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.
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 use this VRML-viewer you also need the VRML 1.0
converter
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 pieces:
Start with piece A (or 1) and glue part B (or 2) on the tabs of part A (or 1)
with the letter B (or the number 2). Then glue part C on the part A and B etc.

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

Paper Models of Polyhedra
For questions or remarks
email