Origami and kirigami are arts. Whether you decide to follow the path of folding or cutting paper, the truth is you have a great challenge ahead, demanding patience and much practice. The number of tutorials and guides available is enormous, but what alternatives exist when we need a more complete visual reference? A very interesting one is Origami Simulator, an online platform that simulates the folds of some classic figures, and others that seemingly could only be generated by computer.
I never developed the skill necessary to do origami, and most likely I'll cut a finger if I try to practice kirigami. However, that doesn't stop me from appreciating the beauty of some figures. Just typing "origami" in Google Images reveals fascinating creations that often border on the impossible.
Making mistakes in folds is a fundamental step in mastering this art, but what if it were possible to avoid those errors? From a certain point of view, that would require a sort of simulator, and that's how we arrive at Origami Simulator.
Simulating the Folds
Instead of reproducing the folds sequentially, Origami Simulator executes all steps simultaneously, an aspect we can modify with a slider that indicates the "fold percentage".
Configuration and Import
In the left-hand menu we find options to configure secondary details of the simulation, such as color, edge rendering, and its exploration in virtual reality (as long as a compatible headset is connected).
The examples section allows loading a wide number of figures from its database, and as an alternative, the simulator supports importing designs in FOLD or SVG format.
Visual Limitations
The representation of the figures has some rendering and clipping errors (in both Firefox and Chrome), but it's nothing serious. It's a pity that Origami Simulator doesn't include step-by-step tutorials, however, I think it could become a very useful tool for any enthusiast.
