All Groups

Tips for Modeling in Paper

1. In general, it is best to read through the instructions before you even think about scoring or cutting the paper. Make sure you understand each step -- if you don't, ask one of your classmates or your teacher for clarification. The worst thing you can do is ignore the instructions, cut blindly without scoring the fold lines first, and try to make the model work without knowing what you're supposed to do.
2. Always score the fold lines before hand. You can use several methods score a fold, but the simplest at this point is to use a black ball-point pen, or a pen that has run out of ink. Just line a ruler up with the line to be scored, and draw over the line with the pen. This makes the paper easier to fold, and improves the appearance of the model.
3. Cut as close to the line as possible. In many instances, parts will not fit together, or will look bad, if the lines are not cut precisely.

1. Score the fold lines before cutting the box out. Fold lines will include any lines between faces of the box, as well as the lines between the faces and the tabs. In the ACE model, all of the tabs are a light grey color, to distinguish them from the faces, and you should apply glue only to the grey tabs unless otherwise directed.
2. Cut the box shape out carefully, especially along the lines that will show in the final model.
3. To construct the box, first join the ends of the shape -- in the ACE model, there will always be a tab at one end and not on the other, shown in this picture as a darker grey.
4. Fold the faces on the longer strip (here, from left to right) so that the tab attached to face A can be glued to the non-printed side of face D. This should resemble the first photograph below.
5. Next, apply glue to the tabs on just one side of faces A, B, and D, and glue face E down onto those, as in the second photograph below.
6. Repeat that with face F, as in the third photograph below.
7. Keep in mind that the instruments and other boxes in the ACE model are not labeled with letters like this, but the idea is the same for each one. Even if the boxes don't have six identical sides, you can still apply the same general principles to building them.

Last but not least, if you have any problems with this project that you think should be addressed, please tell your teacher, who will report them to the designer. You may want to write them down so you can remember them, and pass in the list later. Thank you for your patience!

Go on to the Information for Group One