The Origami Forum

Hi I have been doing origami for awhile and every time I try to a model in one Robert Lang's book I get stuck every time. Are his models harder or is just me? I mean I have done some pretty tough models but something about trying to figure his out I get stuck. What's up with that?
Thanks for any insight,
Doug

Any specific model you need assistance with? We need details in order to help.

About why you get stuck with Lang is probably because you are an inexperienced folder. Go fold some more models (even if you never complete them) and at points you will have Eureka moments where you figure out how to fold something finally. It happens to all of us.
Sometimes we just aren't thinking clearly, or we just don't see it at that point in time, but let us mull it over in our heads for a bit and everyone has to come to a conclusion at some point in time.

Razz you raise good points. I have been folding off and on for years but his models just stump me for some reason Specificly I am working on the tarantula in The Complete Origami steps 12-14 where there is a sink fold. It may just be insects that I have trouble with. They are tough! Any good tips on insects or good models or reading material on insects, as well?
Thanks again I appreciate the input

generally speaking, lang has the hardest models in origami, imho. i still think that origami insects and their kin is the hardest book in origami, and if you can fold everything in that, you can fold anything. by comparison, kamiya sequences may be long winded, but there is nothing especially difficult.

one of the things that makes lang so difficult is that function often follows form... i.e., with most of his modern designs he maps everything out on treemaker and the folding sequence has to comply, no matter how awkward the result (which is why you are often better off measuring and marking when he advises it and why the references are often so odd , like 0.37 of the edge and whatnot). whereas with many other designers, form follows function (i.e., they sketch with the paper and the adjust things to their satisfaction, so the sequences are more "organic").

the other thing with lang models is that, in many instances, experience doesn't help as it does with other models. for instance, with the butterfly in origami insects in their kin, when doing the open-sinks to form the wings (which is difficult because the paper is trapped and there is no way to "open" it), there is no "easy" way that comes with experience. you just have to patiently work the paper in and out. whereas say, with the ancient dragon, the first time you do it, step 185 is "hard" because the paper is trapped and there is no easy way to precrease it precisely at the half angle. but with experience, you realize you can precrease this step very early in the model to make this step easy.

I don't agree with you.
I folded a LOT of Lang's models, but I still can't fold Kamiya's Ancient Dragon.

You're a unique case then, most people don't enjoy folding insane grids and references.
Generally speaking, Langs models are harder than Kamiya's due to Kamiya's usually being based of 22.5 and Lang's off circle packing or BP

Well it really depends on the model, but generally speaking I also feel that the Ancient Dragon is a lot harder to fold than most of Lang's models. They may have tiresome references, but overall they aren't really that hard to fold.

origami_8 wrote:Well it really depends on the model, but generally speaking I also feel that the Ancient Dragon is a lot harder to fold than most of Lang's models.

really? for instance, with the paper wasp from OI1, the final in and out sinks to form the abdomen is nearly impossible for me, since the flap in question doesn't taper at all. there's no step in the ancient dragon that is nearly that hard for me.

I think the inconsistency between which models are harder comes from the fact that Lang's models require more skill and coordination while Kamiya's models require more patience. I've folded several of each (albeit not display-quality), but I honestly find them to be fairly equal.
I actually figured out a process on the paper wasp that let me get a somewhat clean sink on my first try. Basically, all you have to do is squash the edge inside while pleating and then closed-sink the other end. Then undo the locking folds to reach inside and clean it up.