SnipFold

Faceted Sea Turtle

An original low sea turtle with a two-tier triangular dome, matching flat octagonal plastron, four swept flippers, a raised wedge head and pointed tail.

Materials

  • 180-220 gsm cardstock
  • Scissors or craft knife
  • Scoring tool and ruler
  • PVA glue

Finished size: 158 x 164 x 31 mm

Steps

CutValley foldMountain foldGlue area

  1. 1. Prepare matched panels

    Print at 100%; the ruler must measure 50 mm. Cut one of every ID, keeping all tabs. Score dashed lines. For each triangular panel, vertex 1 is template (0,0), vertex 2 is on its positive horizontal axis, vertex 3 is above that axis. Edges 1, 2, 3 run 1-2, 2-3, 3-1; tab cut edges are not panel edges. Transfer IDs and edge numbers lightly to the reverse before cutting. All tab folds go inside the hull.

    Show 11 more pieces

  2. 2. Lay the flat bottom

    Keep B01 flat on the table, 84 mm wide by 110 mm long. Front is the pointed vertex at y=+55 mm; rear is y=-55 mm. The crown will stand 31 mm above this plane. Do not round or stretch any panel.

  3. 3. Bond four flippers and tail

    Lay all five pieces flat on the table with their printed root glue patches on top of B01. Use the common template coordinates to register roots: front flippers at x=+/-24, y=22 mm; rear flippers at x=+/-22, y=-25 mm; tail root centered at y=-45 mm. Glue only root patches, leaving the outer 4 mm bottom rim clear for shell tabs. Tips reach x=+/-79 mm, rear flippers y=-58 mm and tail y=-74 mm. Press roots for 60 seconds and let dry flat.

  4. 4. Form head H01

    edge 1 (20.0 mm) to H02, own 4 mm tab folded inward 144.2 degrees; edge 2 (36.4 mm) to H03, own 4 mm tab folded inward 109.8 degrees; edge 3 (36.4 mm) to H04, own 4 mm tab folded inward 109.8 degrees. Pre-fold owned tabs to the stated angles from flat; glue under the receiving face, align full seam ends and hold 45 seconds. Keep the H01 underside root patch free for mounting. Complete all four faces as a 20 mm wide, 35 mm long, 13 mm high wedge.

  5. 5. Form head H02

    edge 1 (20.0 mm) to H01, receiving its tab; edge 2 (24.4 mm) to H03, own 4 mm tab folded inward 83.0 degrees; edge 3 (24.4 mm) to H04, own 4 mm tab folded inward 83.0 degrees. Pre-fold owned tabs to the stated angles from flat; glue under the receiving face, align full seam ends and hold 45 seconds. Keep the H01 underside root patch free for mounting. Complete all four faces as a 20 mm wide, 35 mm long, 13 mm high wedge.

  6. 6. Form head H03

    edge 1 (36.4 mm) to H01, receiving its tab; edge 2 (21.4 mm) to H04, own 4 mm tab folded inward 129.6 degrees; edge 3 (24.4 mm) to H02, receiving its tab. Pre-fold owned tabs to the stated angles from flat; glue under the receiving face, align full seam ends and hold 45 seconds. Keep the H01 underside root patch free for mounting. Complete all four faces as a 20 mm wide, 35 mm long, 13 mm high wedge.

  7. 7. Form head H04

    edge 1 (36.4 mm) to H01, receiving its tab; edge 2 (24.4 mm) to H02, receiving its tab; edge 3 (21.4 mm) to H03, receiving its tab. Pre-fold owned tabs to the stated angles from flat; glue under the receiving face, align full seam ends and hold 45 seconds. Keep the H01 underside root patch free for mounting. Complete all four faces as a 20 mm wide, 35 mm long, 13 mm high wedge.

  8. 8. Mount the raised head

    Glue the rear 5 mm patch of N01 onto B01, centered at x=0 with its rear edge at y=44 mm. N01 projects forward to y=61 mm, staying flat. Glue the H01 underside root patch to the forward N01 patch at y=56-60 mm: center the head rear edge at y=55 mm and nose at y=90 mm. The raised head starts beyond the shell rim, connected by the flat tongue. Keep the head base horizontal and dry 5 minutes.

  9. 9. Join shell panel S01

    edge 1 (40.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 124.7 degrees; edge 2 (28.8 mm) to S05, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.0 degrees; edge 3 (40.3 mm) to S02, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  10. 10. Join shell panel S02

    edge 1 (40.3 mm) to S01, receiving its tab; edge 2 (25.3 mm) to S03, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.4 degrees; edge 3 (27.2 mm) to S22, own 4 mm tab folded inward 28.7 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  11. 11. Join shell panel S03

    edge 1 (25.3 mm) to S02, receiving its tab; edge 2 (31.6 mm) to S06, own 4 mm tab folded inward 13.8 degrees; edge 3 (27.6 mm) to S24, own 4 mm tab folded inward 11.8 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  12. 12. Join shell panel S04

    edge 1 (33.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 129.9 degrees; edge 2 (30.3 mm) to S08, own 4 mm tab folded inward 42.9 degrees; edge 3 (37.3 mm) to S05, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  13. 13. Join shell panel S05

    edge 1 (37.3 mm) to S04, receiving its tab; edge 2 (20.9 mm) to S06, own 4 mm tab folded inward 33.4 degrees; edge 3 (28.8 mm) to S01, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  14. 14. Join shell panel S06

    edge 1 (20.9 mm) to S05, receiving its tab; edge 2 (35.3 mm) to S09, own 4 mm tab folded inward 15.8 degrees; edge 3 (31.6 mm) to S03, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  15. 15. Join shell panel S07

    edge 1 (33.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 129.9 degrees; edge 2 (28.8 mm) to S11, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.0 degrees; edge 3 (42.2 mm) to S08, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  16. 16. Join shell panel S08

    edge 1 (42.2 mm) to S07, receiving its tab; edge 2 (20.9 mm) to S09, own 4 mm tab folded inward 33.4 degrees; edge 3 (30.3 mm) to S04, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  17. 17. Join shell panel S09

    edge 1 (20.9 mm) to S08, receiving its tab; edge 2 (31.6 mm) to S12, own 4 mm tab folded inward 13.8 degrees; edge 3 (35.3 mm) to S06, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  18. 18. Join shell panel S10

    edge 1 (40.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 124.7 degrees; edge 2 (27.2 mm) to S14, own 4 mm tab folded inward 28.7 degrees; edge 3 (44.8 mm) to S11, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  19. 19. Join shell panel S11

    edge 1 (44.8 mm) to S10, receiving its tab; edge 2 (25.3 mm) to S12, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.4 degrees; edge 3 (28.8 mm) to S07, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  20. 20. Join shell panel S12

    edge 1 (25.3 mm) to S11, receiving its tab; edge 2 (27.6 mm) to S15, own 4 mm tab folded inward 11.8 degrees; edge 3 (31.6 mm) to S09, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  21. 21. Join shell panel S13

    edge 1 (40.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 124.7 degrees; edge 2 (28.8 mm) to S17, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.0 degrees; edge 3 (40.3 mm) to S14, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  22. 22. Join shell panel S14

    edge 1 (40.3 mm) to S13, receiving its tab; edge 2 (25.3 mm) to S15, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.4 degrees; edge 3 (27.2 mm) to S10, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  23. 23. Join shell panel S15

    edge 1 (25.3 mm) to S14, receiving its tab; edge 2 (31.6 mm) to S18, own 4 mm tab folded inward 13.8 degrees; edge 3 (27.6 mm) to S12, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  24. 24. Join shell panel S16

    edge 1 (33.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 129.9 degrees; edge 2 (30.3 mm) to S20, own 4 mm tab folded inward 42.9 degrees; edge 3 (37.3 mm) to S17, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  25. 25. Join shell panel S17

    edge 1 (37.3 mm) to S16, receiving its tab; edge 2 (20.9 mm) to S18, own 4 mm tab folded inward 33.4 degrees; edge 3 (28.8 mm) to S13, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  26. 26. Join shell panel S18

    edge 1 (20.9 mm) to S17, receiving its tab; edge 2 (35.3 mm) to S21, own 4 mm tab folded inward 15.8 degrees; edge 3 (31.6 mm) to S15, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  27. 27. Join shell panel S19

    edge 1 (33.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 129.9 degrees; edge 2 (28.8 mm) to S23, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.0 degrees; edge 3 (42.2 mm) to S20, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  28. 28. Join shell panel S20

    edge 1 (42.2 mm) to S19, receiving its tab; edge 2 (20.9 mm) to S21, own 4 mm tab folded inward 33.4 degrees; edge 3 (30.3 mm) to S16, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  29. 29. Join shell panel S21

    edge 1 (20.9 mm) to S20, receiving its tab; edge 2 (31.6 mm) to S24, own 4 mm tab folded inward 13.8 degrees; edge 3 (35.3 mm) to S18, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  30. 30. Join shell panel S22

    edge 1 (40.8 mm) to B01, own 4 mm tab folded inward 124.7 degrees; edge 2 (27.2 mm) to S02, receiving its tab; edge 3 (44.8 mm) to S23, own 4 mm tab folded inward 0.0 degrees. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  31. 31. Join shell panel S23

    edge 1 (44.8 mm) to S22, receiving its tab; edge 2 (25.3 mm) to S24, own 4 mm tab folded inward 35.4 degrees; edge 3 (28.8 mm) to S19, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  32. 32. Join shell panel S24

    edge 1 (25.3 mm) to S23, receiving its tab; edge 2 (27.6 mm) to S03, receiving its tab; edge 3 (31.6 mm) to S21, receiving its tab. Fold owned tabs inward by the stated angle from their flat extension. Glue 4 mm tabs beneath receiving faces; align seam endpoints without overlap of the main triangles. Join available neighbors now and leave future-neighbor tabs accessible. Assemble shell separately from B01; keep all B01 rim tabs unglued until the final closure. Hold each seam 45 seconds.

  33. 33. Close the matched rim

    Dry-fit the shell: eight outer vertices must coincide with the eight B01 corners, with the crown at z=31 mm and the shoulder ring at z=22 mm. Front rim vertex lies over the neck. Coat the eight 4 mm rim tabs, lower shell onto B01 and press each rim seam for 60 seconds. The tabs lie inward on top of B01. Dry 20 minutes with the broad bottom and flippers flat on the tabletop. Do not squeeze the crown. Physical printing, fit, glue access and stability remain unverified.

Notes

The 3D model shows each piece in its finished, idealized shape; the exploded view only spreads the pieces apart. It is not a paper-physics simulation: curved shapes are forming guides, not exact physical folding or proof of developability, and intermediate fold shapes are not supplied.