This is a laser cutting practice. I created a plesiosaur using 9 pieces of matte paper.
Design
The initial design consists only 6 pieces, four legs, a body, and a head. I was struggling with connecting those pieces together. Without any background knowledge about laser cutting techniques (without Googling other people’s work), I “invented” a connector: As the sketch paper shows, I planed to punch several holes on one piece and insert a serrated piece in it. However, it did not seem to be durable enough. Then I saw other people doing it and realized that a better way was to clamp pieces together. Well, it is always good to explore a little before copying other people’s techniques, right?
I made one change in the design phase. I thought the back is kind of boring, so I decided to add three humps to it. I know a Plesiosaur does not have humps, but that was before I realized I made a Plesiosaur. When I designed this animal, I just had an image in my head: a swimming dinosaur-like creature with a long neck and four flippers. This image might came from both the myth of the Loch Ness and some dinosaur pictures I saw in my childhood.
Process
I drew the outlines in illustrator because I was more familiar with it. Then I imported the file to Rhino to adjust layers. I added some patterns (etching and rastering) on the back too, and it looked like this in the printer:
Those were pieces I cut from both the thinner and thicker paper.
Although I liked the color of the practice paper (the thinner one), but the first try did not work out since the paper was too thin. Connections between pieces were too loose to make the creature stand. BUT IT LOOKS CUTE just lying there!
After realizing the size of connectors were not right, I adjusted it. Then I found out that the size was actually right for the thicker paper. As a result, I went back to the original dimensions and it worked out well. Here is the final product:
I seriously think my first Plesiosaur was better looking due to the lighter color, but this is fine too.
Feedback
Since this product did not serve any utility purpose, the critique session was relatively casual and most reviews were based on the appearance of the creature.
Likes
- Some people like the etching and rastering on the back. Some don’t;
- Most people think this little creature is cute;
- “This is exactly what a Plesiosaur should have looked like.”
- “I love how the back looks like a surfboard. It looks like I could ride on it :D”
- People like the fin design.
Need Improvement
- One person said rastering makes the back dirty. I had the same feeling. Maybe I used too much rastering;
- “Cut out the eye next time” Sure. I did cut out the eye on my first try but forgot to do so on the final product;
- One person suggested to add some etching on the neck.
- “The eye seems really big and not proportioned” — Hey dude it’s called cute.
Making a 2.5D object is a lot of fun. I hope I will have more opportunities doing this.