Paper models, also called card models or papercraft are models constructed
mainly from sheet of heavy paper, paperboard, or card stock. This
may be considered a broad category that contains origami and card
modeling. Origami is the process of making a paper model by folding
paper without using glue. Card modeling is making scale models
from sheets of cardstock on which the parts were printed, usually in
full color. These pieces would be cut out, folded, scored and glued
together. They are generally more popular in Europe and Japan than in
the United States.
Sometimes the model pieces can be punched out. More frequently the
printed parts must be cut out. Edges may be scored to aid folding. The
parts are usually glued together with polyvinyl acetate glue
("white glue" "PVA"). In this kind of modeling the sections are usually
pre-painted, so there is no need to paint the model after completion.
Some enthusiasts may enhance the model by painting and detailing. Due to
the nature of the paper medium, the model may be sealed with varnish to
last longer.
Printed card models became
common in magazines in the early part of the 20th century. The
popularity of card modeling boomed during World War II, when paper was
one of the few items whose use and production was not heavily regulated.
Micromodels, designed and
published in England from 1941 were very popular with 100 different
models, including architecture, ships, and aircraft. But as plastic
model kits became more commonly available, interest in paper decreased.
Since papercraft patterns can be easily printed and assembled, the Internet
has become a popular means of exchanging them. Commercial corporations
have recently begun using downloadable papercraft for their marketing
(examples are Yamaha and Canon).
The availability of numerous models on the Internet at little or no
cost, which can then be downloaded and printed on inexpensive inkjet printers
has caused its popularity again to increase worldwide. Home printing
also allows models to be scaled up or down easily (for example, in order
to make two models from different authors, in different scales, match
each other in size), although the paper weight might need to be adjusted in the same ratio.
Inexpensive kits are available
from dedicated publishers (mostly based in Eastern Europe; examples
include Halinski and Maly Modelarz, a portion of the catalog of which
date back to 1950. Experienced hobbyists often scratchbuild models,
either by first hand drawing or using software such as Adobe
Illustrator. CAD and CG software, such as Rhino 3D, 3DS Max, Blender,
and specialist software, like Pepakura Designer from Tama Software and
Waybe or Dunreeb Cutout or Ultimate Papercraft 3D, may be employed to
convert 3D computer models into two-dimensional printable templates for
assembly. Because of this, there is a vast number of models available.
Ships, automobiles, aircraft, spacecraft, buildings, and animals are all
common. In recent years, Japanese subjects, such as Gundams and anime
figures, have become common subjects in papercraft.
"Robert Lang describes his Origami designs. He shows slides depicting his
work and he illustrates the principles behind problem solving."
