A tool to unwrap 3D models into printable 2D layouts for creating physical papercraft models.
Papercraft is a specialized desktop application that converts 3D models (OBJ, STL, Pepakura PDO) into 2D printable documents for creating physical paper models. It focuses exclusively on the unwrapping process, generating layouts with pieces, flaps, and fold lines that users can cut, fold, and glue. The tool provides interactive editing to join, split, and arrange pieces, along with customizable output for printing or digital fabrication.
Hobbyists, educators, and designers who create physical paper models from 3D digital assets, such as low-poly art, architectural models, or craft projects. It is also suitable for users of 3D modeling software like Blender who need a dedicated tool for preparing models for papercraft construction.
Developers choose Papercraft for its focused, user-controlled unwrapping workflow, which avoids the complexity of full 3D modeling suites. Its support for multiple export formats (PDF, PNG, SVG, Inkscape SVG) and extensive customization of document properties (scale, flap style, fold lines) provides flexibility not found in general-purpose 3D tools.
Papercraft is a tool to unwrap 3D models.
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.
Offers edge, flap, and face modes for joining, splitting, and arranging pieces, with Shift-key shortcuts for efficient handling of quad strips, as detailed in the toolbar and edit menu.
Provides extensive document properties like scale, flap style, fold lines, paper size, and DPI, allowing tailored prints for various papercraft needs, shown in the dialog examples.
Supports PDF, PNG, SVG, and Inkscape SVG with layers for cuts and folds, enabling both printing and integration with digital fabrication tools like cutting machines.
Saves projects in .craft format with undo/redo and allows updating with revised 3D models without losing unwrapping work, via the 'Update with new model' feature.
Only imports OBJ, STL, and Pepakura PDO files, excluding common formats like FBX or GLTF, which may require extra conversion steps for users with diverse 3D assets.
Requires a modern OpenGL implementation; users with incompatible hardware must manually install Mesa software drivers, as noted in the installation quirks for Windows and Linux.
Focused on interactive editing per model, lacking automation for unwrapping multiple files at once, which can be inefficient for large-scale or repetitive projects.