papercraft Skyward Sword Impa WIP3

Sometimes the changes I make to the original model before unfolding don't look so big, but they do make a difference when building the final model out of paper!

Usually, this does mean the polycount goes down, but that's not the goal per se! (sometimes it means the polycount actually goes up ;o)

I think the best tip that I can give people that want to make a paper model of their own with Pepakura Designer, is to keep imagining in their head how the separate polygons in the 3D model will unfold later on into 2D paper shapes.

That way, you can plan ahead to create shapes that allow you to unfold your paper model the way you want, and not how the polygons force you to... ;o)

In one example in this case, I felt it was much better to make the flesh coloured piece just before the toes part of the texture, rather than as a separate piece. This way, you won't have to make an extra, separate paper part, since it is really just the same surface as the rest of the foot.

If you're not (yet) good at unfolding things in your head, then just try it out; print your ideas, and test build them. It's the best way to find out if eveything works the way you want or not. ;o)

And of course: have fun!