Glowing Solids With Paper and Cardboard (SIMPLE!)
Introduction: Glowing Solids With Paper and Cardboard (SIMPLE!)
This is a super simple project that even kids can cope with, but the results are pretty cool! You will almost definitely have the materials needed to make this lying around in the house doing absolutely nothing (*cough* like us people in quarantine *cough*), so it's time to recycle. And the best part is, you have basically infinite variations of this project to fit your taste to a T! I'll cover these below. By the way, a "solid" is any 3-dimensional real shape. For now, let's get started!
Note: everything in this instructable is completely my own work.
Supplies
The supplies are very few and should be plentiful and readily available in your house:
- Paper
- Scissors or craft knife
- Any basic glue (e.g. school glue)
- Cardboard or some other opaque material you can cut and paste (This should be as thin as possible to avoid snags)
- A light source, preferably small (This should be an LED type, otherwise it may be a safety hazard due to heat. You can use a lamp, flashlight, or connect some LEDs to a USB using my other instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/Super-Simple-Chea..., or even other choices!)
- Access to a printer, and my templates.
This specific instructable is for the Quartz Crystal design, for simplicity. The others, when I add them, should be easy enough to figure out by looking over their sheets. I will add pictures of those as well, later.
Step 1: Cut Out and Paste the Opaque Pieces
I have attached files as svg. You will likely want to open in chrome and print. You will likely be able to print this with other softwares as well. Go ahead and cut out the opaque pieces; these will perform the effect of light coming from only specific places. Wherever they are placed, light will be blocked.
No need to make it super neat yet, that comes later. Paste this onto your cardboard.
Note: I have attached "cover piece" files as well, for a purpose made clear later.
Step 2: Roughly Cut Out the Cardboard
Begin to cut out the opaque pieces, but do it roughly to make it easy for yourself. Still make sure to avoid cutting over the lines. The careful cuts come in the next step, just to break it down.
Step 3: Carefuly Cut Out the Opaque Pices
I first cut them out in columns with their triangles, then cut out the rectangles and triangles to make it easy and neat. 294
Take your time!
Step 4: Cut Out the Net and Fold/score
Now cut out the actual net. A net is the flat, basically unfolded, form of any real 3-dimensional solid. This almost gets there but not quite because it has the extra flaps to hep glue it; a real net does not.
Do the gluing carefully and break it down like before! You may notice my templates look a bit different, but that is because I was using an older version, which doesn't actually make a difference. Now fold on the lines. I recommend folding so that the finished model would have the lines on the inside. This makes it both easier and better looking in the end. If you want, you can score the folds, like I did, for maximum accuracy.
Step 5: Add the Opaque Pieces
Add on the pieces of cardboard in their areas. If needed, trim the cardboard. It is better to have the pieces a little too small than a little too big! Be careful and place it well!
Step 6: Close It Up!
Glue all the flaps and close up the model. I do suggest letting the glue on the cardboard dry first to make it easier and more accurate. If you are having trouble closing the model, never fear! This is where my cover pieces file comes in!
Step 7: (OPTIONAL) Cover Pieces
These can be used to help close the model, or cover up blemishes, or both! Cut them out and fold them, glue them, and put them in their designated place. I used only the top piece because that's all I needed. The body piece just wraps around the body. These should be straightforward and simple to use for any model.
Step 8: Let's Make It GLOW!
Now darken the room and take a little light, placing it through the opening, and marvel at the wonderful glow. There are endless possibilities with this method, highlighted in just a second. I used various lighting, including my USB LED (https://www.instructables.com/id/Super-Simple-Chea...) with wires attached. 163