In earlier origami dragon diagram post I released the first version of my first diagram. I created it using Inkscape and Photoshop, though I’m absolutely sure I could do it with Gimp instead of Photoshop, just to emphasize the option of using open source software to create diagrams.
My goal was to make a tiny diagram of origami dragon which fits in an image of width and height of only 512 pixels. Of course, I picked a very simple dragon for that purpose. The first version was very far from perfection – it had unnecessary snapshots due to the fact I was using photos as a reference, I didn’t specify which folds are mountain folds and which ones are valley folds**, it had ugly arrows mouse-drawn in Photoshop all over the place, and all of these factors made the diagram a little bit confusing.
Note: if you just want to start folding and not interested in all the babbling about the process of making the diagram and stuff, just clik “Read the rest of this entry” link and scroll down until you see the diagram 
Also, I used to draw all of the steps in one spot in Inkscape, exporting each layer with the step as a separate image, and then adjusting the final dimensions and arranging work withing the Photoshop. It was quite a bottleneck to be honest. This time I’ve altered the dimensions of Inkscape document itself, and arranged all of the steps in Inkscape itself, thus making it possible to exporting the whole diagram with a few clicks.
I fixed all of the issues, and I found a nice way to draw different arrows in Inkscape as well. After reviewing some of the diagrams in books I have reduced the number of snapshots from 20 to 13, which is very good – I had much more space to work with and could and did enlarge certain snapshots. A kind member of an origami community suggested to use a dark ribbon beneath the steps to visualize the order in which the steps are performed instead of somewhat confusing arrows.
Due to the freed up space I also decided to include short text instructions into the diagram. It’s not a very good idea to have text instructions in separate place and having to jump from one place to another while folding. I will still supply all of the detailed step by step origami instructions, but now the diagram itself includes short notes that help folding using only this diagram.
** Valley folds are usually marked like this - - – and mountain folds like this – . – . – in origami diagrams.
And here it is, the origami dragon diagram, second and probably the final version:
Origami Dragon. Click on the image to view full 512x512 version.
Step by step origami instructions:
1) Start with the Fish Base. Fold the top part through the back of the model.
2) Fold the upper layer just a little under the diagonal between the horizontal corners. Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise.
3) Valley fold the model in half horizontally.
4) Fold the wings on both sides.
5) Inside reverse fold the future neck down.
6) Inside reverse fold the neck again up.
7) Inside reverse fold the neck again to form the head.
Inside reverse fold to form the final head with an optional horn – adjust to your liking.
9) Inside reverse fold to form the spine.
10) Inside reverse fold again to form the tail and lower spine.
11) Fold the corners inside.
12) Optionally pleat fold the tail twice to make it look more dragon’ish. Curl it to the side if you want.
13) Your origami dragon is finished =)
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Related posts:
- Simple Origami – Making a Fish Base
- Origami Dragon Is Serious Business, Nyo
- The Bird Base
- Origami Dragon for a Complete Beginner
- Simple Origami Dragon Diagram – a Step by Step Origami Guide
Tags: art, arts, dragon, instructions, origami, Origami Dragon, origami dragon instructions, origami instructions, simple origami, simple origami dragon, step by step origami
This is very awesome!
you should make more diagrams! :3
http://www.origami-club.com/en/others/dragon/dragon/index.htm
check out this diagram for a dragon it is cool but i havent made yet.
cam