The Origami Forum

An euryptérides http://www.dinosoria.com/scorpion_mer.htm

A Sea Scorpion (megalograptus) was on my list. I have a few things already done, but I'm trying to do some more. I'd rather not do the same thing as someone else though.

Good luck!

Well, as I was discussing the other day with you, gauthier:
a Platybelodon, a Titanothenes, an Ichthyosaur, and a Plesiosaur are what I think that I'll try. But I've got a long time to make those.

I was researching the criteria for the challenge (prehistoric mammal Not Dinosaur) and decided upon the Irish Elk. Pretty much an elk but the antlers are extremely big (probably why it went extinct )

I'd love to start designing something to submit but I'm leaving for college this friday and I've been packing my origami stuff... I'm sad to leave so much behind! I'm probably going to be on a brief origami vacation until I'm settled in.
But... I read about an arthropleura, like a giant prehistoric millipede. I'd love to do something with segmentation... once the pattern's down, it's easy.

I was expecting you to go for an Archelon...

Oruhito wrote:I was researching the criteria for the challenge (prehistoric mammal Not Dinosaur)

Prehistoric animal, not dinosaur. Doesn't have to be a mammal. Any prehistoric non-dinosaur, such as a Pterodactyl, Plesiosaur, Dimetrodon, mammoth, trilobite, etc.

I have certainly not decided yet...I went through a list of prehistoric species and googled them (well, most of them), bookmarking the ones that looked pretty interesting. I narrowed it down to about 50...hahaha...

Some of the especially cool ones from my list are the hyracotherium, brontotherium, prolibytherium, eucladoceros (I am definitely gonna try this one ), doedicurus, elasmotherium, and the dodo.

There are tons of cool prehistoric elk, and I am definitely going to experiment with them...

I have found a base for my sea scorpion, I'll fold it this afternoon

origamimasterjared wrote:I was expecting you to go for an Archelon...

Yea, I definitely thought about it but I think that since I'm already working on a tortoise I rather try something different...
Besides, they don't look that much different from modern sea turtles. Just a larger head, stubbier fins. And like a leatherback, just leathery skin, no plates, so it wouldnt be as intricate.

Well, intricacy does not necessarily make an origami piece. Something simple can be just as elegant and beautiful and amazing as something complicated.

I am trying to get away from the philosophy that complexity is better, because I tend to try to design things over my head

Yea, but making something complex interests me more. It's adding subtleties and little details that give me a feeling of accomplishment I guess.

Refer to Satoshi Kamiya's T-Rex. Notice how it doesn't have fingers or toes? But its form is impeccable. He captured the subtleties very well. And it was definitely complex. Same goes for just about any Komatsu piece. Make a perfect, clean, smooth-backed turtle. Make it as efficient and foldable as possible, get the correct proportions without box-pleating, etc.

Haha, I wish I could emulate Kamiya or Komatsu... I'm still a newbie with designing without box-pleating but I guess I'm gonna have to start sometime, eh?

I did a google search for an Archelon, and whad'ya know, origami on page two.

Kawahata's Archelon

Well, if I can find the time, I'll take a couple stabs at one. If then, I'll probably be posting up some prototypes and asking for advice. I think my problem is I see too 3-D and gravitate towards sculpting, not making flaps. I can only take a few books to college but for sure Origami Design Secrets is coming along, haha.

Kamiya's book is another one to bring for sure.

And of course Kawahata did it. He's one of my top 3. Kamiya, Komatsu, Kawahata. The 3 Ks.

Yea, for sure. I've got Yoshino's (works and T-rex), Kamiya's, Design Secrets, Conventions 7, 10, and 12 (leaving my antique 3 behind...), Origami Zoo, and some Tomoko Fuse books. If I find the need to get others I have to wait till Thanksgiving. My college is small compared to University of Washington but there's GOTTA be someone else there working on a model for the convention or at least interested in origami.

But I'm not betting my life on it .