Then, you may use some cheap foam, because these templates generate a impressive amount of waste. By suitable I mean that the templates below can only be used under certain restriction of material :Īt first you must use some foam mats, or foam roll, or whatever else, much larger than a common paper sheet.

And it begins with releasing some suitable *.pdo files.īy suitable I don't mean at all that the other guys who unfold for foam should better drop their work right through the gogs.

While using the software is easy, constructing the paper patterns is a completely different skillset.After a basic but effective five-days-built Iron Man Mark IV, I wanted to improve and share my speed-building technics to allow everyone having kids and a full-time job to be still able to build a full foam suit in far less than a month. Keep trying or try another method altogether. So if you print out the pieces and get discouraged, it’s ok. I’m pretty good with fitting pieces together and 3D orientation but not everyone is made that way. Sometimes, I feel like pep is a little overkill because of all the details for every fold but it gives you a good starting point.ĥ) Oh and I have to mention, this method is not for everyone. So just keep in mind, these are very detailed down to every fold so it will take some time to finish the projects…but they will come out awesome. However, if you are using craft foam and then using vinyl over it, or anything else over the craft foam, that’s three times the work. If you are doing this only using paper, it will already take a lot of time. I will create another post for more organic armor but the pep databases are much more useful for costumes that would be made out of metal: Gundams, Star Wars robots, Halo suits, Mega Man, etc.Ĥ) It takes a lot of time, paper, and work. Some of the links are outdated or old so here are some useful (not dead) databases to start your search:ģ) Pepakura is good for “metal-like” armor. Otherwise, for a cosplayer, the Viewer is more than enough.Ģ) Know where the Pep databases / galleries are. There is also a Pepakura Designer which is not free but only needed if you are going to create pep designs. Most files are pre-scaled for someone 6 feet tall so it’s pretty easy to use. Here is a tutorial on how to download, open, and scale your first file. So how do you use Pepakura? Here are tips on how to get started.ġ) Download Pepakura Viewer (free). You can make amazing life-sized pieces of armor such as:Ī full body Halo Armor Suit.Photo belongs to Tawnysha Greene.Īlphonse Armor. Pepakura is basically the art of paper craft folding.

Pepakura foam samurai armor patterns