How to Use Pepakura Designer
Process overview: The process for making paper craft models from 3D data with Pepakura Designer is shown below.
Click a step and see details.
Click a step and 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.
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.
A recommended 3DCG software is Metasequoia. You can use it for 3D model design at no charge. Pepakura Designer reads Metasequoia file with high compatibility.
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.
A recommended 3DCG software is Metasequoia. You can use it for 3D model design at no charge. Pepakura Designer reads Metasequoia file with high compatibility.
2. Import 3D data to Pepakura Designer
Select , and import 3D data to Pepakura Designer.
The imported 3D model is shown in the left . The view is changed with the following mouse operations.
You can specify the edges to be cut when Pepakura Designer unfolds the model by clicking them when the editing mode is set .
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 is shown 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 |
You can specify the edges to be cut when Pepakura Designer unfolds the model by clicking them when the editing mode is set .
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.
This causes the unfolded pattern to be generated.
You can specify the size by unchecking the checkbox next to the unfold button before unfolding.
This causes the unfolded pattern to be generated.
You can specify the size by unchecking the checkbox next to the unfold button before 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.
To connect two parts, click an edge, and then click once more to specify the direction of connection. The part away from mouse cursor is moved toward another part as indicated by a red arrow.
Clicked edges are hidden if the is selected.
Clicking an edge switches the location of flaps when mode is selected.
Clicking 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 Translation and Rotation of Parts ( mode)
Selected parts are moved by left mouse drag. Multiple parts are selected by left clicking while pressing [Shift] key, or by drawing a rectangle with left mouse drag. Dragging a green point above a part rotates the part.4.2 Connecting and Disconnecting Parts ( mode)
Clicking an edge separates the part at that edge.To connect two parts, click an edge, and then click once more to specify the direction of connection. The part away from mouse cursor is moved toward another part as indicated by a red arrow.
4.3 Change the color or visibility of lines ( mode)
Select a color, and then paint edges by clicking them one by one (or selects multiple edges at one time by drawing a rectangle).Clicked edges are hidden if the is selected.
4.4 Edit Flaps (Tabs) ( mode)
There are two sub-modes, and .Clicking an edge switches the location of flaps when mode is selected.
Clicking a flap changes its shape as specified in the dialog when mode is selected.
5. Printout
Printout the unfolded pattern through .
Sheet size and line thickness settings are changed through .
Checking paints offset of parts. This feature helps you to assemble nice looking model.
The effect of [Add Outline Padding] option.
Sheet size and line thickness settings are changed through .
Checking paints offset of parts. This feature helps you to assemble nice looking model.
The effect of [Add Outline Padding] option.