A formation detection system comprising: one or more sensors located above a sheet of paper, located below the sheet of paper, or both and one or more lights that illuminate all or a portion of the sheet of paper passing by the one or more sensors so that the one or more sensors monitor formation of the paper comprising: orientation of fibers within the sheet of paper, wherein the formation detection system is configured to monitor the sheet of paper before a press section, within the press section, before a dryer section, within the dryer section, after the dryer section, or a combination thereof of a paper machine; and wherein the one or more sensors are movable in a cross-machine direction across the sheet of paper within the paper machine.