I designed this pop-up rainbow card to light up the sun whenever the card is opened. My favorite thing about it is the sliding switch mechanism that connects to the piece of paper that gives the rainbow its dimension.
To view my complete Rainbow Pop Up Card tutorial, which includes custom cut files that may be uploaded to a home fabrication machine, please visit the Chibitronics website.
Forgive me in advance if you are taken aback by my subject matter in this post, but sometimes art is the best way to wrangle with angst and uncertainty. In this case, making a presidential pop-up did the trick.
I created this beauty using the principles of Robert Sabuda's Frankenstein. I almost went so far as to make his comb-over pop-up as well, but diplomacy and my better angels won out.
And let's face it. The outcome could have been so much more disconcerting if I'd positioned the lights where his eyes are.
When a QR code in my book is scanned, this illuminated pop-up glows steadily while a LilyPad buzzer plays the tune "This Land is Your Land" (see video). While my subject matter may not be to everyone's liking, I take solace in the juxtaposition between a welcoming Woody Guthrie anthem (played on a tinny buzzer) and the image of a divisive wall.
My biggest take-away in constructing this pop-up was that paper circuitry may be used as more than just a tool of personal expression, but an instrument of political commentary. I found the experience cathartic.
From a technical perspective, conductive fabric works very well for pop-ups with folds that need to bend a lot.
I used conductive fabric tape in places where the copper needed to bend.
In the future, if I'm going to continue making illuminated pop-ups, I'll need to better design my books to accommodate the added bulk.
This is the back view of the pop-up, prior to being glued down
In my most recent experiment with paper circuit pop-ups, I scanned artwork from another page in my book and used it as a backdrop for a related image, a raised fist holding a pencil. The new piece packs far more punch than the original.
Chibitronics Circuit Stickers
I did a better job of concealing the copper leads this time.
I've been experimenting with creating light-up pop-ups, in a book controlled via a Photon microcontroller. I initially tried to light up both sides of the statue (and both sides of the book in her arms), but I ended up abandoning the idea after several failed attempts (and lots of short circuits). It had seemed easy in theory, but it was far more fiddly than I expected.
The copper tape, connected to the Photon, runs from the center of the book up the pop-up's arm.
Only one side of the statue lights up.
I used conductive fabric tape in the gutter.
In the end, I decided to illuminate one side the torch and a border around the pop-up. The torch flickers like a candle, while the border glows steadily.
I overlaid a fresh piece of paper with a cut-out for the pop-up.
I haven't decided whether I want to write on this or just leave it the way it is.
I have been following Jeannine Huffman's (and Jim Bock's) work of getting a servo to run on an ATtiny85. When she shared her process, I ordered the parts and got right to work! I used a TowerPro SG90 hobby motor that I ordered off of Amazon.
My servo moves smoothly for about 30 seconds, but then it sort of stalls out. It will start again if I turn it off and on again. I may have issue with my power supply. I am using 2 coin cell batteries.
Forgive me in advance if you are taken aback by my subject matter in this post, but sometimes art is the best way to wrangle with angst and uncertainty. In this case, making a presidential pop-up did the trick.
My biggest take-away in constructing this pop-up was that paper circuitry may be used as more than just a tool of personal expression, but an instrument of political commentary. I found the experience cathartic.
