How to Use Pepakura Designer
An overview of the process for making paper craft models from 3D data with Pepakura Designer.
Click the items to see details.
Click the items to see details.
Make 3D data (with other 3DCG software)
Import the 3D data to Pepakura Designer
Unfold it (by just pressing a button)
Edit the unfolded pattern
Print out the pattern
Import the 3D data to Pepakura Designer
Unfold it (by just pressing a button)
Edit the unfolded pattern
Print out the pattern
1. Make 3D data
Pepakura Designer does not have features required to design 3D data.
The 3D data of the model you want to create has to be prepared before using Pepakura Designer.
Pepakura Designer supports common 3DCG file formats, including OBJ, 3DS, and STL. You can use your favorite 3DCG software.
The most recommended 3DCG software is Metasequoia. You can use it for 3D model design at no charge. Pepakura Designer is highly compatible with Metasequoia's file format.
The 3D data of the model you want to create has to be prepared before using Pepakura Designer.
Pepakura Designer supports common 3DCG file formats, including OBJ, 3DS, and STL. You can use your favorite 3DCG software.
The most recommended 3DCG software is Metasequoia. You can use it for 3D model design at no charge. Pepakura Designer is highly compatible with Metasequoia's file format.
2. Import 3D data to Pepakura Designer
Select to import 3D data to Pepakura Designer.
The imported 3D model will appear in the left . The view is changed with the following mouse operations.
To cut along certian edges when unfolds, click on the edges in the editing mode .
Orange edges are specified as to be cut.
Nearly flat edges are not shown initially. To show them, uncheck the option .
The imported 3D model will appear in the left . The view is changed with the following mouse operations.
| Rotation | Right Drag |
|---|---|
| Translation | Wheel Drag or [Ctrl] + Right Drag |
| Zoom | Wheel or [Shift] + Right Drag |
To cut along certian edges when unfolds, click on the edges in the editing mode .
Orange edges are specified as to be cut.
Nearly flat edges are not shown initially. To show them, uncheck the option .
3. Unfold
Press the button to generate the unfolded patterns.
The size of the patterns can also be specified if you uncheck the checkbox next to the unfold button before the unfolding.
The size of the patterns can also be specified if you uncheck the checkbox next to the unfold button before the unfolding.
4. Edit the unfolded pattern
You can edit the layout of the unfolded pattern as well as connecting/disconnecting parts and change the width of flaps (tabs).
The editing mode is changed through .
The view of the 2D window is changed with following mouse operations.
When is pressed, clicked edges would be hidden.
Clicking on an edge switches the location of flaps when mode is selected.
Clicking on a flap changes its shape as specified in the dialog when mode is selected.
The editing mode is changed through .
The view of the 2D window is changed with following mouse operations.
| Translation | Right Drag or Wheel Drag |
|---|---|
| Zoom | Wheel or [Shift] + Right Drag |
4.1 Translations and Rotations of Parts ( mode)
A left mouse click-and-drag moves the selected parts. To select multiple parts at the same time, you can either hold down the [Shift] key and click the parts, or draw a rectangle to enclose the parts within it by a left mouse click-and-drag. Dragging a green point at the top of a part rotates the part.4.2 Connecting and Disconnecting Parts ( mode)
To join two parts together at a certain edge, click on the edge. The direction of which part will be moved to glue to the other one is indicated by an arrow. It changes as the mouse cursor moves on the screen. Click anywhere to join the parts.4.3 Change the color or visibility of lines ( mode)
To change edge colors, select the color, then click on the edges one by one. You can use a left mouse click-and-drag to select multiple edges and color them at a time).When is pressed, clicked edges would be hidden.
4.4 Edit Flaps (Tabs) ( mode)
There are two sub-modes, and .Clicking on an edge switches the location of flaps when mode is selected.
Clicking on a flap changes its shape as specified in the dialog when mode is selected.
5. Printout
Printout the unfolded pattern through .
The settings of the sheet size and the line thickness can be changed through .
Check to make offsets of the boundaries. This feature may be helpful to assemble nice-looking models.
The effect of [Add Outline Padding] option.
The settings of the sheet size and the line thickness can be changed through .
Check to make offsets of the boundaries. This feature may be helpful to assemble nice-looking models.
The effect of [Add Outline Padding] option.