The Origami Forum

I was wondering if anyone knew of a software that can diagram 3D origami (the one that uses the many triangles, and can make swans, pandas, etc.)?

In books, you usually see triangles and upside down triangles, showing the layout of all the pieces to put.

It'd be really nice to diagram some of my own 3D origami models... so any tips would be appreciated!

inkscape is brilliant for diagramming origami. i use it all the time for diagrams.

Yes, Inkscape is good, free software for origami diagramming. There is a bit of a learning curve to figure out what works best for you (at least if you are unfamiliar with vector graphics), but it is a great program. There is other software as well, such as Freehand, Canvas, etc. that are also highly recommended, but Inkscape is the best free one to my knowledge. Once you have the software, you should worry more about how to make very clear, good-looking diagrams and what notation you will use.

I believe we are missing the point of Pooky's request in that he wants software specifically designed for 3D models.

I assume you mean these kind of models? http://www.opane.com/swan.html

I think your best bet is photodiagrams supplemented with inkscape or a different vector based editing program. If you wish to draw the steps for consistency you can take a photograph and trace it in your program.

The tracing photographs works very well for 3D steps in all sorts of models. Especially when you can easily get confused with what is what and where the different layers of paper and such are.

Yes, M Deutsch, I am looking for how to diagram that kind of modular origami.

There are some scanned diagrams on the internet you can get by googling '3D origami diagrams', to see what "triangles" I'm talking about in the diagrams. Here is one scan I found from Google (sorry about the big size):
[img]http://origami.bluepop.us/diagram/lucky ... iagram.jpg[/img]
You can see how it shows the colour, quantity, and direction of the triangles on each row of the model.

Basically, I'm looking for an easy way to diagram something like this ... if anyone has any ideas

...you draw a triangle in any program at all, then copy and paste. I don't see why that would require a special program, triangles are not difficult to draw

M Deutsch, I understand this, and my recommendation to use Inkscape (or another vector graphics program) still stands. Pooky, the kinds of diagrams you showed us look very similar to traditional origami diagrams in many respects, which can be created using Inkscape. I would imagine there is not a program designed specifically for your purposes, but Inkscape or any other vector drawing program has the capability to create those kind of diagrams.

One of the typical problems with diagramming Origami, is representing some of the various shapes in 3D space. CAD programs can do this, but the variety of shapes complicates the process. So, the current diagramming Origami standards require a little experience both to use and to follow. And, of course, CPs require even more experience, and maybe a different type of mental wiring.

Having said that, these 3D Origami models are a special case of modular origami, where the unit of design is a triangular piece. Like Engineer design, as suggested by melba, if you are good with engineering modeling and CAD, you might easily apply those tools to 3D diagrams.

I imagine that there are some free CAD modeling tools available, there may even be some XML languages and VRML-like tools that would help.

Of course, if you don't know CAD, then don't read this post

- Hank Simon