough time?
Deadlines are commendable, but if you only have a few months to create an entire suit, reconsider. It’s a good idea to allot yourself at least a month for each piece or pair of pieces you wish to build. A full suit of Mjolnir armor can easily take a year or more to complete.
I want to build something other than Halo/Ironman/Gears of War, etc and cannot find a file; can someone design a helmet/armor piece for me?
Make this request in the Pepakura Requests Thread
http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/13671-Pepakura-Requests
I want to build a suit of Halo armor for airsoft/paintball; can I?
This type of armor is intended for costume use only. It is not safety equipment. As such, the discussion of armor with the intention of using it for airsoft/paintball, or for use in extreme and unusual conditions where safety is paramount, is not allowed in the forums.
Using Pepakura
I use a Mac, not a PC; can I still use Pepakura?
Normally, no. Pepakura is a Windows-based program, so it will not work on a Mac unless you have a way to run a Windows operating system (via Bootcamp or some other method).
I downloaded Pepakura Designer, but I can’t save or export anything. Why not?
In order to save or export anything from Designer, an activation key must be purchased from the Tamasoft website.
I have found one side of a piece of armor (thigh, shoulder, forearm, etc) but when I open the file for the other side, it’s the same as the first piece; where’s the other side?
To save time, modelers typically design and unfold only one side of a pair of armor pieces. To get the other side, all they do is use the “Mirror Pattern” command. In older versions of Pepakura, this would only invert the 2D window items. The late 2013 update of Designer changed so the 3D window is inverted as well. Pay particular attention to the parts in the 2D window, and make sure that they are indeed inverted.
Pepakura is in millimeters! What if all I know is inches and feet?
1” = 25.4mm
I found a Pepakura model of something I’d like to build, but it’s not unfolded; how do I unfold?
Unfolding can be a daunting task, depending on the complexity of the model. Take a look at these two Youtube tutorials…
I’m using a file that has something labeled “Floating Faces”; what are those?
Floating faces are parts that are added later as a detail piece. Usually, these parts are traced onto a thicker material like mat board, styrene or craft foam (depending on the intended thickness of the detail), then attached after the smoothing/bondo process.
What is a sliced model?
A sliced model is a series of floating faces that are meant to build up the basic shape of a piece (usually a weapon) and be further detailed with body filler later. The thickness of each floating face in a sliced model may vary from model to model.
Is there a way I can measure from one point to another in the program before I print it out; like the opening to a helmet?
Yes. If you right click in the 2D window, select the “Measure Distance between Two Points” command. Then, in the 3D window, click the two points you’d like to measure to and from. A window will pop up showing the coordinates of the two points as well as the distance between them.
Pepakura is not printing lines/tab numbers/etc.; what do I do?
Under “Settings” click “Print and Paper Settings”
Leave the default the way it’s been working for you, but select:
“Print Lines Smoothly (Bitmap print)”; and
“Transparency” to 0%.
Updating your copy of Pepakura Designer to the latest update should clear this problem up, as this was a common problem with an older update.
When I open a Pepakura file and look at the 2D window, there are no tab numbers; will it automatically print those numbers, or do I have to add them?
Pepakura will not automatically print the numbers if they are turned off. Make sure that the “Show Edge ID” option under the 2D Menu tab is checked.
When I try to print using Pepakura Designer or Viewer, a window pops up telling me that the size of the paper specified by Pepakura is not the same as the Printer setting; what do I do?
This means that the size of the paper that is specified in the “Printer and Paper Settings” under the File tab do not match the paper size or orientation specified in the print settings. Ensure that everything matches up.
What does it mean when Pepakura asks for a password to open the file?
It means that the model you are trying to open has been password-protected by the creator. Most of the time, it will allow you to open the file without the password, but will automatically try to open with Pepakura Viewer, preventing you from editing the model in any way (including scaling). Contact the model’s creator if possible to get the password.
Is it possible to rearrange parts in the 3D window of Pepakura Designer?
No. In order to edit or change the 3D model, it must be exported to a 3D modeling program.
When I open/unfold a model, the tabs are pretty large/tiny, is there a way to resize the tabs?
Yes. Using the “Edit Flaps” command, you can change which piece the tab sits, or change the size or angle of the tabs.
There is a tiny piece that has small tabs and all the edge ID numbers are bunched up so I can’t read them; is there a way to separate them so I can read them on a small piece?
Nope, just do your best to figure out how the piece folds.
Can I export the file to a PDF?
Yes. Print as a PDF if you have the capability. If not, you can download CutePDF, a free PDF printer.
I’ve seen solid colored lines being used for mountain and valley folds instead of the dashed lines; how do I do this?
Click on the “Settings” tab, then select “Other Settings.” In the window that pops up, you can reassign the linetypes to solid. Then close that window. Click on the icon at the top that looks like three colored pencils (red, blue and green). Check the box corresponding to which line you’d like to change, and the color you’d like to change it to. Then, in the 2D window, click and drag a box over everything. You will notice that the folds you wish to change will highlight. The color will be applied when you release. Repeat for the other fold(s).
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