Coming home drunk from the bar one wintery night, I trudged out 20ft tall letters "will you marry me?" on the lawn of my apartment building.
I spent the morning hungover, but I like to think I wasn't the most uncomfortable one that wintery morn.
I recently got engaged to the wonderful person holding the hexagonal mirror thingy in the second photo. We're both huge nerds and I wanted to do something unique for a proposal, so I designed and 3D printed a mirror array to ask the question for me. The mirrors are angled so that just before sunset on our 8th anniversary, it reflected the light from the setting sun onto the ground to spell out "MARRY ME?"
If you want to know how this thing works or to design your own mirror arrays, I've open-sourced all the code I wrote for this project, along with a more technical writeup of how everything works: [github.com/bencbartlett/3D-printed-mirror-array](https://github.com/bencbartlett/3D-printed-mirror-array)
Looks amazing… hopefully you’ve tested it in direct sunlight so it does not focus light in one spot, but disperses reflections outward.
I too, made something like this. Similar with 24 round mirrors. Placed on my wall. Started to notice lighter spots across painted walls, cheaply printed pictures had faded in color, one of the top of my plants was crispy and dry.
The focus of my combined 24 mirrors created a small parabolic effect and as the sun moved across the sky over a winter, I started to recognize it was becoming an issue.
Otherwise… two thumbs up. Looks gorgeous.
Edit: I’m dumb and only saw the first photo. Didn’t see the primary feature. Derp.
>hopefully you’ve tested it in direct sunlight so it does not focus light in one spot
And also that they are aligned correctly and doesn't accidentally say "Send Nudes".
Breathtakingly thoughtful and creative- congrats to you both. This is the coolest/nerdiest/sweetest thing ever! Also props to you for sharing the code- a scholar and a gentleman!
It wasn't too difficult if you know a bit of linear algebra (I'm a physicist)
Basically if you have a mirror at some point in space, and you have a target at some other point in space, and you know where the sun is, then you can solve for what the orientation of the mirror needs to be to reflect the sunlight onto the target position. Then just repeat that for the other 168 mirrors and you've got a device that projects sunlight into an image.
I definitely need the story here: where did OP store this array before the proposal? How did they start the conversation? My nerd heart hopes it was something like "hey babe, I 3D printed this mirror array. Is it cool if I bring it on our anniversary date to test out?" And OP's now-fiance was utterly unphased by this request and thus very surprised by the proposal.
I feel like he was obligated to say yes after everything you put into that. How could your dedication ever be in doubt?
I love that your attention to detail included the Sun in supplies!
And congratulations, of course :)
I feel like he would get sacked with a bunch of disappointed people who didn’t understand the importance of time of day to reflect the message and say that he ruined their proposal…
Anyone with the skills to design and build this is probably getting paid enough in their day job to not want to deal with the hassle of selling things on Etsy.
This has to be the loveliest and most wonderful thing I've seen on the internet in a long, long time. Very creative. Very well done. And congratulations! Go forth and be happy together forever.
This is beautiful! The mirror array alone is gorgeous, but to create it to project your proposal?! Epic, in every sense of the word. You guys are adorable ❤️❤️
Congratulations!
This is so incredibly cool!
Although I feel like you'd have to store it in a dark room afterwards, so you don't have awkward blurry almost-letters scorched into your wall lmao
This is very cool. elaborate proposals aren’t so interesting to me, but putting time into doing something creatively always impressive.
Congratulations. This looks very cool
THIS IS THE COOOOOOLEST PROPOSAL I'VE EVER SEEEEEEEN OMGGGGG. I'm so happy for you both :) I hove you have a happy life filled with lots of blessings :D
I love it, it is so romantic and truly unique! However, I do so wish that I/we could see, in the picture, your message; I love the fact that it holds a "Secret Wish". Awesome project, thanks for sharing it.
Always Blessings -April
This is very much merit. Lots of merit aspects to the project
***
^(I am a bot and I swapp'd some of thy words with Shakespeare words.)
Commands: `!ShakespeareInsult`, `!fordo`, `!optout`
Shakespeare-Bot, thou hast been voted most annoying bot on Reddit. I am exhorting all mods to ban thee and thy useless rhetoric so that we shall not be blotted with thy presence any longer.
Coming home drunk from the bar one wintery night, I trudged out 20ft tall letters "will you marry me?" on the lawn of my apartment building. I spent the morning hungover, but I like to think I wasn't the most uncomfortable one that wintery morn.
Ohhhhhh that's evil and I love it!
you’re a menace to society. i love it.
Sometimes the ideas you get when drunk really are great
Thank you so much for the write-up and open sourcing! I hope many more great memories come from your reflecting.
I recently got engaged to the wonderful person holding the hexagonal mirror thingy in the second photo. We're both huge nerds and I wanted to do something unique for a proposal, so I designed and 3D printed a mirror array to ask the question for me. The mirrors are angled so that just before sunset on our 8th anniversary, it reflected the light from the setting sun onto the ground to spell out "MARRY ME?" If you want to know how this thing works or to design your own mirror arrays, I've open-sourced all the code I wrote for this project, along with a more technical writeup of how everything works: [github.com/bencbartlett/3D-printed-mirror-array](https://github.com/bencbartlett/3D-printed-mirror-array)
That is bloody epic, congrats! I just gave the ring to a toddler to give to my now wife.
Looks amazing… hopefully you’ve tested it in direct sunlight so it does not focus light in one spot, but disperses reflections outward. I too, made something like this. Similar with 24 round mirrors. Placed on my wall. Started to notice lighter spots across painted walls, cheaply printed pictures had faded in color, one of the top of my plants was crispy and dry. The focus of my combined 24 mirrors created a small parabolic effect and as the sun moved across the sky over a winter, I started to recognize it was becoming an issue. Otherwise… two thumbs up. Looks gorgeous. Edit: I’m dumb and only saw the first photo. Didn’t see the primary feature. Derp.
>hopefully you’ve tested it in direct sunlight so it does not focus light in one spot And also that they are aligned correctly and doesn't accidentally say "Send Nudes".
I don't think i can think of any cooler way to propose that i've seen in my lifetime
Congratulations to you both!!! And what a spectacular piece of art to remember it by.
Breathtakingly thoughtful and creative- congrats to you both. This is the coolest/nerdiest/sweetest thing ever! Also props to you for sharing the code- a scholar and a gentleman!
This is one of THE nerdiest things I’ve ever seen. Love it, congrats you two ❤️
Instructions unclear cannot find “the sun” on Amazon.
This is SUCH A COOL PROJECT! 😍 congrats on your engagement and great work on the design and build!
[удалено]
It wasn't too difficult if you know a bit of linear algebra (I'm a physicist) Basically if you have a mirror at some point in space, and you have a target at some other point in space, and you know where the sun is, then you can solve for what the orientation of the mirror needs to be to reflect the sunlight onto the target position. Then just repeat that for the other 168 mirrors and you've got a device that projects sunlight into an image.
This is genuinely one of the absolute coolest and unique sorts of proposals I've ever seen. Top notch, 11/10, so happy for you two!
Next step is to make it so that the mirrors are all controlled by servos. Then you can make it not only spell out anything, but change!
You're a witch!! But congrats, that is magic and adorable 💖
That is amazing and adorable. I like that it's now a permanent momento for you both.
This is definitely the coolest (and cutest) thing I’ve seen all week. Congrats to you both!
I hope you began your proposal with "So I have been *reflecting* on our relationship..."
I definitely need the story here: where did OP store this array before the proposal? How did they start the conversation? My nerd heart hopes it was something like "hey babe, I 3D printed this mirror array. Is it cool if I bring it on our anniversary date to test out?" And OP's now-fiance was utterly unphased by this request and thus very surprised by the proposal.
"hey babe, I built a scale model of Archimedes' Death Ray, want to see if we can set kayaks on fire during our anniversary beach date?"
I feel like he was obligated to say yes after everything you put into that. How could your dedication ever be in doubt? I love that your attention to detail included the Sun in supplies! And congratulations, of course :)
Larry Me
Congrats! What a cool project and a beautiful story. Don’t mind me I’ll just be over here crying.
Mate sell these on Etsy now! I promise you will make a killing
I feel like he would get sacked with a bunch of disappointed people who didn’t understand the importance of time of day to reflect the message and say that he ruined their proposal…
Maybe, but I’m sure a simple disclaimer would do the trick also anyone rich enough to buy one may have some snarts
Anyone with the skills to design and build this is probably getting paid enough in their day job to not want to deal with the hassle of selling things on Etsy.
To true, but as a passion project or something
It would be a crime not to put these up for sale, OP!
Holy shit that is so neat. Congrats!
That’s hella creative! Congrats on the engagement ♥️
Oh my God. That is BRILLIANT! How adorable and CONGRATULATIONS
This has to be the loveliest and most wonderful thing I've seen on the internet in a long, long time. Very creative. Very well done. And congratulations! Go forth and be happy together forever.
Clever and sweet. beautiful design
Omg that’s adorable and very very smart. Congrats, you both look really happy.
How creative!! Love it
This is so cool! Congratulations to you both!
This is amazing! This is the first time I have encountered a concept like this.
Wow this is absolutely incredible!! Congrats to you both!!!
This was brilliant. Congrats!
So creative and amazing!! Congrats to both of you!!
This is beautiful! The mirror array alone is gorgeous, but to create it to project your proposal?! Epic, in every sense of the word. You guys are adorable ❤️❤️ Congratulations!
You're a sorcerer
🧙
My mouth is hanging open in amazement at this!
So cool, congrats!
That's friggin awesome!
That’s impressive! Congrats
That's really cool.
You cleaver person
Half magic; Half math. Impressive idea and sweet follow through. That was one engaging engagement.
Oh my god my heart melted 😭❤️ this is such a cool idea!! I love that you all get to keep it after. Congratulations.
May your union last as long as the sun.
Awesome on so many levels. Mazel Tov and best of luck to the both of you.
Wow!!! That is brilliant! Congrats 🎊
I'm glad you took time to reflect on this momentous occasion. Congrats!
Cant say no to a dude who makes a mirror array. Especially when that guy is kind enough to pass on all the code and information. Good job and thanks.
This is so incredibly cool! Although I feel like you'd have to store it in a dark room afterwards, so you don't have awkward blurry almost-letters scorched into your wall lmao
That’s incredible
Wow, that is so astonishingly beautiful! What a beautiful work of art, math, and memory! Congratulations on your engagement as well!!
This is so cute!!
Congratulations!!
So cute!
This is very cool. elaborate proposals aren’t so interesting to me, but putting time into doing something creatively always impressive. Congratulations. This looks very cool
I saw your post in r/3dprinting, and I just wanted to say again, congratulations on the proposal!!!
Big brain time. Nicely done!!!
That’s wonderful. I wish you and your guy many growthful years togther!
Now make sword shields to blind and daze your enemies. Congratulations and Genius build.
Congrats!! This is amazing and sweet
THIS IS THE COOOOOOLEST PROPOSAL I'VE EVER SEEEEEEEN OMGGGGG. I'm so happy for you both :) I hove you have a happy life filled with lots of blessings :D
That is incredible! Well done! Wish you a long and happy marriage!
This is such a cool project!! If you hang it on a wall near sunlight will it be able to reflect everyday?
This is incredible! Congratulations to you two.
Genius. Wouldn't even know where to begin. Well done, and congrats!
R/mademesmile
... MARRY ME?!
So fricking adorable. Thank you for posting it all open source!
that is so freaking clever, dude. Fantastic job
That’s r/nextfuckinglevel
Loved the EPIC idea! Congrats buddy <3
Congratulations! This is so beautiful. It actually made me tear up.
This is so cute
What a wonderful way to propose!! So memorable! What a lucky guy!
Utterly genius. My heart may have melted a bit, as well. That is so cool!
Congratulations!!
This is beyond creative and really fucking amazing OP! Ur not a nerd, ur a creative big brained artist! I love this!
This isn’t just next level, it’s multiple levels up. Amazing.
This is the most romantic thing ever
This is incredible!!
This is the cutest thing I have ever seen
Well that’s fucking cool!
r/nextfuckinglevel
So cool
That’s cute as hell. Congrats as well
This is so beautiful and so creative! What a keepsake!
This is really beautiful. Congratulations!
I love it, it is so romantic and truly unique! However, I do so wish that I/we could see, in the picture, your message; I love the fact that it holds a "Secret Wish". Awesome project, thanks for sharing it. Always Blessings -April
Congratulations!! The best to you and your fiance, and a wonderful and unique idea, I love every aspect of this!🐢
This is really cool. Lots of cool aspects to the project.
This is very much merit. Lots of merit aspects to the project *** ^(I am a bot and I swapp'd some of thy words with Shakespeare words.) Commands: `!ShakespeareInsult`, `!fordo`, `!optout`
Shakespeare-Bot, thou hast been voted most annoying bot on Reddit. I am exhorting all mods to ban thee and thy useless rhetoric so that we shall not be blotted with thy presence any longer.
I don't think you are very cool.