The Origami Forum

As with any fold the more you do it, the better you become at it (squash folds come to mind). I am having a problem with a fold, or an unfold to be exact, and wonder if any of the more advanced folders have a suggestion on how to handle it.

In the Complete Origami book by Lang he uses a modified bird base for several models IE elephant and eagle. At one point you are supposed to pull the bottom of the point out, unfolding the paper underneath, and it is supposed to lay flat. You end up with a shape that would look like a square with a triangle on the top and bottom (its very hard to describe folds in words). I've only been able to complete it once without tearing the paper where it should unfold. Any suggestions how to accomplish this consistently without tearing the paper?

Looks like the move in question is a stretched bird base. I just googled it and found a diagram for the move here: http://www.spitenet.com/origami/pdf/Str ... rdBase.pdf

Probably better than any explanation that I can give. Another tip though, on models where you are told to pull or release layers (such as the elephant), its best to just unfold the area, make the adjustments, and refold it.

Thank you! That is abundantly clear, and my fold is much cleaner now. The people of this form are great. Thanks again.

You're quite welcome, happy folding .

Hey Wait, don't go, yet....

We want to see pictures of what you folded ?

- Hank Simon

Not relevent to the topic, but here is a pic of the rabbit I just finished. The elephant is upstairs. I just had back surgery so I can't make it up without help yet. The elephant however, looks more like an angry armidillo! Back legs are way to short and the trunk only comes about halfway down the front legs. It did not help that I was using writing paper because it was the largest square I could find. Good question: what do people use for good test paper that is 12" or so?

I'm just now delving into 3d (if you will) origami so I'm not used to a number of the folds I'm being introduced to.


IMG_0614.JPG

I usually use a type of foil-backed wrapping paper for testing a model. Most complex origami requires a sheet of thin paper, so printer/copier paper doesn't hold up. A good starter is a pack of large size origami paper from a craft store (the foil kind is especially nice for thin appendaged models [such as bug legs or claws], but it tends to tear if you're not careful), but you can also use tissue paper or combined homemade paper, like "tissue-foil" or backcoated tissue paper. For more on paper, I'd suggest checking out this thread sometime: viewtopic.php?t=49

Here is a thread with instructions for uploading pictures: viewtopic.php?t=721

You can also feel free to post them in the "What have you folded lately?" thread here: viewtopic.php?t=79

It would help if I read the photo sticky. Here's a link. Hope I did it correctly (if not you can cut and paste the unbearably long URL) Link

modern tech and pain killers don't mix Belive I got right now. Thanks for the patience.

Try editing your post and adding the [/url] to the end of the url. You can also use tinyurl.com to shorten such long web addresses.

Thanks Joe... Being the new guy is so fun (need a sarcasm font)

No problem, everyone is new at some point ;p. Thats a pretty good rabbit by the way, from "The Complete Book of Origami"?

Correct. It was the first book
I could find in books a million that had more then just flat models, or models that needed to be cut to create a 3d effect. I found a few others online that I am waiting to be delivered.

Not happy with the rabbit. The sink fold required to give the model volume was not done very well. So the back of the model is very wrinkely. Not used to "sinking 1/6th of a tip" however. Just need some more practice.

Cool, the rabbit looks cute, regardless. Even tho it was off topic, I really like to encourage people to post pictures, because I know the pix motivate me to look into models that I hadn't considered previously.... and I assume that other folders get more interested also.

Thanx,

- Hank Simon