GTA V Ammu-Nation Gun Shop Papercraft Revisited Test Build Almost Finished

The test build of the new version of the Ammu-Nation Gun Shop is almost complete and, this time, I gathered several photos showing a little more of the whole process, from the separate walls to the finished building standing on its base.

In some of the photos I placed a few 1/64 scale die-cast cars next to the model, including in the first image of this post. This is the classic scale used by many miniatures from Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Majorette, GreenLight, Johnny Lightning, Tomica and many others, and since the first version of this Ammu-Nation, back in 2015, one of my ideas was to create a small setting that could be used with this kind of miniature.

This test build had a very important purpose: to find out if everything I had redesigned on the computer would actually work when transferred to paper. After printing, cutting, folding, gluing and assembling each part, I can say that it does. All the pieces fit together perfectly, the proportions turned out as I expected and I found no structural problems that would require any major changes to the project.

It is particularly fun to see this model finished again because my relationship with GTA V goes back a long way. I have been playing the game practically since its release and have spent many, many hours exploring Los Santos and Blaine County, especially in GTA Online. After so much time, some places on the map become strangely familiar, almost like places in a city we actually know.

Curiously, it has been about a year since I last played GTA Online, but I think that break is coming to an end. October is almost here and anyone who has played GTA Online at this time of year knows that Halloween is one of the best times to return to Los Santos.

For a few weeks, the whole atmosphere of the game changes. UFOs begin appearing in the skies, driverless cars chase players along the roads, killers appear during the night and we can even run into a clone of our own character trying to kill us. There are also ghosts to find, pumpkins scattered around the map, special game modes, strange storms and several other surprises. Los Santos, which is not exactly a peaceful city to begin with, becomes even crazier.

I have always enjoyed the way Rockstar uses Halloween to play with the supernatural side of GTA Online. So, after almost a year away from the game, maybe this is a good excuse to bring my character out of retirement and take another drive around Los Santos. Who knows, perhaps this return will also provide some inspiration for a future papercraft?

Perhaps it is precisely because I am so familiar with the game world that I have always enjoyed turning some of its buildings into paper models. Rather than the big events of GTA V, it is often these ordinary places that catch my attention: a workshop, a garage, a warehouse, a neighborhood store or an Ammu-Nation discovered while driving around the map.

The first version of this Ammu-Nation was created in exactly this way, using images and textures that I captured directly inside GTA V. Eleven years later, it has been very interesting to return to the same building with different resources and rebuild practically all of the graphics, trying to improve the textures and add details without losing the simplicity of the original model.

Now that I know the construction works as it should and, most importantly, that all the pieces fit together perfectly, I can dedicate myself to the next stage: preparing the final templates. I will organize the parts, make the last graphic adjustments and try to make everything as clear and simple as possible for assembly.

I still have a few ideas for small things that I might add to the model before the final version, but for now nothing has been decided. As often happens with my projects, some ideas appear just when I think everything is already finished.

As soon as everything is ready, I will publish the model here on the blog for everyone who wants to build their own Ammu-Nation Gun Shop.

Aos amigos de língua portuguesa: Para não deixar este post excessivamente longo e manter as fotos da montagem intercaladas com o texto, desta vez publiquei aqui a versão completa em inglês. O texto integral em português, acompanhado de todas as fotos, está disponível no meu blog secundário no link abaixo:

GTA V Ammu-Nation Gun Shop Papercraft Revisitada - Montagem de Teste Quase Concluída

If you would like to see how this project started and follow the Ammu-Nation rebuild from the beginning, take a look at the first two posts below.

GTA V - Ammu-Nation Gun Shop Papercraft Remastered - Work In Progress

GTA V Ammu-Nation Gun Shop Papercraft Revisited - First Test Build

A Beautiful Five-Story Pagoda Architectural Papercraft by Mandee Thomas

This beautiful papercraft of a pagoda was created by American graphic designer Mandee Thomas, from the website Designs by Miss Mandee.

If you have been following Papermau for some time, you may already be familiar with Mandee's work, as several of her models have appeared here on the blog, including her beautiful Victorian Doll House and the detailed Christmas Village Town Hall.

This time, Mandee found inspiration in traditional Asian architecture to create this elegant five-story pagoda, with its characteristic overlapping roofs, curved eaves and a silhouette that immediately evokes the ancient architecture of the East.

Despite the detailed appearance of the finished model, the construction is relatively simple. As with many of Mandee's projects, the shapes are very well planned and the pieces are assembled in layers, creating a very convincing three-dimensional result without requiring complicated papercraft techniques.

Mandee usually designs her projects so they can be made either by hand, using scissors and a craft knife, or with electronic cutting machines such as Cricut, Silhouette and similar equipment. So, even if you don't own one of these machines, you can still build the pagoda using the templates as patterns for traditional hand cutting.

The download is easy and safe. Right at the beginning of Mandee's post, immediately below the first image, you will find the link to download the templates for free, hosted directly on Google Drive.

On the same page there is also a very useful step-by-step tutorial with photos showing the different stages of construction. The pictures make it much easier to understand how the walls, the different levels and especially the overlapping roofs should be folded, positioned and assembled.

Since the templates were designed to be cut from papers in different colors, you can completely change the appearance of the pagoda by choosing your own color combination. You can also use textured, printed or patterned papers to create a completely personalized version. Another possibility is to print the templates on plain white paper and color the pieces any way you like before assembling them.

This is a beautiful project for anyone who enjoys papercraft and miniature architecture, and once finished, it can be used as a decorative piece or as the centerpiece of a small Asian-inspired diorama.

Este belo papercraft de um pagode foi criado pela designer gráfica norte-americana Mandee Thomas, autora do site Designs by Miss Mandee.

Quem acompanha o Papermau há algum tempo provavelmente já conhece o trabalho de Mandee, pois vários de seus modelos já apareceram aqui no blog, incluindo sua bela Casa de Bonecas Vitoriana e a detalhada Prefeitura de Vila Natalina.

Desta vez, Mandee buscou inspiração na arquitetura tradicional asiática para criar este elegante pagode de cinco andares, com seus característicos telhados sobrepostos, beirais curvados e uma silhueta que imediatamente remete às antigas construções orientais.

Apesar da aparência detalhada do modelo pronto, a construção é relativamente simples. Como acontece com muitos dos projetos de Mandee, as formas são muito bem planejadas e as peças são montadas em camadas, criando um resultado tridimensional bastante convincente sem exigir técnicas complicadas de modelismo em papel.

Mandee costuma preparar seus projetos de maneira que possam ser feitos tanto com corte manual, usando tesoura e estilete, quanto com máquinas de corte eletrônico, como Cricut, Silhouette e equipamentos semelhantes. Assim, mesmo quem não possui uma dessas máquinas pode montar o pagode utilizando os templates como moldes para o corte tradicional.

O download é fácil e seguro. Logo no começo do post de Mandee, imediatamente abaixo da primeira imagem, você encontrará o link para baixar gratuitamente os templates, hospedados diretamente no Google Drive.

Na mesma página há também um ótimo tutorial passo a passo com fotos mostrando as diferentes etapas da construção. As imagens ajudam bastante a entender como as paredes, os vários níveis e principalmente os telhados sobrepostos devem ser dobrados, posicionados e montados.

Como os templates foram pensados para serem recortados em papéis de diferentes cores, você pode mudar completamente a aparência do pagode escolhendo sua própria combinação de cores. Também é possível usar papéis texturizados, estampados ou com diferentes padrões, criando uma versão totalmente personalizada. Outra possibilidade é imprimir os templates em folhas de papel branco e colorir as peças do jeito que quiser antes da montagem.

É um belo projeto para quem gosta de papercraft e arquitetura em miniatura e, depois de pronto, pode servir como peça decorativa ou como elemento central de um pequeno diorama de inspiração oriental.

Visit Designs by Miss Mandee to download the free templates and follow the complete step-by-step photo instructions:

A Beautiful Five-Story Pagoda Architectural Papercraft - by Mandee Thomas

If you enjoyed building this beautiful pagoda, below you will find four more architectural papercrafts inspired by Japan and the Far East:

01: A Little Papercraft Collection Of Japanese Temples And Shrines

02: New Traditional Japanese Architectural Paper Models In 1/150 And 1/87 Scales - by Brother Japan

03: Kishibe Shrine Main Hall Paper Model - by Suita City Museum

04: The Shrine - A Simple Paper Stage For Figure Shooting & Exhibition - by Japan System Art

Heavy Railway Signal Gantry Detailed Papercraft In 1/25 Scale by Paweł Adamowicz

This is one of those paper models that will probably attract the attention of railway, diorama and industrial structure enthusiasts even more than those who are simply looking for locomotives and railway cars.

Available from the Polish website PKP Repo, this papercraft created by Paweł Adamowicz reproduces, in 1/25 scale, a Pomost Sygnałowy Ciężki, which can be roughly translated as a heavy railway signal gantry or signal bridge.

It is a large elevated metal structure supported by a lattice tower and accessed by a long staircase. The upper platform has railings and space for the installation of signaling equipment. It is exactly the kind of structure that can help transform a railway layout into a complete little scene instead of simply placing a train on some tracks.

What caught my attention most about this model was the amount of structural detail. The tower is made up of beams, crossbars and diagonal braces, while the staircase has its own supports and railings. The walkway also features separate side beams, flooring and railings. When everything is assembled, the whole structure has that complex and very convincing appearance of old steel railway structures.

Although it is made of paper, this certainly does not look like a project for a single afternoon. There are many narrow parts, internal cuts and elements that need to remain straight during assembly. On the other hand, precisely because of the 1/25 scale, many of these small details can actually be built instead of simply being represented by printed textures.

I can also see a lot of potential here for those who enjoy building dioramas. Even without creating a complete railway layout, this structure could become the main element of a small railway or industrial scene, accompanied by a few sections of track, vegetation, utility poles, a small maintenance building and perhaps some figures in the same scale.

The images I prepared to illustrate this post help to visualize what the structure may look like when assembled. They are visual reconstructions based on the paper model and are not photographs of an actual finished build, something I think is important to make clear.

PKP Repo is an especially interesting website for those who enjoy Polish railways, bringing together material related to locomotives, railway cars, signaling equipment and other railway structures. This model is a great example of how the hobby can go far beyond the trains themselves.

For those who enjoy technical papercrafts, industrial architecture or are planning to build a detailed railway diorama, it is well worth visiting PKP Repo and taking a closer look at this project.

Este é um daqueles modelos de papel que provavelmente chama mais a atenção de quem gosta de ferrovias, dioramas e estruturas industriais do que de quem procura simplesmente locomotivas e vagões.

Disponibilizado pelo site polonês PKP Repo, este papercraft criado por Paweł Adamowicz reproduz em escala 1/25 um Pomost Sygnałowy Ciężki, que podemos traduzir aproximadamente como uma ponte ou passarela pesada de sinalização ferroviária.

Trata-se de uma grande estrutura metálica elevada, sustentada por uma torre treliçada e acessível por uma longa escadaria. A plataforma superior possui guarda-corpos e espaço para a instalação dos equipamentos de sinalização. É exatamente o tipo de estrutura que ajuda a transformar uma maquete ferroviária em uma pequena cena completa, em vez de simplesmente colocar um trem sobre alguns trilhos.

O que mais me chamou a atenção neste modelo foi a quantidade de detalhes estruturais. A torre é formada por vigas, travessas e reforços cruzados, enquanto a escada possui seus próprios suportes e corrimãos. A passarela também apresenta vigas laterais, piso e guarda-corpos separados. Quando tudo está montado, o conjunto tem aquela aparência complexa e bastante convincente das antigas estruturas ferroviárias de aço.

Apesar de ser feito de papel, certamente não parece ser um projeto para uma tarde. Há muitas peças estreitas, recortes internos e elementos que precisam permanecer retos durante a montagem. Por outro lado, justamente por causa da escala 1/25, vários desses pequenos detalhes podem ser realmente construídos em vez de apenas representados por texturas impressas.

Também vejo bastante potencial para quem gosta de dioramas. Mesmo sem construir uma ferrovia completa, esta estrutura poderia servir como peça principal de uma pequena cena ferroviária ou industrial, acompanhada por alguns trilhos, vegetação, postes, uma pequena construção de manutenção e talvez algumas figuras na mesma escala.

As imagens que preparei para ilustrar este post ajudam a visualizar como a estrutura poderá parecer depois de montada. Elas são reconstruções visuais baseadas no modelo de papel e não fotografias de uma montagem real, algo que acho importante deixar claro.

O PKP Repo é um site especialmente interessante para quem gosta de ferrovias polonesas, reunindo material relacionado a locomotivas, vagões, sinalização e outras estruturas ferroviárias. Este modelo é um ótimo exemplo de como o hobby pode ir muito além dos próprios trens.

Para quem gosta de papercrafts técnicos, arquitetura industrial ou pretende construir um diorama ferroviário detalhado, vale a pena visitar o PKP Repo e dar uma boa olhada neste projeto.

Visit PKP Repo to learn more about this impressive railway structure and download the templates to build your own 1/25 scale model:

Heavy Railway Signal Gantry Papercraft In 1/25 Scale - by Paweł Adamowicz

Below you will find four more railway-themed papercrafts, with signal towers, trackside structures and other models perfect for train layouts and dioramas:

01: Interlocking Tower Paper Model For Train Sets, Dioramas And Wargames - by Projekt Bastelbogen

02: 2018`s New Paper Models For Railway Dioramas In 1/76 Scale - by Wordsworth Model Railway

03: Build Your Own Railway Network Papercraft - by West Japan Railway

04: A Crossing Tower Papercraft In Two Scales For Railroad Layouts And Dioramas - by Clever Models

GTA V Ammu-Nation Gun Shop Papercraft Revisited - First Test Build

After showing some first images of the new version of the Ammu-Nation Gun Shop, inspired by GTA V, a few days ago, I finally started one of the stages I enjoy most when creating a papercraft: building the first prototype.

For those who did not see the previous post, this model is a remake of an old Ammu-Nation papercraft that I created and published here on the blog in 2015. Eleven years later, I decided to return to the project, reworking almost all the graphics, adding new details and at the same time trying to preserve the simplicity of the original construction.

The photos in this post show the first steps of this test build. This is the stage when I find out if what worked on the computer screen also works in the real world, after being printed, cut, folded and glued.

So far, everything is going exactly as planned. The parts are fitting together correctly, the proportions look good and I have not found any apparent problems during the build.

I am also very pleased with the result of the new printed textures. The facade still has that aged and weathered appearance, but now with much more vivid colors. The small signs and notices, the door, the window and the sandbags also kept a good level of definition even at this size.

The door and window are separate pieces from the main facade, creating a little depth without making the assembly unnecessarily complicated. It is a simple detail, but it makes quite a difference when we see the finished model.

I think those who usually build papercrafts by gluing the pieces directly onto thicker cardboard and eliminating the tabs will also enjoy this model. With this type of construction, the thickness of the cardboard itself can be used to create the depth of the doors, windows and other elements of the facade.

Another possibility, for those who want to add even more relief, is to print some parts more than once and use a kind of slicing technique, cutting out selected elements and gluing them successively in layers. In this way, signs, doors, windows, frames and other small details can be highlighted, creating different levels of depth and real shadows on the facade.

For these photos I placed a few 1/64 scale cars next to the prototype. Besides helping to show the actual size of the model, they give a good idea of how I intend to use this Ammu-Nation: as a backdrop for Hot Wheels-style miniatures and as part of small urban dioramas.

The build is not finished yet, so I will continue documenting the process as the building takes its final shape. If everything continues to go as smoothly as it has so far, I believe no major changes to the templates will be necessary.

After eleven years, it is really fun to see this old Ammu-Nation taking shape again on my workbench. Little by little, a model created in 2015 is getting a new life in 2026.

More photos of the build coming soon.

Depois de mostrar há alguns dias as primeiras imagens da nova versão da Ammu-Nation Gun Shop, inspirada em GTA V, finalmente comecei uma das etapas que mais gosto quando crio um papercraft: a montagem do primeiro protótipo.

Para quem não viu o post anterior, este modelo é uma reformulação de um antigo papercraft da Ammu-Nation que criei e publiquei aqui no blog em 2015. Onze anos depois, resolvi voltar ao projeto, refazendo praticamente toda a parte gráfica, acrescentando novos detalhes e ao mesmo tempo tentando preservar a simplicidade da construção original.

As fotos deste post mostram os primeiros passos dessa montagem de teste. É nesta etapa que descubro se aquilo que funcionava na tela também funciona no mundo real, depois de impresso, cortado, dobrado e colado.

Até agora tudo está correndo exatamente como previsto. As peças estão encaixando corretamente, as proporções parecem boas e não encontrei nenhum problema aparente durante a montagem.

Também fiquei bastante satisfeito com o resultado das novas texturas impressas. A fachada continua com aquele aspecto envelhecido e desgastado, mas agora com cores muito mais vivas. As pequenas placas e avisos, a porta, a janela e os sacos de areia também mantiveram uma boa definição mesmo neste tamanho.

A porta e a janela são peças separadas da fachada principal, criando um pouco de profundidade sem tornar a montagem desnecessariamente complicada. É um detalhe simples, mas que faz bastante diferença quando vemos o modelo montado.

Acho que aqueles que costumam montar papercrafts colando as peças diretamente sobre cartão mais grosso e eliminando as abas também vão gostar deste modelo. Nesse tipo de montagem, a própria espessura do cartão pode ser aproveitada para criar a profundidade das portas, janelas e outros elementos da fachada.

Outra possibilidade, para quem quiser acrescentar ainda mais relevo, é imprimir algumas partes mais de uma vez e usar uma espécie de técnica de fatiamento, recortando determinados elementos e colando-os sucessivamente em camadas. Assim é possível destacar placas, portas, janelas, molduras e outros pequenos detalhes, criando diferentes níveis de profundidade e sombras reais na fachada.

Para estas fotos coloquei alguns carrinhos em escala 1/64 ao lado do protótipo. Além de ajudarem a mostrar o tamanho real do modelo, eles dão uma ideia de como pretendo usar esta Ammu-Nation: como cenário para miniaturas no estilo Hot Wheels e como parte de pequenos dioramas urbanos.

A montagem ainda não terminou, então continuarei documentando o processo conforme o prédio for tomando sua forma definitiva. Se tudo continuar correndo como até agora, acredito que não serão necessárias grandes alterações nos templates.

Depois de onze anos, é muito divertido ver esta velha Ammu-Nation tomando forma novamente sobre minha mesa. Aos poucos, um modelo criado em 2015 está ganhando uma nova vida em 2026.

Mais fotos da montagem em breve.

Build Your Own Seagull - A Fun Papercraft To Color And Dress Up by Krokotak

Krokotak, a Russian educational website for kids, has appeared many times here on the blog, and I have always liked the projects from this website because they start with very simple ideas and leave a good part of the work to children's imagination.

This friendly seagull is a great example. At first glance, it may look like just another easy papercraft to cut out and assemble, but the idea goes a little beyond simply putting the model together.

The template is provided in black and white, so even before assembling it, each child can decide what their seagull will look like. There are no right or wrong colors. Colored pencils, crayons, markers or paint can be used to create any combination they like.

And then comes the most amusing part. The seagull also works as a kind of dress-up paper toy, since the template includes several accessories that can be cut out, colored and combined in different ways.

There is a woolly hat, a beret, a scarf, a bandana, glasses and even little fish to complete the character. Using exactly the same template, one child can create a sailor seagull, another can make a beret-wearing artist, another a cool seagull with dark glasses, and so on.

The photos in this post show the possibilities very well. By changing only the colors and accessories, each seagull gets a completely different personality. And there is nothing stopping children from inventing new accessories using scraps of paper, such as hats, ties, bags or anything else their imagination suggests.

The base itself is also part of the fun, creating a small setting for the bird while allowing the finished model to stand upright. In the end, we have something almost like a little paper character with its own tiny piece of beach.

Besides being fun, this activity brings several things together in a single project: coloring, cutting, assembling, combining shapes and colors and, most importantly, creating something personal. If several children make the same model, it is very unlikely that any two seagulls will look exactly alike.

As with so many other Krokotak projects that have already appeared here on Papermau, the idea is simple, accessible and does not require any special materials. Paper, scissors, glue and something to color with are practically all that is needed.

So print the template, spread some pencils and markers across the table and let each little artist create their own seagull. I think the most interesting part will be discovering what kind of character appears at the end.

O Krokotak, um site deducativo russo para crianças, já apareceu muitas vezes aqui no blog e eu sempre gostei dos projetos desse site porque eles partem de ideias muito simples e deixam uma boa parte do trabalho para a imaginação das crianças.

Esta simpática gaivota é um ótimo exemplo disso. À primeira vista parece apenas mais um papercraft fácil de recortar e montar, mas a proposta vai um pouco além da simples montagem.

O template é oferecido em preto e branco e, antes mesmo da montagem, cada criança pode decidir como será sua gaivota. Não existem cores certas ou erradas. Vale usar lápis de cor, giz de cera, canetinhas ou tinta e inventar a combinação que quiser.

E depois vem a parte mais divertida. A gaivota funciona também como uma espécie de dress-up paper toy, pois o template traz vários acessórios que podem ser recortados, coloridos e combinados de diferentes maneiras.

Tem gorro, boina, lenço, bandana, óculos e até peixinhos para completar o personagem. Assim, usando exatamente o mesmo template, uma criança pode criar uma gaivota marinheira, outra pode fazer uma artista de boina, outra uma gaivota de óculos escuros e por aí vai.

As fotos desta postagem mostram muito bem as possibilidades. Mudando apenas as cores e os acessórios, cada gaivota ganha uma personalidade completamente diferente. E nada impede que as crianças inventem novos acessórios em pedaços de papel, como chapéus, gravatas, bolsas ou qualquer outra coisa que a imaginação mandar.

A própria base também faz parte da brincadeira, formando um pequeno cenário para a ave e fazendo com que o modelo pronto fique em pé. No final, temos quase um pequeno personagem de papel com seu próprio pedacinho de praia.

Além de divertida, é uma atividade que reúne várias coisas em um único projeto: colorir, recortar, montar, combinar formas e cores e, principalmente, criar algo pessoal. Se várias crianças fizerem o mesmo modelo, dificilmente duas gaivotas ficarão iguais.

Como acontece com tantos outros projetos do Krokotak que já passaram pelo Papermau, a proposta é simples, acessível e não exige materiais especiais. Papel, tesoura, cola e alguma coisa para colorir são praticamente tudo o que é necessário.

Então imprima o template, espalhe os lápis e canetinhas pela mesa e deixe cada pequeno artista criar a sua própria gaivota. Acho que a parte mais interessante será justamente descobrir que tipo de personagem vai aparecer no final.

Visit Krokotak, print the template and create your own unique seagull by choosing the colors, clothes and accessories you like best:

Build Your Own Seagull - A Fun Papercraft To Color And Dress Up - by Krokotak

Below you will find four more fun animal papercrafts for kids, with cute paper toys to color, build and play with:

01: A Cinnamon Cat Paper Toy For Kids - by The Toy Maker

02: Easy-To-Build Pigeon Paper Toy - by Made In Paperland

03: Ocean Craft - A Little Whale Paper Model For Kids - by Krokotak

04: Bunny On A Sled Decorative Paper Toy For Kids - by Ayelet Keshet