Fluttering Heart - animated papercraft model

Another clever animated model from Rob Ives. Here is the idea: the heart model folds flat so it can be placed into a card. When the card is opened the heart will pop out and 'flutter' to the amazement of the recipient.

Check out this fluttering heart papercraft model.

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Walter Ruffler paper automata at Flying Pig

Flying Pig paper animations has announced the addition of paper automata by Walter Ruffler to their website. There are twenty seven models from which to choose.

Shown at left is Ruffler's model title "Off Road".

Visit this section of the Flying Pig web site for the full line of Walter Ruffler paper automata kits.

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Classic monsters paper automata series

Just in time for Halloween, Flying Pig Paper Animation Kits has an entire series of paper automata featuring classic monsters. The series was designed by artist Ng Wing Him.

The paper automata monsters:

•Dracula
•Frankenstein
•Mummy
•Wolfman
•Reaper

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The Dog Ate My Homework paper automaton

The latest fun paper animation kit from Rob Ives: The Dog Ate My Homework.

Like his other offerings, this model comes as a downloadable file that you print onto thin card-stock with your printer. Once printed, you then cut out the parts and follow the illustrated instructions to make the animated model.

The color version can be purchased now for a modest price. A free, uncolored version will be available on October 20th.

Here's the link for The Dog Ate My Homework paper automaton.

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Reindeer Ride paper automaton kit downloads

Here is the latest paper automaton creation by Rob Ives, called Reindeer Ride. There are two versions of this one. The colored version costs the usual £2.50 GBP (about $4 US dollars). The uncolored version is a completely free download! This could be a great holiday project for you or the kids.

Also, be sure to check out Rob's Workshop Notes blog in its new home of http://www.robives.com/blog. He posts to it most days about the fascinating process of creating paper automata.

Here is where you can get the Reindeer Ride paper animation kits.

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Too Much Coffee - paper automaton kit

Here is a short video of Rob Ives's latest paper animation kit called "Too Much Coffee". I feel for this guy; I've been there!

Here is the link for purchasing and downloading the files for the Too Much Coffee automaton.

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Fly Pterosaur paper automaton you can make

From the ingenius mind of Rob Ives at Flying-Pig Paper Animation Kits, here is a fun model for you to purchase, download, print out, and make.

From the Flying-pig.co.uk website:

Turn the handle on the box and the Pterosaur flaps his wings to fly, just like they used to do in prehistoric times.The model used a cam shaft and four bar linkage to to make the wings flap and the Pterosaur rise up and down.

Here's the link to the Pterosaur paper automaton page.

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Cupid, Robot and Grumpy Goat Downloads

For a limited time, Rob Ives of Flying-Pig Paper Animations Kits, is offering three of his downloadable kits for one special price.

You can get the files to download and make a cupid, grumpy goat, AND robot (shown here) for £4.99 GBP or a little over $7 USD.

After February, these three kits will only be available printed form.

Here's a link to the Cupid, Robot, Grumpy Goat package deal.

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Gizmos -- The best paper automata deal around!

I made a huge oversight in my recommendations for mechanical toys. The Gizmos kit gives you everything you need to make eight Rob Ives models. For one very affordable price, you get:

• A 144-page book with an introduction to automata and the simple mechanisms
• A pre-made pop-up frog ready to jump
• Punch-out parts for two snap-up models
• Complete punch-out parts to create six fully animated paper machines: Die Fledermaus, Mouthy Moose, Schrodinger's Cat, Shrimp Boat, Surf Bunny, and Marching Robot
• Reusable templates for each of the model parts, to get you started on future projects

Gizmos is a great way to learn basic mechanical principles and paper-engineering techniques.

Here's a link to Gizmos by Rob Ives

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Paperanimations.com for paper automaton kits

Paperanimations.com offers paper automaton kits from Rob Ives, Walter Ruffler, and Keisuke Saka. Shown here is Saka's delightful penguin automaton design.

From the Paper Animatins site:

Making paper animations and static paper models (such as buildings, planes, cars and animals) is a thriving hobby in Europe and Asia. Such paper crafting is just now catching on in the USA. Paper animations enjoys an increasingly wider following among teachers and students who use the models to explore the basics of mechanical movement.

Visit Paper Animations to see all of the paper automata kits they offer.

Paper Engineering & Pop-ups for Dummies Book

Great News! A brand new book from Rob Ives -- master of paper automata and engineering -- is due out early next year.

From the Book Description:
Paper Engineering & Pop-ups For Dummies covers a wide range of projects, from greeting cards to freestanding models. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and dozens of accompanying diagrams help readers not only to complete the diverse projects in the book, but also master the skills necessary to apply their own creativity and create new projects, beyond the book's pages.

This is sure to be a great resource for anyone interested in making automata, paper or otherwise. A satisfying art in itself, paper engineering can also be a great method of learning about automata or testing designs before creating them in wood or metal.

Check out Paper Engineering & Pop-ups For Dummies by Rob Ives.

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Gizmos: New Paper Automata Kit from Rob Ives!

The unstoppable Rob Ives has a new paper automaton set called Gizmos.

From Barnes & Nobel:
"Everything You Need to Make Amazing Paper Machines!

Automata are animated toys that use several basic mechanisms to come alive—and they're made completely out of paper! Using the ingenious punch-out designs included in Gizmos, you can assemble six enchanting automata by designer Rob Ives—and when you've mastered the fundamental techniques, you can create new designs of your own.

Gizmos includes:
* A pre-made pop-up frog ready to jump right out of the box!
* Pre-stamped punch-out parts for two snap-up models that are perfect for first-time builders
* Complete punch-out parts to create six full-color, fully animated paper machines: Die Fledermaus, Mouthy Moose, Schrödinger’s Cat, Shrimp Boat, Surf Bunny, and Marching Robot
* A 144-page book with an introduction to automata and the simple mechanisms—cranks, cams, and levers—that give them life; easy-to-follow instructions to make eight Rob Ives models; and handy reusable templates for each of the model parts, to get you started on future projects

Gizmos is a fascinating way to learn about basic mechanical principles as well as a guide to paper-crafting techniques that will enable you to design and build paper toys that capture the imagination!"


Eight models for under $15...that's a good deal. Check out Gizmos by Rob Ives at Barnes and Nobel.

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Paper Mechanism Multi-pack Downloads Kits

Rob Ives over at Flying Pig has created a pack of three models for one price.

If you are interested in paper engineering or paper automata, this is a great value. It's also a great way to break into automata, requiring few tools and relatively little time.

The first is the gear model that uses only cardboard to make a fully working mechanism with two gears.

The second model is a working set of bevel gears made completely from card-stock paper.

Pump the paper bellows on the third model and the rotor spins.

Head over the download section of Flying-pig.co.uk to check out this multi-pack kit and a ton of other well-designed paper automaton kits.

Animated Cupid Automaton for Valentine's Day

Want to make an impression on Valentine's Day this year? Forget the card...make an animated paper automaton!

From the Flying Pig Site:
Romance and engineering in perfect harmony. Turn the handle on this delightful new model and cupid flies. Make a model for your one true love!

This is a downloadable kit. Once you purchase the kit, you download it and print it on to heavy paper (or card stock if your printer can handle it). You then just follow the instructions to cut and glue the model together. The time and effort you spend will show you really care.

Check out this and other amazing animated paper kits at Flying Pig.

Paper Engineering Blog by Rob Ives

Rob Ives, the genius behind Flying Pig Animation Kits (automata made of paper), has started a blog that chronicles his development process.

Entitled simply Workshop Notes, the blog posts cover his new models, models in the process of being created, his sources of inspiration, and other material of interest to paper engineers.

The picture above is of a nearly completed paper automaton called Counting Sheep.

Visit Workshop Notes to see what Rob Ives is working on now.

New Paper Automata Download Shop

Flying-Pig Paper Animation Kits has created a whole new storefront for their downloadable automata. He is offering many of his designs as downloads!

Make your own paper automaton:

STEP 1 - Purchase and download the design of your choice to your computer. Each kit comes as an acrobat file (PDF).

STEP 2 - Print out the illustrated instructions onto regular paper. Then, print the parts pages onto thin card stock.

STEP 3 - Score and cut out the pieces. Glue the parts together with white glue.

In a few hours time, you have your own working automaton!

Downloadable models are paid for using the secure PayPal, so you can order from anywhere in the world using any currency and your order will be with you in minutes.

As of now, there are almost 30 designs to choose from!

Paper Pirate Automaton

In keeping with all the pirate-based media in the air these days, you might want to check out this paper pirate automaton.

As with many of the models at Flying-pig.co.uk, this is a die cut model for you to pop out and glue together. Follow the fully illustrated instructions and, with an evening or two of your time and some white glue you can have this delightful model for your collection.

Check out Jolly Roger, paper automaton at Flying-pig.co.uk.

Animated Paper Elephant @ flying-pig.co.uk

The tireless Rob Ives has a new animated paper model for you...

From the site:
Download the model, print it out onto thin card on your own printer, carefully cut out the pieces, glue them together and, with a couple of hours of your time you'll have your own paper elephant. Rock the body back and forth and the elephant raises his trunk in a delightful way!


Here's the link to the Paper Elephant model page.

Flying Spaghetti Monster Automaton

Another funny paper automaton to download, print, and make. A wonderful creation from Rob Ives at flying-pig.co.uk.

From the site:
Turn the handle on this cardboard curiosity and the Flying Spaghetti Monster waves his noodly appendages. Let the pasta power of the FSM help with your tricky decisions, turn the handle and ask yourself "What would Flying Spaghetti Monster Do?"

Here's the link to the Flying Spaghetti Monster Automaton.

Another Logic Goat - The NOT Goat automaton

Rob Ives at flying-pig.co.uk has added to his offerings of Logic Goats that I posted about earlier. In addition to the AND and OR goats, he is now offering a NOT goat. In the case of the NOT goat, it only nods its head when you are NOT pushing the button on the front.

I really think there is the potential to build the world's first goat-based computer.

Here is the link on to the NOT Logic Goat automaton on the Flying Pig web site.

Goat / Logic Gates in Paper Automata Form

Here's a really interesting combination of expertise: logic gates (the basis of all computing and therefore computers) and paper automata.

Rob Ives -- another of the masters of paper automata -- has created Logic Goats. The OR goat will nod if you press either the first button or the second. The AND goat will only nod if you press the first and the second buttons.

If we could get a NAND and NOR goats and string them all together in complex chains, we might be able to build a Goat-based computer!

Check out, buy and download the Logic Goat Automata at the Flying Pig web site.