Help with Lang's Desert Tortoise

[DShpak]

Hi,

I've been going through some books I recently bought (I ordered Origami Design Secrets and Origami Zoo, and then found Angelfish To Zen at a used book store -- great condition) and am having difficulty with steps 8-9 of Lang's Desert Tortoise from Origami Zoo.

First of all, I'm assuming that these steps are both part of the same maneuver -- that the folds shown in Step 9 are done while making the reverse fold in Step 8. However, I'm having a hard time understanding the diagram in Step 9; I'm not sure what I'm looking at. My understanding is that the center of the bottom line in Step 9 is the same point as the bottom-left corner in Step 8. That makes sense, and it becomes the lower-left flap that is visible in Step 10. But I can't figure out the top half of Step 9 -- I don't see anything on my model that corresponds to the two vertical parallel lines, and I can't figure out what folds I need to make to get the other flap on the left. Every attempt I've made has resulted in a flap that is inside the model, not sticking out.

Here's a picture of the current state of my fold, in case I've made some earlier error that's making Step 9 impossible:



I feel rather foolish for getting stuck this early on, but there you have it. I've searched the forums and couldn't file anything - any help would be appreciated!

- Darryl

[zxop9]

hello

i havn't folded this model for many years so i can't help you by memory, if you could take a photo of the two steps you are having trouble with and post it here i should be able to help you

i rent my books from the public library (other then kamiya's book, which i bought and waited two months for!) so it would be a couple days to a couple weeks before i could get my hands on this book

[DShpak]

Here are steps 8-10:



I've added the smaller copies to colour-code my understanding of how the flaps in the various steps correspond. The small triangular flap in Step 10 (the one that I've coloured blue in the smaller diagram) is the one that I'm having trouble creating. When I fold it, it stays hidden inside the model. But I don't really understand how the diagram in step 9 corresponds to the flaps that I see when I open up the model as shown in the photo above.

Thanks for your help!

- Darryl

[DShpak]

Never mind, I figured it out. Apparently I just needed to look at something else for a couple hours and clear my brain

Step 9 follows on from Step 8, but they are not two views of the same step. When you do the reverse fold in Step 8, it's kind of like an open sink, but then the model won't lay flat. Step 9 then shows how to flatten the model. A lot of the folds don't seem to have any landmarks, but as the instructions say, if you just push down on the top and close the model, everything sort of falls into place.

Thanks anyway!

- Darryl

[zxop9]

heheh
i was almost about to draw up some more detailed pics! ;p

[Cat.]

Hi

Could anyone help me with step 15 please - I'm trying this for the second time and yet again have got to this point and am not sure what the 'trapped layers' are that I'm meant to be pulling out. The first time I managed to pull out way too much paper and had to give up as I had unfolded too much and couldn't go back. Sorry if this is a stupid question, but it's really baffling me and I'd love to finish it this time!

Thanks
Cat

[Cat.]

Just realised I might indeed be being really stupid - it's the single layer from the mountain folds in step 3 I think - so simple that I couldn't see it! Please correct me if I'm wrong, though I'll find out in a few steps' time I guess...

[Unforgettable]

Did you get it right? I folded this turtle yesterday, but after the shaping of the shell the rest of the model (legs and head) were under so much tension that the shell was determined to lift itself up from the rest. Could not get it to work out, even though I had worked very accurately, didn't get a single fold wrong and got to the very end. I suppose it's because I used Kraft test paper. But I am not gonna waste a sheet of tissue foil on a test fold...

[Cat.]

I finished it, but i think it ended up quite similar to yours - the shell is lifted up. He doesn't look very good The shell collapsed too, but I was using brown paper, similar to kraft I think, so I guess it wasn't going to hold the shape very well, and refolding the legs without pressing on the shell at all was near impossible for me. On the whole I think the limit of my origami ability is a few pages before this model really (I can make a decent camel and the bear wasn't too bad). One to try again when I've had some more practise at other things...

[Edg]

Don't be too downhearted! I haven't had chance to fold this model, but the 3d steps look fairly tricky. Langs models can be really hard. I find step 21-24 of the rabbit in this book more tricky than a lot of more complex models, where you can often just up the paper size to counter the difficulty!
You could always use a dab of glue or paper clips to hold things together on models that need foil/wet folding, if you're just practising.

[Cat.]

Thanks After only 2 months I shouldn't be too disappointed that some things go wrong I suppose! Might not try the rabbit too soon though! If it's OK to go off topic, how do Montroll's books compare in difficulty generally? Am thinking of giving Origami Zoo a break for a bit; I know you've already suggested genuine origami to me, but I was also considering either dinosaur origami, origami gone wild, sea creatures in origami or perhaps taking a step back and going for teach yourself origami (all by Montroll). Any thoughts? I suppose I want slightly challenging/improving but achievable...

[Edg]

After a year and a half, I go wrong all the time That's what test folding is for I suppose, though more often than not, the test fold goes great, then I ruin my expensive paper on the second try! Don't let me discourage you from that rabbit, though, it's always worth having a go!
On the subject of Montroll, I've only folded a few of his models, mostly from Origami Sea Life (I think sea creatures in origami shares models with this?). In my opinion, his models are a joy to fold, with great sequences and suprising moves. I find them a lot easier than Lang's stuff, but personally I prefer Langs models, aesthetically speaking.
By the way, there is a current thread on Montroll's books in general origami talk.

[Cat.]

I'm sticking to making everything with cheap paper at the moment OK, I'll have a go at the rabbit, but perhaps not yet...
It looks like Montroll's models are about the level I'm looking for then (though I know they'll vary between models/books of course), thanks; I'll post on that thread to ask about specific books.