Modular spiky balls


Models of this type are also automatically listed in: abstract modular, abstract, geometric, mathematical object, modular, multi-sheet, spiky balls

Modular spiky balls (sometimes also called 3D stars) are among the most popular shapes folded from multiple units.

This page lists models of a single type. You might be interested in folding instructions instead.
Spiked Icosahedron (WASS with color change)

Spiked Icosahedron (WASS with color change)

A spiked icosahedron made from my Weird Asymmetric Sonobe (WASS) unit variant with color change. Since the color change’s symmetry is not aligned with the sy...

Spiked Icosahedra from Three Sonobe Variants

Spiked Icosahedra from Three Sonobe Variants

Comparison of three related Sonobe variants of mine, from left to right: Paper Airplane Sonobe, Checkered Sonobe, and Bow-Tie Sonobe. Each icosahedron is fol...

Spiked Icosahedron (Paper Airplane Sonobe)

Spiked Icosahedron (Paper Airplane Sonobe)

Spiked Icosahedron made from my new Sonobe variant, Paper Airplane Sonobe. When you look at an individual unit before assembling the model, you can spot a re...

Aton Kusudama

Aton Kusudama

Aton Kusudama, variant A (many more are possible). Spiked icosahedron made from 30 units. Designed and folded by me. More variants are possible, some with in...

Spiked Octahedron (WSM)

Spiked Octahedron (WSM)

Spiked octahedron made from my Woven Slit Module (WSM), 48 units from 3:1 paper.

Hydrangea Icosahedron

Hydrangea Icosahedron

After I made a Hydrangea Cube, Hydrangea Icosahedron was the next logical step. Just as in the cube, the Hydrangea Tessellation by Shuzo Fujimoto is used as ...

Spiked Icosahedron (BBU D2)

Spiked Icosahedron (BBU D2)

The structure of this model is similar to spiked icosahedra made with variants of the Sonobe unit and other similar modules. However, in the case of BBU, a t...

Spiked Icosahedron (StEM)

Spiked Icosahedron (StEM)

In this model, each face of an icosahedron was replaced with a triangular pyramid made from three units.

Spiked Icosahedron (StEM face variant)

Spiked Icosahedron (StEM face variant)

The unit is a variant of an edge unit; I call usage like this the “face variant” since the unit covers a face rather than an edge of the solid. When I invent...

Spiked Octahedron (rotated link method)

Spiked Octahedron (rotated link method)

This model demonstrates the rotated link connection method that can be applied to SEU units folded from square paper, which can be considered a Sonobe varian...

Spiked Icosahedron (Sonobe link method)

Spiked Icosahedron (Sonobe link method)

This model demonstrates the Sonobe link connection method that can be applied to SEU units folded from square paper, which can be considered a Sonobe variant...

Spiked Icosahedron (SEU link method)

Spiked Icosahedron (SEU link method)

This model demonstrates the SEU link connection method that can be applied to SEU units folded from square paper, which can be considered a Sonobe variant. T...

Spiked Icosahedron

Spiked Icosahedron

I designed the simple unit used for this model and later learned that it had been already published before by Jose Arley Moreno.

Spiked Icosahedron (Sonobe variant)

Spiked Icosahedron (Sonobe variant)

I think this is my first Sonobe variant. Since it’s one of the simplest modifications possible, it has probably been independently discovered by many others.

Spiked Pentakisdodecahedron (Sonobe)

Spiked Pentakisdodecahedron (Sonobe)

There is one spike placed over two adjacent faces of the pentakisdodecahedron in this model. I haven’t checked if the angles actually add up, so it might be ...

Spiked Icosahedron (Trimodule)

Spiked Icosahedron (Trimodule)

Apart from this basic version, I also made a variant of this model which has additional “fins” on the icosahedron’s edges.

Spiked Icosahedron (Penultimate Unit)

Spiked Icosahedron (Penultimate Unit)

One way of looking at this model is to see it as an icosahedron with a pyramid placed on each triangular face. Another is seeing it as a dodecahedron where e...