23 February 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

WE KNOW THAT SOME OLDER DOWNLOAD PACKS ARE NOT DOWNLOADING CORRECTLY. SORRY THAT IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG TO WORK ON, WE ARE FIXING IT NOW. 

Most of the files on the site are not designed for use on mobile devices. If you can open rar files, read pdfs, and print from your mobile device, then you're in luck. If you cannot do all of these things, then we strongly recommend using a computer to print the files.

On this site, you will find papercraft models of Pokémon which you can print out and build yourself, with just a pair of scissors and little bit of glue.

Each individual post on this site represents one Pokémon model. At the bottom of every post you'll find a description and building tips related to that particular model, plus a download link.

The Download links are either in A4 or Letter size, depending on which country you are from, and from either of these links, you will receive a ZIP or RAR archive file, which can be opened with WINZIP or WINRAR (see list below)

It is possible to also use a Mac to do so, and download links for Mac are provided below labelled as such.

Before asking any questions regarding files not opening correctly, be sure to check the file extension. The files provided only open with the corresponding programs listed below. Match up the extension with the programs.

If a file is not opening properly, be sure that the right program is associated with the right file. If a download pack is opening up in browser and showing an abundance of text, it means you don't have a Rar program set to open Rar files. 

If the files does open in Winrar and still gives an error, then that's a problem you should let us know about and we can fix it.

Within these files, you will find:
  • several PDFs which you can print directly out using Adobe Reader, and
  • a PDO file which can only be opened with Pepakura Viewer.

The PDO is your virtual 3d instruction manual.
From it you will be able to rotate the virtual model in any direction and see how each piece of the template corresponds with the next.
Sadly, Pepakura Viewer is a PC program, and does not operate on Apple Macs, without the use of a PC emulator (such as Boot Camp or Parallels).

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Recommended Programs to Open the Files:

Pepakura Viewer (.PDO)
http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/

Adobe PDF reader (.PDF)
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Winzip (.ZIP)
http://www.winzip.com/prod_down.htm

Winrar (.ZIP .RAR)
http://www.rarlabs.com/

RAR (.RAR) for Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rarlab.rar&hl=en

iZip (.RAR & .ZIP) for iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/izip-zip-unzip-unrar-tool/id413971331?mt=8

Alzip (.ZIP) Freeware
http://www.download.com/ALZip/3000-2250_4-10326198.html?cdlPid=10631836

Freerar (.RAR) Freeware
http://www.download.com/Free-RAR-Extract-Frog/3000-2250_4-10804840.html?cdlPid=10804841

UnRarX (.RAR) Freeware for Mac/Apple OS
http://www.unrarx.com/

iZip (.RAR/.ZIP) Freeware for iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/izip-zip-unzip-unrar-tool/id413971331?mt=8

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Common problems when opening files

If Pepakura keeps closing when you try to open a file, you probably installed Pepakura Designer instead of Pepakura Viewer. Since we lock our files, Designer can't open them and thus, close.

To download the models, you need to click, at the bottom of each post beside the "Download" text, the format of paper that you use, either A4 or Letter. A4 is the international format while Letter is mostly the American format. You can look at which one you use in your printer setting or on the pack of paper that you bought.

Clicking on either A4 or Letter will make you download an archive file which will either be a Zip or a Rar file. Those are NOT the templates to build the models, but are the "box" inside which you'll find the templates. You can find a list of programs used to open those archives above.

The Pdf files are opened with Acrobat Reader and are templates ready to be printed. The Pdo files are opened with Pepakura Viewer and are kind of 3d templates that can be used for instructions on how to build the models; you can also print the template from it. You can find how it work on Pepakura's website, with a quick google search. There's even a how-to video on Youtube. The Jpg/Png files are textures that can be use in Pepakura Viewer to change the look of the model, usually changing it to the Shiny form.
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Options in Pepakura Viewer


To change the textures (colour):
  • Unpack the files from the model's download pack into a folder.
  • Open the PDO file in Pepakura Viewer.
  • In the "Setting" menu, select "Texture Setting ..."
  • Then click on "Specify Texture Image" and select the new texture (BMP, JPG, or PNG) located in the download file, and apply.

To print a template from Pepakura Viewer:
(Not alwys necessary since we usually include required PDFs)

  • In the "File" menu, select "Print" and follow the instructions from your printer.
  • You can also adjust the colour and thickness of the lines in the "Setting" menu, then select "Print Setting..."

To show the edge Ids
(numbers beside each tabs showing where the piece go. e.g.:
tab #43 glue to edge #43)
  • In the "View" menu, select "Show Edge Id".
  • You can also adjust the size of the number and where they appear (inside/outside) in the "Setting" menu, then select "Other Settings...", then "General Settings".
  • To Adjust, select "Place edge ID inside of face" and "Font size of Edge ID (pt)"

To add a colored border around the pieces.
(can reduce the appearance of "white lines" in a completed model)

  • In the "View" menu, select "Overflow Paint".
  • You can also adjust the size of the border or color the whole tabs (flaps) in the "Setting" menu, then select "Other Settings ...", then "General Settings"
  • To change between Overflow Paint and Solid Colored Tabs, select "Paint flaps with neighboring face color instead of overflow paint". To change the width of Overflow Paint, input the desired amount with"Amount of Overflow Paint [_] mm".

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iPad/iOS Device Download and Printing Notes


1. Download the iZip app for iPad/iOS above
2. Load an Adobe Reader App from the ap-store, it's also free
3. Then go back to the Paperpokes website
4. It will not download from the Facebook link, Bing, or Google, it will only download from your browser
5. Then click on Letter or A4 next to Download on the model you wish to print to download
6. Close the site
7. Open iZip and click on your local files
8. Click on model name of the downloaded file
9. Double tap model name, it should be highlighted
10. Then click on one of the PDF files and the printable pages will appear
11. Click on "Open In" under the model pictures
12. Now click on the Adobe Reader Icon and the model should appear
13. Above that there is the small square shape icon with an arrow on it, click on that
14. Click "Print" and a print box will appear
15. Chose your printer device of choice
16. Make sure you DESELECT "Double sided", you don't want the pages back to back
17. Then click PRINT
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Q: What kind of paper/glue do you use?

A: This is what we would recommend:

1. Use decent paper - (NOT regular 80gsm printer paper) find some that is no less than 120gsm in weight

2. A good pair of sharp scissors
eg: Honey Bee non-stick precision Scissors

3. An used-up ball point pen or craft stylus to score/emboss fold lines with
eg: Pergamano small ball stylus

4. A small (~15cm) metal ruler - metal doesn't get damaged or dinted like plastic.

5. Decent acid-free paper glue - importantly it needs to be fast setting
eg: Power Pritt Multipurpose Extra Strong Gel or Aleene's Original Tacky Glue

6. Tweezers - preferably non-stick

7. A tooth-pick (wooden cuticle stick) for getting into those hard to reach places

8. A craft knife/scalpel which has replaceable blades
eg: x-acto knife

9. A large self-healing cutting mat


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Q: How do you resize the templates?

1. One way would be using Photoshop or another image editing software to scale up (or down) the pages of the pdf, and printing them larger (or smaller). You would also have to split apart the pages like this too (if printing larger), and keep the same scale for every page when resizing.

2. The other way would be if you have access to a printer that can print pages like A1, or something larger or smaller depending on what you wish to do. Print with it, scale to page when asked. Each template page will then fit each printed page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_size


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Pro-tip - How to Build a Good-Looking Model:

1. Score/emboss the fold lines of the template piece before you cut it out of the card stock. Otherwise you'll end up trying to keep fiddly pieces of paper still with one hand while trying to score/emboss with the other - it never end well.

___________________ Solid Lines are for cutting

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dashed Lines are for Mountain Folds

— - — - — - — - — - — - — - Dashed/Dotted Lines are for Valley Folds

2. If you chose to do a lined template, once you have embossed/scored and cut out the piece, DO NOT fold along the crease lines. Instead, just glue it as if it were completely unembossed/unscored. This way, you allow the paper to bend naturally along the lines you have created, and the result is a much smoother build

3. The only exception to the above "do-not-fold" rule are:
  • tabs, and
  • if you have a fold that creates an angle that is <45º.
4. If you choose to build a Lineless model, score/emboss the tablines out, fold them, and then glue as per normal. The result will be a smooth build without the clumsy, visible crease-lines.

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Q: Who are the members of Paperpokes and where do you all come from?

A: The Paperpokes Team members are (in alphabetical order):
  • Brandon, USA, male
  • Lyrin, Italy, female
  • Paperbuff, USA, female
  • Pixel-Kakashi, Mexico, male
  • PMF, Canada, male
  • POdragon, USA, female
  • Skelekitty, Australia, female



Q: Why can't I download the files - all I get is some sort of strange coding?

A: We do not exactly know why this happens, but there are two ways to get around this issue.

1) Save the page as a browser file and then change the suffex to either .zip or .rar (depending on what your mouse/bottom of your browser says as you move the pointer across the download link). Or,

2) Use an alternate browser (e.g.: Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc )



Q: Why does Pepakura instantly shut down when I try to open a PDO?


A: The reason for this is probably because you are trying to open our files in Pepakura Designer - You can only open our PDOs in Pepakura Viewer.


Q: Can I be a testbuilder for your team?

A: Maybe if we like your work, but don't ask. If we see your builds on deviantart, or you submit pictures to the Facebook Page and we think you would be a good addition to the team, we will invite you.

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211 comments:

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Unknown said...

Hello, I really like your site. Collected Snivy, and Emolga))I would like to ask if there will be a paper model of pokemon Servine and Serperior?;-;

Brandon said...

Not as of yet, but they'll get added to the Generation lists for easy access when they do get made

Anonymous said...

I am relatively new to papercraft models but have been doing origami for years and am not familiar with embossing or scoring the paper. What is the reasoning behind embossing/scoring rather than folding? Or just not scoring at all and leaving it all smooth?

Brandon said...

Personally I prefer not to directly score or fold at all, and actually use the length of a colored pencil to curl any longer pieces that should be round. For particularly sharp folds, or ones that contribute to a particular shape, I do fold those directly (but still don't score them).

The main pro of scoring/folding is to make the pieces fit better together, but that does come at the expense of it being less smooth of course. I started out scoring/folding most things, and gradually went the way of without.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reply Brandon! Will have to employ those techniques. Also fantastic models, really loving just looking through all of them and can't wait to build some!

Unknown said...

Hi, I was wonder, I want to make Latio v1 but i can't find it on this website

Brandon said...

Search on the top right can help get you there pretty quick:

http://www.pokemonpapercraft.net/search?q=latios&max-results=8

Anonymous said...

Hi, i love your models, but is there a way i can get a notification/email when you post a new model? This can be very helpful, cause otherwise i did have to search all the pages again. Thanks!

Brandon said...

The best way to get notifications/alerts for new models would probably be to follow/subscribe to our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paperpokes/109894838376
Short of that, we do also try and keep a pretty regular schedule of 15:00 CST posts on Fridays, so that's an easy way to keep track too

Anonymous said...

Thanks Brandon!

MeMystic said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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