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NOTE: This is a good time to think about scaling. Keeping the program open as reference is a good idea when assembling. Thankfully, you can see what edges belong together by hovering over the pieces. Some Pepakura files with have numbers on the edges and after cutting everything out, you much up the numbers. With this particular file, there were four pages for the front of the mask and four pages for a backside. The right side will show you the pieces you’ll be cutting out. This is what you should see when you open a file in Pepakura viewer (Designer has an additional row of tools, but looks similar). Onto the process! (Lots of pictures underneath the cut) Sponge brushes: Used to brush on floor polish since sponge brushes are cheap and disposable. I used this to reinforce the back of the ears. You can cut the mesh with scissors, but be careful. If you’re only using Bondo, you won’t need this.Īluminum modeling mesh: I found this much cheaper in a craft store, but this is an aluminum mesh used for clay or paper mache modeling. You can use Bondo instead.įloor polish with Future: Used to strengthen paperclay and to create a smoother finish. Paperclay: Used as a top layer to fill in divots and uneven sections. Primer: Because it’s always good to prime before painting. I used 80 grit, 150 grit, 220 grit, and 400 grit. You’ll want sandpaper in a variety of grits to get a smooth finish. Utility knife or xacto knife: A sharp knife (and extra blades) will serve much better than scissors if there are a lot of small detailed cuts. I used CA glue to attach the pieces together and as a strengthening layer. The thicker the cardstock the better.ĬA glue (Superglue): Some people use CA glue to glue the Pepakura pieces together (hot glue is also a common method). If you have latex gloves, you can use those too, but I don’t know if they’ll react with CA glue in any way.Ĭardstock: Material of choice for pepakura! There’s also a method using EVA foam instead of cardstock, but I’ve never tried that before. Nitrile gloves: Good for keeping your hands clean and safe when working with Bondo and CA glue.

Easy to find at home improvement stores or on Amazon. Organic vapor respirator: The organic vapor part is very important if you’re working with Bondo. The 14 ounce container is a good starting size. Keep in mind there might not be a file for what you want to build.īondo: Easy to get at any home improvement, big box store, automotive, or on Amazon. There’s also a list of resources further down on this post. Googling “_ pepakura file” is a good first step. Pepakura file: Whatever item you want to build.

#Pepakura designer cosplay license

If you plan on doing lots of cosplaying with Pepakura builds, buying the license is not a bad idea.

#Pepakura designer cosplay download

To save files in Pepakura Designer you’ll have to pay 40, but the download itself is free. If you want to be able to scale the models, get Pepakura Designer.

If you only want to open and print out files, get Pepakura Viewer. Pepakura: This is the program you’ll be using to open Pepakura files. Before committing to a large Pepakura build, try a small project first. Cutting out all the pieces and assembling is very tedious and time consuming, it’s fairly messy, and you need to be able to work in a well-ventilated area with a respirator. If we were working on armor or a larger piece, we would use fiberglass resin.Īs another note, Pepakura is not for everyone.

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This method is NOT recommended for anything like a full set of armor because of the amount of CA glue you would need.

CA glue is easier to use, not as toxic, and better for smaller scale projects like hand props, helmets, and maybe some weapons. One big difference between this method and most other Pepakura tutorials is instead of using fiberglass resin, I used CA glue. From that idea, different methods have formed. The basic idea is simple the design is printed out onto cardstock, cut out, assembled, and reinforced. Pepakura is specifically the program used to view and print out the 3D, but the process has taken on the name too. So what is Pepakura? Pepakura a type of papercraft that’s become a great way to create props and armor. The prop used in this tutorial is a splicer mask from Bioshock, but the same method was used for Queadlunn’s Mass Effect breather helmet. I learned a lot from the Replica Prop Forums (if you’re interested in prop and armor work, DEFINITELY visit this site, it’s a wonderful community) and Queadlunn gave me a lot of help along the way. This is my (Cata) first go at Pepakura and I definitely learned a lot.