Paper Models of Polyhedra Paper Models of Polyhedra  
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Construction advises
for paper models of polyhedra.

 Print the models normal or heavy paper. 80 to 120 gram/m2.

 Cut the outer lines with a sharp hobby knife.

 Use for scoring the other lines a dull knife, the back of the hobby knife or use a knife with very little pressure.

 In most cases fold all lines backwards (mountain folding).

 The best order of construction is to glue the faces without tabs last.

 Spread a thin layer of glue on the tabs. A wooden toothpick can be very useful for spreading the glue

 When closing the polyhedron it can be helpful to use the toothpick or a needle to give pressure from inside the polyhedron.

 For the most complex models it's advisable to make a copy on larger paper (A3)

  To examine the virtual polyhedra you need a VRML-viewer. For example  Cortona VRML Client.

If you like to make a drawing on the polyhedron or color it. You can better cut and fold it before. After folding it unfolds it and folds it again when finished with your drawing.

PDF files

  The PDF versions are of high quality. Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDF files (free). Prints of the PDF version have sharper lines so you can cut more accurately.

  Downloading the PDF version can take some time. It may seems nothing happens. Acrobat Reader starts up and the PDF file is downloaded.

  To save the PDF-files on your computer use the right mouse button and select 'Save target as'.

Polyhedra made out of a number of parts:
1. Start with part A and glue part B on the tab(s) of part A with the letter B.
2. Glue part C on the parts A and B on the tab(s) with the letter C.
3. Glue part D on the parts A, B and C on the tab(s) with the letter D.
Etc. etc. etc. 

- On some models numbers instead of letters are used.

Examples with pictures:
- instructions for the Compound of Four Cubes (numbers)
- instructions for the Compound of Five Octahedra (letters)
- instructions for the Great Dodecahedron (differs from the other two examples)

Glue, hobby knife, needle, toothpick and ruler


Hobby knife


Cutting the outer lines


Scoring the other lines with the back of the hobby knife

Folding all lines


The folded model

And now glue..

The completed model

Instructions for the Compound of Four Cubes:

Compound of four cubes
1a. Cut the parts
1b. Write the numbers of the parts on the back of the parts

2. Score the inner lines
3. Fold the doted lines forwards (valley fold) and fold the other lines backwards (mountain fold)
4. Glue the parts (tab without number)

5. Glue part 2 on the tab of part 1 with the number 2.

6. Go on with the parts 1 and 2. Glue part 3 on the tab with the number 3

large picture

7. Go on with the parts 1, 2 and 3. Glue part 4 on the tabs with the numbers 4.

large picture

8. Go on with the parts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Glue part 5 on the tabs with the numbers 5.

large picture

9. Go on with the parts 1, 2, 3, 4 en 5. Glue part 6 on the tabs with the number 6

Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

Instructions for the Compound of Five Octahedra:

Compound of five octahedra

 
1a. Cut the parts
1b. Write the letters of the parts on the back of the parts

(click on the pictures to show a larger picture)

2. Score the inner lines
3. Fold the doted lines forwards (valley fold) and fold the other lines backwards (mountain fold)
4. Glue the parts (tab without letter)


5. Glue part B on the tab of part A with the letter B.


6. Go on with the parts A and B. Glue part C on the tabs with the letter C

 

7. Go on with the parts A, B and C. Glue part D on the tab(s) with the letter D.

Etc. Etc. Etc.
(After the capital Z go on with small letters a, b, c and d)

 

Instructions for the Great Dodecahedron (version made out of 6 parts):

Paper Model Great Dodecahedron
1a. Cut the parts
1b. Write the letters of the parts on the back of the parts
1c. Write the letters alongside the outer lines at the back of the parts near the line


(click on the pictures to show a larger picture)

2. Score the inner lines
3. Fold the doted lines forwards (valley fold) and fold the other lines backwards (mountain fold)
4. Glue the parts


5. Glue the side with the letter A of part B on the tab of part A with the letter B.


6. Go on with the parts A and B. Glue the side with the letter A of part C on the tab with the letter C

 

7. Go on with the parts A, B and C. Glue the side with the letter A of part D on the tab with the letter D.

Etc. Etc.
 

 


Paper Models of Polyhedra
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