Diagraming symbol question

[Gerardo]

Which of the following pleat fold diagrams (A, B, C, & D) are correct? Thanks

[orislater]

hmmm all of them and everyone will understand what it means no matter which one you choose? (:

[joshuaorigami]

Aren't they all pretty much the same? They're all correct.

[Washi]

They are the same and all are correct.

Unless my eyes are tricking me the only difference I can perceive is a very slight difference in thickness.

[Falcifer]

I think they are all as correct as each other. I don't know if either crease line needs to be thicker than the other, and the arrow doesn't need to be aligned with the creases.

Ultimately, I would say that as long as the intent is clear, then use any method you like. There doesn't seem to be any real consistency among diagrammers except for the use of the zig-zag arrow.

As far as I understand, the arrow isn't necessarily a direction itself, but purely a symbol that indicates what to do, and the shape of the arrow shows how the edges of the paper will look after being pleated. So, if the pleat is not so straight-forward, don't forget to indicate how the layers should look.

Personally, I would prefer A, only because the zig-zag is inside the crease lines, and is less likely to obscure the lines and also be obscured itself.
Also, make sure that you're consistent throughout your own diagrams.

[Joe the white]

I prefer A, but I think it'd be better if the zig-zag follows the folds, like this:

[Brimstone]

I prefer A, but I think it'd be better if the zig-zag follows the folds, like this:

I would have never thought there would be another 4 ways to draw that step, he he.

Joe is right.

[Gerardo]

It amazes me how sometimes when I don't get much feedback in the Spanish forum I do get it here, and vice versa ! Thanks guys, that has been really helpful!

I prefer A, but I think it'd be better if the zig-zag follows the folds...

That was gonna be my next question, how do I know if the arrow should go up or go down? You say it should follow the folds but doesn't that depend on the angle by which I'm looking at the piece of paper (top or bottom)?

Know what I mean ?

[Washi]

It doesn't matter at all actually. Look at A-D and Joe's picture and you'll notice they technically mean the same.

Of course whether the diagrammer does that, it's really their preference.

[Joe the white]

Thats true. It'd depend on the next step. Usually I fold from diagrams where it shows the layers at the top, so to me it makes sense that way. Such as this:

[Gerardo]

Thats true. It'd depend on the next step. Usually I fold from diagrams where it shows the layers at the top, so to me it makes sense that way.

Excellent answer! Thanks Joe .

Does anyone have a different opinion about my question? I would really like to know .

[origami_8]

I'd draw it like this:

[LeafPiece]

Everyone has their own way of doing things. As long as it makes sense and you're consistent within your own diagrams, I don't think you'll have any problems.

[Gerardo]

Thanks! I learned a lot from your feedback .

[ahudson]

I'd draw it like this:

Well, the zig-zag pleat arrow seems to be a combination of a normal fold arrow, and a side-view schematic like those we see in a multi-layer crimp. Makes me wonder, why don't we use this sort of modified arrow for the other situations as well? This would reduce the number of lines cluttering the page, although I'd worry about it being readable.

Or on the other hand, as Anna suggests, could we reduce this sort of operation to a simple arrow, and add on the zig-zag schematic only as required when the layer arrangement is not obvious? I think in the case of a simple pleat, more detail is entirely unnecessary. I'm not trying to suggest a universal policy, as I suspect it all boils down to what provides the most clarity in individual cases, but it's interesting to think about.