Animated Mechanical and Optical Illusion Paper Models
Free paper models that are animated/mechanical. Amazing machines made of paper, paper gears and mechanics...
Barnacle Press - Mechanical papercraft toy puppets originally from the LA Times Junior Times section in the 1920s. Oscar the Owl, Rollo the Rookie, Halfback Harry, Tom and Jerry to name just a few.
Canon - In Science/Universe: a Moving Copernican & Ptolemaic System. In Toys: a Flip animation wheel with changable animation cards.
Canon, Japan Circus World - Several circus theme animated paper toys.
Flip book - Simple flip book of a cosmic kangaroo by artist Alison Hopkins.
Flying Pig Free Paper Models - The Curious Cuckoo Whistle, Snap-Up Heart, Which Came First paper models by Rob Ives.
Paper Engineer's Workshop - Very nice free mechanical 2 page PDF paper models of: Angel, Song Choir, Sheep, Turkey.
Paperpino - Talented artist with a number of very clever paper models including: Rolling Reels Circus, Flying Santa, Peace Dove, Bush Oil.
Paper Puzzle Parade - Pneumatic Paper Model Rocket that actually flies and a Zoetrope
Ravensblight Mechanical Bat - Very nice 8 page cam and piston animated paper model of bat.
Sasatoku Printing - Navigation is at top. Animated paper models of a Mole, Woodpecker, Horse, Seal, Monkey and Waving Lucky Cat. Very nice paper model design work.
Sharp Pencil Quality Television - See the movies Kill Bill, Dr. Strangelove or Dirty Harry on your very own portable paper TV powered by two pencils, very clever.
Train with Layout and Wood Pecker - Very nice animated paper models offered by Shitara dam construction office
Walter Ruffler - Animated paper models of a Duck's Pond, Christmas Angel and Mr. Deer at bottom of page.
Optical Illusion Paper Models
Dragon Optical Illusion - I love this great illusion by Hendrik Ball that inspired all the paper models below!
FrankenPaper Head-in-a-Box Illusion - This is one of my own paper models. This is a challenging build but the effect is well worth it. Frankenstein seems to turn his head to follow you as you walk past.
David Church - Haunted Hallways illusion. Enter via the red button then go to Papercrafts at top.
The Moving Sculpture Illusion - It really looks like this skeleton is turning his head to follow you! Easy build, I love this great effect!
Yoda with Follow Me Eyes - This was my first illusion model. Yodas' eyes appear to follow you as you walk past him.
Automata - All about paper model automata. In addition to the history, they discuss mechanisms, designing, tools and constructions techniques. And don't forget to see their gallery. Their work ranges from card stock and cardboard to wood.
Cabaret Mechanical Theater - For the most part this site is about wooden automata. But most of the ideas translate to paper as well. They do show the motion of the Geneva Mechanism. They also sell a very nice wooden prototyping kit for sale.
Flying Pig The most complete illustrated guide to paper model mechanical motion that I have found.
Mechanism - I think this is one cool web site. If you want to build any type of paper model automata, you will want to spend time here.
Paper Mechanics / Automata by Walter Ruffler - A discussion of the principals of paper model mechanics.
