Inspired by other websites like Cut & Paste Sci-Fi, Piro model and PaperBotz, I decided to pick up a project that I've been wanting to do for a long, long time now (yeah I know, just like all my papercraft projects... ;o)I love papercraft, and I love LEGO, so why not combine the two, and make a big, paper version of the coolest minifig that LEGO ever created!
Kapitein Knoest (called captain Redbeard or captain Roger in English speaking countries) was the leader of the LEGO pirates all through the '90s.
In contrast to the earlier, "merry-go- happy" minifigures that all had the same, non-offensive "standard grin" facial expression, Kapitein Knoest had a rugged red beard, an eyepatch, a wooden leg and a hook for a hand.
No wonder everybody loved him. ;o)
Oooh, how big are we talking? :D
ReplyDeleteAlso, I see you use SketchUp... Any chance on a tutorial, or even some quick tips, on how you make a model from scratch in SketchUp, with an eye toward papercraft?
I tried to do a katana once and it didn't work well at all for me.
Haha! it's very funny!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Kapitein Knoest/Redbeard is still my favourite minifig of all time! ;o)
ReplyDelete@William: I'm not sure how big I will make it yet; usually I try to make my models about 20-30 cm tall, but some parts might turn out so small that I might make it a little bigger.
As always, I'll be posting updates as I go along, but I'm afraid I don't really have the time to do a proper tutorial...
I'm using SketchUp for this project, because most parts aren't too complicated, and SketchUp is very suited to do quick 3D modeling when it comes to basic shapes.
Usually when I'm trying to make something existing from scratch, I start by scanning it from all angles, so you can "trace" the basic shapes to get the proportions right. Then it's just a matter of basic computer modeling skills, to make those outlines 3D.
And to make it "paperfiable", is just a matter of experience building and creating other paper models, so you can plan ahead by unfolding the parts in your head as you go along. And of course, test your ideas! ;o)
I'm sure if you would try to make a new katana, you would be able to come up with new ideas and solutions for the problems you encountered the first time! ;o)
Very good choice of Lego minifig. The method you use to design is the perfect base for the model with very approximate proportions.
ReplyDeletePersonally same method to combine measurements from an original model, either plastic or image, and determine the length proportional using the rule of three.
Thank you, I'm glad you like my idea for a paper Knoest! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI think using scanned images as reference to recreate a 3D model from an existing object is much easier and quicker than measuring everything part for part, especially if the original object is so small...
I once got a flatbed scanner from my parents "for school", and I still think it's one of the best gifts I ever got! ;o)
WOW this is great I haven't papercrafted in a while but this should wake me up from my slumber.
ReplyDeletequestion: will the arms and legs be move-able ?
and I found this on the Lego's internet community
might help http://blog.dersven.de/user/files/gadgets/lego30-technischeZeichnung.png
Haha yes, I had that same image saved! I don't think my papercraft model will be *that* accurate though...! (thousands of a millimeter! ;o)
ReplyDeleteBut I will make it so that you can take it apart and put back together again like a real LEGO minifig, so I really recommend using thicker paper for building it, because otherwise the axle joints probably won't be strong enough...