paper model design help

[djracer2]

Hi i am new to the site and like it alot. was wanting to know if any one has a suggestion for a tutorial on paper model design that is for some one who has not used 3d software before. i have read a few and they seem to talk alot about jargon i dont under stand. like UV mapping and vectoring. and the like.
i have used photo shop for repainting some models and even made some drawing in adobe. but i try sketch up, and pepakura and a couple others and
and was able to draw some 3d models. but cant figure out how to get them unfolded for paper. most of the instructs i have found assume you already know all the jargon and what all the tools mean. any help would be appreciated Dave

[SignGirlusa]

Wow I want to know all this stuff to if you find anything out please let me know

[willygoat]

Being a novice to design myself, I know what you mean. There are some sketch-up plug-ins made specifically for unfolding into 2-d shapes, and even just for paper models.

Flattery and Waybe are two that I've heard of a lot. I've been playing with sketch-up a bit and have been thinking the exact same thing as you.

[djracer2]

What are flattery and waybe or where can i find them. havnt heard of these

[willygoat]

Here's info on the two plugins

Flattery:
Flattery Papercraft Tools

Waybe:
Waybe - From the digital to the real world - Home

[Diderick A. den Bakker]

For the work that comes after the computer design has been finished, you may like to have a look at the tutorial I wrote some time ago: Early SF: tutorial for designers.
It concentrates on rockets and planes, but many of the tips apply to all types of paper models. Hope it will be useful.

In the meantime, everybody who reads this: There are now almost 2000 pictures of built paper models on my Photograph Collection. Why not have a look, and send me some of your own pictures?
Flickr: New Photo Collection, via www.zeistbouwplaten.nl's Photostream