A tool for creating crazy paper airplane designs (pictures)

On Tuesday, Autodesk Research will present a paper at the SIGGRAPH computer graphics conference that details a tool, known as Pteromys. The tool can optimize almost any user-created paper airplane design and make it flyable. Even a dragon.

Pteromys isn't publicly available and it's uncertain when, or if, it will be. But it's an example of the kind of interactive system, where users are guided by simulations inside tools, that people at the 3D design software company are creating. Autodesk hopes to soon have the tool on display at one of its technology workshops in San Francisco.

Read more: Can an armadillo paper airplane fly? Autodesk says yes

A computer rendering of a Pteromys-optimized paper airplane.

A paper airplane known as a "Twin," optimized by Pteromys after initial user input and folded after being laser cut on thick paper.

A user-designed armadillo paper airplane, in its early digital state, prior to optimization by Pteromys.

A look at how Pteromys automatically reflects user edits in its automatic optimization of a paper airplane, in this case an armadillo.

A screen shot of the Pteromys tool.

An armadillo paper airplane, standing up on a table.

A collection of paper airplanes designed using Pteromys.

A launcher used to launch Pteromys-designed paper airplanes into the air.

A bird-shaped paper airplane.

Read more: Can an armadillo paper airplane fly? Autodesk says yes