Concept

This project creates a 3D paper cut model in Maya, and use Laser cutter to produce the real model. It is about converting the digital media production back to the traditional craftwork. The idea is from Hans Christian Andersen’s and Peter Callesen’s paper cut. It’s an abstract cage. It can be used as a lantern or droplight. The patterns on the frames look like the human faces with four different emotions, which include happy, happy with big smile, angry, and sad. It’s full of childishness, telling a fairy tale.

The structure is rabbet joint together. The part and whole, part to part relationship is shown between the structures of the cage which including the hook (tie), side fames, and the base, also between the butterflies (The cage locks butterflies inside, but the butterflies set up as accessories, they will not appear in the 3D rendering) and the cage. Because the butterflies are hanging in the cage by the fishing lines to the top frames, their position can be changed as 2 ways which freely hanging around or with the balance structure. The cage is presenting the functional, structural, and aesthetic relationships together.

The 3D paper cut model focus on transferring the 3D model which creating by the computer to the 2D structures. Then the laser cutter can cut all the shapes out, and then can fold them into 3D model later. The project focuses on decreasing the individual parts, and avoids using the glue to stick parts together.

For the real model, original idea is using metal sheet to produce it. Then the cage would have a perfect appearance and stable structure. Because of the schedule, changed to use half transparent plastic sheet and cardboard to made the model. Using the material is depended on the quality of the materials cutting test by the laser cutter.

For the model in Maya, the rendering emphasizes on the structure, shape, and lighting for presenting the model. The real model is made by half transparent plastic sheet and black cardboard. The final rendering needs to show the quality of the transparent plastic sheets. Also the shadow of the stage is very important for have a good rendering. In this case, avoids too much shadow because there are too many frames in the cage.