Paperbus

"Paperbus" is an abbreviation for "Paperbus net", sometimes known as "Paperbus development nets". A paperbus is a two-dimensional graphical representation of a bus, laid out such that it can be printed on a single sheet of paper, or card, and folded into a basic three-dimensional model. The name 'paperbus' is derived from the most popular medium from which the model is made; however, the paperbus net is typically drawn up on a computer by various artists using graphical software.

A net, (more specifically in mathematics: a polyhedral net), is an arrangement of shapes in a single plane that can be folded to generate a three-dimensional polyhedron. The Paperbus variety are normally cuboid in form, with six sides, to represent the basic shape of a bus. More complex nets have been generated for various designs, most notably older half-cab buses, including the AEC Routemaster.

It is convention to orient the net so that the side bearing the passenger entry and exit doors (the nearside) are shown to be "upright" when viewed, so that right-hand drive vehicles have their fronts shown on the left, and left-hand drive vehicles have the front shown on the right. Commonly the front and rear are attached to the door-side, such that the net forms an inverted T-shape. However, it is not unknown for this to vary. Sometimes only one side of the bus, along with front and rear, are shown, with the roof and other side omitted. These are technically not nets, since they are incapable of forming a three-dimensional model.

Any net, paperbus or not, in practise needs a method of holding all the faces together. These are the tabs, which are extra surfaces designed to allow the faces to be attached, normally by glue. The tabs are designed to be folded out of sight. However, many designs do not incorporate these into the net, so they need to be added if the net is to be constructed. The underside of the bus tends not to be shown; if it is, the author's credits tend to appear there.

Nets are generally published in two forms - blank, with no livery applied to allow editing by individuals, or in livery: painted to match a real vehicle, or in a fictional manner, as often demonstrated by fictional paperbus companies (FPC).

Paperbuses are quite popular with bus enthusiasts in Hong Kong and China, but they also have a fanbase in both America and the United Kingdom.

The Harry Transit Group International (HTGI) is one of the biggest paperbus fanbases in the America. They have around five experienced modellers. Besides models of American buses, they also have paperbus of European coaches and Hong Kong double deckers.

Hong Kong Paper Models (HKPM) also has many paperbus modelling experts who have created high-quality paperbus models.

External links

* [http://www.owntheworld.co.uk OwnTheWorld.co.uk - Paperbuses and Fictional Companies]
* [http://www.haulin.co.uk Haulin.co.uk - Paperbuses, PaperTrucks, PaperTrains and Fictional Companies]
* [http://netjournal.homestead.com/files/pbc/ - Paperbuses North American and Asian countries]