BiggTony

Hey guys,

I ran across this site today that was very facinating and insperational. These guys were creating replica movie/game armor and guns using.........PAPER! It's called Pepakura.
Now paper models have been around for as long as I can remember. Even detailed paper model tanks. But, I've never seen or even thought of the posibility to prototype using paper, nevertheless knew there was a program that would assist with it.

Now how does this apply to tanks, you ask? Well, it doesn't right now. But, imagine being able to borrow the techniques they've used and apply it to our hobby. It would appear the only restrictions would be tracks. But, type of tank and scale would be limitless. You want that Elefant tank? Have at it! You don't need CNC's, lathes, mills, etc. Just paper, resin, fiberglass and/or body filler and what ever hand tools needed for the smoothing process.

BUT, the catch is either building the polygon model yourself (with the software linked to below) or finding a 3d file of the tank desired.

Anyway, here's the link to the software.http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/
This allows you to build your own 3d model or upload it. Then it will process it for 2 demensional folding.
Here's the site I stumbled on.http://www.405th.com/forum.php
Here's one link of many on youtube. This is just a guy who is raving about the program and created a helmet for his son.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEX5n6iE2II

BiggTony

Well, I found a site that has loads of 3d models but most of them have a cost of 35 bucks. But, I did find the Abrams for free. So if you're wanting to fiddle around with the free version Pepakura software, at least you have a wire model to mess around with. Only downside is being able to edit it with the free version. With the M1 Abrams .3ds file, you get everything down to the lug nuts. So, I suppose I'll have to break down and pay the 38 bucks for the actual designer program that will let me edit this model.

SgtPearce

o ya, check you 405th.com its a halo site, or more over a fiction site, but its focus is on this sort of thing. its really amaizing, im having an entire ODSTsuit made for my self using this style.

BiggTony

Yeah, that's the site I stumbled on (which is linked to in my opening post.) I already purchased the software, so I'm going to experiement a bit. Seems the key is to reduce as much curvatures at smaller scales as possible, but not much of an issue at larger scales. So, I'm going to experiment with a Maus or something larger.

diabolic-mind

this is expensive but would work great with the paper as a base. it would be extremely strong aswell

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C...20kits&cad=rja