Different arrow styles in Origami

I was browsing the Internet for learning Origami, where I found this wonderful article of the origami basics. Every origami diagram will be described using complex arrows, symbols and folds. Having seen about the basic types of folds lets look into the various arrows and their meaning.

Often (but unfortunately not always) the "paper" shown in diagrams will have a white side and a coloured side, like standard Origami paper (Kami). If this is the case you sometimes find a symbol which shows whether you should start with the coloured side up or the white side up like in the picture on the left.

There are different kinds of lines which you will encounter in diagrams. Thick lines show either raw edges or edges resulting from folds. Thin grey lines show crease lines which are the result of prior folds. Dotted lines show lines that are hidden behind layers of paper.

Additionally there are lines that show you where and in which direction to fold the paper. A dashed line shows that the fold is supposed to be a valley fold. A dashed and dotted line shows that the fold is supposed to be a mountain fold. Sometimes you will find this line with a single dot like this:

Arrows in diagrams usually tell you in which direction to fold the paper.

	Fold the paper where shown. This usually is a valley fold but can be used for other folds as well.
	Fold behind, i.e. make a mountain fold.
	Fold and unfold, creating a crease line.
	Fold behind (mountain fold) and unfold, creating a mountain crease line.

Fold and unfold arrows also come in the following variants.

	Unfold a part of the model in the shown direction.
	Fold and unfold, i.e. first fold in the direction of the normal arrow, and then fold back in the direction of the hollow arrow.

Apart from these arrows you will regularly encounter the following symbols.

	Open the model where shown.
	Push the paper in where shown. This usually is displayed for sink folds. For details what this arrow means in the specific step you will have to refer to the written instruction of the step.
	Patterns like this are usually displayed together with crimp and pleat folds to show how the final layer distribution should be.

Another set of symbols deals with the way the model is displayed.

	Rotate the whole model by the specified amount in the given direction, f.e. 45 degrees clockwise for the symbol on the left.
	Turn the whole model over in the shown direction.
	The model will be displayed enlarged from now on. It is also possible that only part of the model will be displayed enlarged for the next steps.
	The model will be displayed smaller from now on. If only part of the model was displayed until now, it will be displayed fully again.
	The eyes shows a change of viewpoint. In the next step(s) the model will be displayed from a different direction. This often involves a 3D view of the model.

An important group of symbols deals with the problem of reference points, i.e. they show the exact start, end and orientation of folds.

	The circle marks an intersection of creases where the fold is supposed to start or pass through.
	Two lines are perpendicular to each other.
	An angle is separated into two (or more) equal parts.
	A line is separated into two (or more), in this example four equal parts.

The following diagram shows all of those symbols in use. As a side note, this diagram shows a way to divide a square into thirds. The thick vertical line passing through the circle is at exactly one third of the square.

The last kind of symbol I want to show you is the repeat arrow which comes in many variations.

	Repeat the current step on another flap/side of the model.
	Repeat the current step on two other flaps/sides of the model.
	Repeat the current step on three other flaps/sides of the model.
etc.
	Repeat the noted steps on another flap/side of the model.
	Repeat the noted steps on two other flaps/sides of the model.
etc.

When repeating steps you have to keep in mind that sometimes you will have to perform the steps in mirror image.

You should now know all the symbols which are necessary to understand Origami diagrams.
A general hint which is very useful when folding Origami models with diagrams is to always look ahead to the next step to see how the result of the step is supposed to look like. With this you should be able to complete most steps without having to read the written instructions (although it‘s never a bad idea to read them anyway...).

Folds in Origami

Hi there...

Hare are the various folds you'll find in origami.. From the next post of Origami, lets look into some of the models.. Happy folding... Practice it..

Valley Fold

The valley fold is formed by folding the paper toward oneself. An arrow shows where to fold the piece of paper to. Symbol: dashed line

Mountain Fold
The mountain fold is formed by folding the paper away from oneself.
Symbol: alternating dashed and dotted line

Petal Fold
The petal fold lifts a point and brings it upwards so that the two edges of the point lie together. It is best to prefold both layers of paper along the shown valley and mountain folds before making the petal fold.

Rabbit Ear Fold
Prefold along the three valley folds first. Then fold the two sides down to the baseline (see arrows). Fold the top point to one side to make the mountain fold. (Take care that you fold the top point to the right side where the mountain fold is set.)

Squash Fold
Prefold both sheets of paper along the valley and mountain fold. Then open the model, fold one layer of paper along the valley fold and flatten the model using the mountain fold.
The big white arrow tells you to open the model.

(Inside) Reverse Fold
Prefold both sheets of paper in both directions (mountain and valley). Then open the model a little bit and bring the top point down so that the mountain fold edge becomes a valley fold edge.

(Outside) Reverse Fold
It is similar to the inside reverse fold except the layers of the paper have to be wrapped around outside the point.

Crimp Fold
A crimp is used as a way of incorporating two reverse folds to change the direction of a flap or point. In most cases it is easiest just to make two reverse folds one after the other (precrease both folds before).
The lines next to the image should show you how the layers lie after folding.

Sink Fold
The sink fold is a method of blunting a point that has no open edges. The fold should first be precreased. Then carefully open the model and tuck the point inside. Flatten the model afterwards along existing creases.

Materials for Origami

Get your Modeling tools ready...

Having seen what makes Origami,lets see what it takes to make Origami.

First lets start with the basic tool and the only tool(almost).. The paper.
Though readily available, it takes a right kind of paper for different models to bring out its best... There are various kinds of paper that can be used for Origami. The different kinds are listed below... Go on... Grab the right paper you need for your model..

• Origami paper comes in many grades, types, and sizes. They are usually square in shape, though some are circular or rectangular. The most common type is colored on one side and white on the bottom size.
• Duo paper has one color on the top, and another color on the bottom. This type of paper is great for models where both sides of the paper will be visible.
• Foil paper looks like aluminum foil on one side and white on the bottom side. This paper is a little more difficult to fold because, once folded, it will make a crease mark. In other words, there’s no room for mistakes with this type of paper.
• Washi and chiyogami paper: Washi simply means handmade Japanese paper. Washi is more textured and softer than ordinary office paper. There are lots of different kinds of washi made from different plant fiber. Chiyogami is a kind of washi with traditional Japanese imagery imprinted on it.
• Really big paper: The biggest origami paper we found was from Paper Jade (31” x 22”). If you need even bigger paper, try buying a roll of wrapping paper and cutting it to size with a cutting tool.
• Really small paper: are great for making origami models for greeting cards and origami jewelry.
• Circular Origami Paper There are very few sources of circular origami paper because there are relatively few diagrams starting with a circle.However, circular paper is often used in kirigami.
• Animal print origami paper: for kids, it's sometimes nice to use origami paper with animal prints on it. Be warned though: sometimes the animal patterns look great on a flat sheet of paper, but they don't match up properly when folded. Still... kids are imaginative and would appreciate them.

For those of you, who were unable to get the right size of paper get your second tool ready...
The paper cutter...

How to Cut Paper

The simplest way to cut paper is with a pair of scissors. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife and slice along the inside of a folded edge. This may leave an undesirable jagged edge.

About Paper Cutters

If you are a serious paper folder, you might consider investing in a paper cutter. There are two kinds of paper cutters: the guillotine type and the razor type.

• The guillotine type has a lever which you can press downwards and it will “chop” the paper. These cutters are good, but when they are well used, the lever may become loose. At this point, it is necessary to manually push the lever close to the cutting edge before you chop.
  

• The razor type has a sharp blade which will “slice” paper as you move the blade up and down. After much use, the blade may become dull and you may wish to buy a replacement blade.
  

• A third option is a self-healing cutting mat often used in quilting. These mats are made of a composite material so that they are not damaged by cutting knives. Cutting mats often have 1” and ¼” grid lines, but you still need a ruler and a hobby knife (such as a rotary cutter) to make the cut.

Once, you have these both... you are ready for the journey to the wonderful world of Origami...

Simple Applications of Origami

Mathematics and Origami

Wondering how these both are connected? Well, You can teach Mathematical principles using the techniques of Origami. The most common of this is the demonstration of the Pythagoras theorem, using the simple foldings of origami.. Now-a-days, more and more scientists are integrating origami into studies. Folding and unfolding problems have applications in robotics, hydraulic tube bending, and have connections to protein folding, sheet-metal bending, packaging, and air-bag folding. There are still lot more to know about Origami in the future posts.. So hang on..

Kirigami

Kirigami

Many scrapbookers are familiar with the art of origami -- the decorative Japanese paper folding technique. Less well-known is the art of kirigami, which in translation means "cutting paper." Like origami, kirigami begins with the folding of a thin paper, but ends with the cutting of shapes into the folded edges.

The fascinating world of Origami

"Origami!!!!!!!!!"

Origami...... It is one of the fascinating things I've always wanted to learn... There maybe many like me out there... So here is for all u ppl.... Let's learn Origami step by step...

First, lets formally look into the world of Origami and know its true meaning... The Art of Origami is one of the cultural treasures of mankind that offers us enormous amounts of joy.

Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The Japanese word "ORU" means "to fold" and "KAMI" means "paper".

So that finishes of the formal definition of Origami....

Exploring deeper into it... What exactly makes up this Origami and where lies its Charm?

Well, much of the charm of Origami lies in its simplicity. There lies a square, there are the folds. There are only two types of folds:

1. The mountain folds (which form a ridge)
2. The valley folds (which form a trough)

So, Square + Mountain folds + Valley folds is the recipe for nearly all of Origami

How simple can it get?

Well, It is almost simple once we get to learn it.

More about Origami and some models in the following posts... So hold on...