hmmm there should be a thread on here somewhere or combination of threads explaining in detail each section and how best to approach each section as well as common difficulties, strategies, etc. SDN does have a search function up there^ but not sure how well it may work. but baisically each section follows some baisic rules.
in all cases, what you see is what you get so what looks like a cube IS a cube, there are no projections out the back you cant see. that doesnt mean however that just because a shape looks symetrical that it is like in cube counting. cubes not seen are only for structural support for a visible cube.
key hole: object must pass through the hole exactly, no gaps and must be to scale. think of it more as a silhouettes than a key hole. they can also pass though in any direction but can not be rotated while passing through the hole.
TFE:
front end of object is on the bottom of the top view
side view is always taken from the right side so the right side of front view corresponds to the end view.
only two types of lines
dotted lines represent edges not visible at that angle. solid lines represent visible edges
Angle Ranking: smallest to largest, no two angles in a problem are ever the same...self explanitory.
Hole Punching:
Hole is punched all the way though all layers at that spot.
dotted square represents original paper placement.
all folds are simple folds, that is, no butterfly folds like in origami.
i think all folds are out and over
cube counting:
only exposed surfaces will be "painted"
bottom surface is NOT exposed
the only cubes not visible are cubes required for support of a visible cube.
pattern folding, all folds are into the page and along designated lines.
i think thats the baisics of it, too late to be thinkning about this too much so i'll leav it at that.
as for how to study for it, practice Practice PRACTICE. you should eat, sleep, and dream the PAT...well maybe not that hardcore, but you get the point
