3D printed mirror array (github.com)

Article summary

The article describes a project where a person designed and 3D printed a mirror array to propose to their partner. The mirror array is angled to reflect sunlight onto the ground, spelling out a message. The project involved computing the mirror angles, generating a 3D model of the mirror frame, and printing the frame. The author also developed an algorithm to optimally match targets to mirrors, allowing for a wider tolerance in the distance and orientation of the structure.

Main themes

• 3D printing
• mirror array
• public art
• virtual reality
• technological innovation
• social commentary

What commenters say

• Using servos or other mechanisms to make the mirrors adjustable could allow for real-time changes to the projected image.
• The mirror system is elegant and direct, but using beam formers and DLPs could make it more complicated and less aesthetically pleasing.
• The project has potential applications in street art and public installations, but may require permission and could be subject to removal or censorship.
• Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies have the potential to be both beneficial and oppressive, and their impact will depend on how they are developed and used.
• The use of technology to create interactive and dynamic public installations can be a powerful tool for artistic expression and social commentary.
• The mirror array project demonstrates the potential of 3D printing and other technologies to create innovative and engaging public art.
• There are concerns about the potential for virtual reality and other technologies to be used for control and oppression, rather than for the benefit of society.
• The development of virtual reality and other technologies should prioritize accessibility, egalitarianism, and the potential for positive social impact.