PDO v PDF help

**Mike Stamper** · #1 07-29-2015, 12:33 PM

I've downloaded a few PDO files but so far I've not tried to make a kit.

Could someone help?

I see thumbnails of pages of parts and a movable model on the left.

I guess that the parts pages can be printed, but is the movable model the only guide to the build and does this mean that I need to have my computer running during the build?

Thanks in advance

Mike

**SCEtoAUX** · #2 07-29-2015, 02:59 PM

Yes, I believe the 3D model is used as instructions to show how the parts look when attached to each other. The other window with the parts pages has a feature where when you mouse over the tabs on a part a line goes from those tabs to the part that they are attached to. Also, when you click on a part on the parts pages it is highlighted on the 3D model. Those seem to be the only instructions that are available with the pdo files.

**Mike Stamper** · #3 07-29-2015, 04:07 PM

Thanks Doug --- that's what I thought - a couple of kits I have are quite tempting so I may "have a go"

Cheers
Mike

**JohnM** · #4 07-29-2015, 05:15 PM

It certainly helps a lot having the .pdo up on screen while your building Mike.

As Doug said, putting mouse pointer on an edge in the 2D view will show you the edge it joins to. Clicking on the part will highlight it on the 3D view to show you exactly where it goes and the shape it should form. Click on a part in the 3D view and a red box will appear round the part in the 2D view, to show you where to find it. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out on 3D or 2D, and if you click and hold on the 3D you can move it around to change the view angle.

Also, note above the 3D view is an icon that looks like a cube. Click on this to make all the 3D parts move apart so you can see the seams better. Click the icon again to blend them together again.

Someone somewhere needs to write a book on Pepakura. They probably have in Japanese, but I've not seen one in English yet. It's viewer is quite a complex program, but oooh so useful when you get to know it. Pep designer is even more complex, nearly as good as Photoshop, but it goes about things in a very different way.

If you have 'Cute PDF' or similar installed, just hit print in Pepakura and select 'Cute Pdf ' as your printer ... one instant PDF file of the 2D pages.

Don't forget to have a peek in the gallery on the Pepakura website. 100s of free .pdo downloads there.

Lots to explore in Pep. viewer. Even more in Pep. Designer ... Just think like a Japanese and you'll get there. ... Have fun.

**nothing** · #5 07-29-2015, 06:02 PM

the new version of pepakura has an animation built in where you can watch the part "fold" from 2d to 3d. not sure if it comes in the freeware version though. might be worth looking to see.

**JohnM** · #6 07-29-2015, 06:53 PM

I ain't really sussed out the free version of Pep Designer yet Trent.
But then again, I'm a builder not a designer. Reworking Minions is about my limit there.

Desk is cleared for the SMG, but I've got new furniture coming for that room tomorrow, so my 'Workspace' will have to be redesigned around it before I can start snippin' again.

**JohnM** · #7 08-16-2015, 10:05 AM

I just stumbled across this ...

How to use Pepakura

I found it very useful and just thought that maybe others would too.

**Mike Stamper** · #8 10-16-2015, 11:39 AM

I'm about to start on a new project that uses PDOs.

One I've down loaded comes as two separate files. one is a PDO file that has only line drawings the other is just textures.

I've reread Johnny's link but it doesn't help. I've also tied every button on the PDO page - does anyone know how to combine the two?

Cheers
Mike

**rickstef** · #9 10-16-2015, 11:43 AM

Mike,

I can write up a small tutorial tonight after I get home if you would like

Rick

**Mike Stamper** · #10 10-16-2015, 02:50 PM

That sounds like a good idea - I've found quite a few PDO's I'd like to make.

So far, with the figure I'm working on is a lack of "order". A few times I've glued parts together only to find it's difficult to attach them to the next part. I appreciate this sort of problem can never be documented, unless someone makes every model thats available ;-))

I also found that I had printed some pages of a coloured model but only got the drawn outline - I solved that one, but it's qite possible there is an easier answer.

Cheers

Mike