I've been out walking in the hills today so no time for a post. To keep you going check out this amazing video of the patterns that appear when you set group of different length pendulums swinging. Amazing!

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In response to the Sphere project, regular visitor Eric sent me links to his brother's flickr feed and website where he shows how he projects panoramic pictures onto for various 3D solids. Fantastic stuff!

I've followed the link from his site and downloaded the demo of Flexify which I'll be purchasing shortly.  

With Flexify I can take their demo picture (above) and convert it so that it covers a variety of different 3D shapes from cubes through dodecahedrons (below) to the truncated isocahedron from the sphere project.

Cut out the net, glue it together. (You could right click the above picture, save it and print it out to try this at home) The result is this fascinating 3D projection. 

So, next step, create some of my own panoramic pictures to stitch together and project. Thanks Eric!

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I was sent a link to this splendid video by Smelter - a regular in the comments sections. It's the best video I've seen explaining how a differential works and its almost 80 years old!

Thanks Smelter!

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Drinkumbrella, who you've probably come across in the comments section, has posted pictures this picture of various models from the website on his flickr site. 

Good job drinkumbrella! 

Check out the picture and the pics of his tasty snacks here.

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Add to Cart to download this kit for free !

Here's a quick download for you to try out. You'll no doubt remember the pop up festive box that Eric Dyer sent me earlier in the month. He was kind enough to link to his template so I've taken the liberty of modifying it a bit and adding it as a free download available at the link.

It's a quick and easy project. The end result could have all sorts of uses from festive decoration to advertising bill board. The whole project would make a great craft activity for home or school.

So, print out the parts onto thin card (230 gsm / 230 micron) Score along the dotted lines and cut out the parts. No centre marks on these holes as I reckon they are too small for a circle cutter.

Fold round and glue down the longer of the two pieces.

Glue one end of the shorter pieces to the bottom of the cube shape.

Thread the shorter piece inside the cube and glue the tab to the other side. Don't let the glue get anywhere apart form the tab.

Fold the cube flat. That's basically it.

Finish off by threading a piece of string in place as shown...

...and knotting it.

There you go. Fold the cube flat to fit in a card or envelope. Pull the string to make it pop up. Neat.

Thanks Eric!

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Remember the comfort mouse model that Shelley sent me? Well she very kindly sent through the plans so everyone can have a go.

I've dropped it into a pdf file which you can download for free at the end of this post.

Shelley wrote an interesting post on Paper Forest about how she designed and made the cards.

I'm glad we've got access to this card so early, it's going to take me all year to learn how to knit those little tiny mittens!

Thanks Shelley, it's delightful!

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I received another papercraft holiday card this morning. Sent by Eric Dyer the design is simple, elegant and really rather nice! The whole cube folds flat to pop into an envelope then, rather than an elastic band, it is simply a case of pulling the green string and the card folds up into a cube. I'm guessing that Eric has used a plotter cutter to cut out the intricate snow-flake designs on the sides, either than or he a lot more patience than me.

Thanks Eric, it's lovely!

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I was sent this scan by Smelter (from the forums) It is a slot together 3D shape. Without making it up I'm not sure but I'm guessing that it will be a cuboctahedron.

I've been out at Higham Hall most of the day helping at an open day so I've not had chance to put it together yet. We'll see in the morning.

Thanks Smelter!

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Via an invitation to join the linkedin social network I came across this rather splendid site by Clive Stevens.

All kinds of fabulous paper sculptures including works that have bee used in advertising and other commercial outlets.

Well worth a visit!

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I'm doing a bit of research to make sure that I get the giraffe model head correct. It turns out that I've got it all wrong.
Giraffes are in fact, tree dwelling primates only venturing into the open plains in search of water...

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