Card Modeling FAQ

If you have any interest in paper/card models, this FAQ should answer most of your questions. The forum in the previous post should provide answers to any other questions you may have. By the way, I have some photos of some of the projects I have completed in the past. Maybe they will inspire you! Look for them here in a day or two.

Card Model FAQ: http://www.cardfaq.org/faq/

The Zealot Forum

Just real quick, I wanted to point you to a great resource for links and help you in your modeling adventures. The Zealot Forums has a wonderfully helpful community, as well as links to software, patterns, .PDO and .PDF files, and a gallery of the members' creations. The Zealot Forum has a great community of informative, experienced, helpful people. Have fun with them!

Paper Model Design Software

I forgot to mention in my previous post, that you could design your own models. The premium choice among paper modellers is the Pepakura application that allows you to import a project in 3D from your favorite 3D design software, and creates an exploded view of the file, allowing the user to easily create printable parts for assembly. The Pepakura viewer is used to view .PDO files, the format used by the program, that others have created. To make your own, you need to purchase the Pepakura designer. Many, many .PDO files are available on the Web. Just search for .PDO and enjoy!

Pepakura Website

Paper Modelling - Inexpensive and Fun

A couple of years ago, I was going through some health problems that preventing me from working for almost two years. During that time, I had much free time at my disposal. One way to keep my mind occupied was to revisit some hobbies I had as a child. I had always enjoyed building models, but my budget prevented me from spending any money on the wonderful, detailed plastic and vinyl models that are available everywhere today.
Well, I had a computer, a printer, and internet access. Turns out, I had everything I needed to rekindle my love of model building. There are many, many free and cheap models to be had on the internet; all available for downloading. Simply download the pattern, print, and build!
The subjects range incredibly from simple cubic cariactures to highly detailed scale replicas of everything from buildings to spacecraft, cars, boats, aircraft and more. Only the most basic of tools are required: some white glue, scissors, and maybe a hobby knife for finer cuts. Some can be built in a hour, some may require months to complete. I promise, there is something for every taste. Holiday decorations, moving models, scale models, replicas of famous buildings, even scientific models for education.
While I took on this hobby as a cure for boredom, I gained a lot more; including techinical skills, trivia, construction techniques, history lessons, not to mention exercises in dexterity, as well as brain exercises in problem solving and mathmatics. Modelling is a rewarding and fruitful hobby that exercises the mind, the most important muscle of all. I would urge anyone reading this article to explore the world of paper modelling and enjoy all of its benefits.