Waybe Paper Modeling

• Home
• Waybe Thoughts
• Learn Waybe
• Purchase
• Waybe Demo
• About

Paper Modeling News & Resources

Above the Fold: Buzzwatch Goes to an Origami Convention
7/3/2008 Wall Street Journal

Card Modeling FAQ
A nice overview on the history of paper modeling, where to purchase paper model toys, paper modeling techniques, and an index of other resources

About Paper Modeling

Paper modeling is the practice of creating scale models using paper as a primary medium. Similar to origami which entails folding paper, paper modeling can also involve cutting, scoring, and gluing. Tracing its roots to 15th century Europe, paper modeling began as an educational hobby with predominantly religious themes. With the rise of printing in the 18th century, paper models became more affordable to distribute and gained in popularity with scale architecture models becoming widespread. As a hobby, paper modeling reached its peak in the late 19th and early 20th century as manufacturing costs declined, replacing paper toys with wooden and metal toys.

Paper Modeling for Hobbyists
A resurgence in paper modeling has occurred as the Internet has provided an effortless medium to distribute and share paper models. PDFs of character, vehicle, and architectural paper model outlines abound on the Internet. Online papercraft communities have emerged, uniting hobbyists the world over. Paper model designers, however, still must undergo the painstaking process of unfolding 3D models manually. Waybe arms hobbyists with an easy and automated way to create and unfold their own 3D paper models.

Paper Modeling for Architects & Designers
Architects and designers have increasingly used paper study models as way to accelerate design iteration in the most early stages. Requiring no expensive equipment, paper modeling is also an affordable alternative to 3D printing. The study models are used to gain a better understanding of space, lighting, and end user appeal. While paper modeling has long been popular in Japan, architects like Frank Gehry have popularized paper modeling in the West. Waybe provides professional architects & designers a way to easily unfold 3D models into paper prototypes.

Download your own Waybe paper models

Check out the models below created in Waybe. Download them, cut them out, fold them up, and see just how easy it is to construct a paper model.

Tank Paper Model

Starship Paper Model