The SolidSmack Weekend Reader | Week 50.17

Don your favorite bathrobe, cream that coffee and get comfortable with this week’s SolidSmack Weekend Reader.

The Weekend Reader features a handful of the most interesting articles featured on the ‘Smack over the past week ranging from tips and tricks to inspirational designs, processes, and more. So lay back, relax and take a load off while reading the top ten stories on SolidSmack this past week.

Oh and uh…don’t forget to shed some much-needed sunlight on your face, too.

Researchers Found A Way To Transmit Information Over WiFi Using 3D Printed Objects

As if printing your own desk toys and battle armor wasn’t enough, researchers up at the University of Washington have recently developed a method for transmitting data via Wi-Fi using 3D objects without the need for electricity.

Shapr3D 3.0 Brings Parasolid 3D Modeling to iPad Pro

A big first in 3D CAD today. Shapr3D, together with Siemens PLM Software and Tech Soft 3D, has brought the full power of Parasolid 3D modeling to iOS, in the latest release of the Shapr3D iPad Pro app. (See announcement here.)

Garage Inventor Colin Furze Just Built Himself a Full-Scale Star Wars TIE Silencer

When it comes to zany, off-the-wall projects that actually work, it takes a lot for Colin Furze to outdo himself—yet, the ingenious (and ballsy) garage inventor from Stamford Lincolnshire in the UK may have finally done it.

Old Apple iPods Find Second Life as Miraculous Tools to Fight Alzheimer’s

It’s easy to overlook the cultural significance of the original 2001 Apple iPod these days due to a smorgasbord of mobile devices and streaming music services. Apart from being a design marvel, it allowed millions of music lovers to lug their favorite tunes around without having to carry a clunky Sony Walkman or bulky boombox—not to mention, hard copies of all their favorite tunes.

Wood & Glass Sculpture |Artist’s Unique Process of Using Wood To Mold And Display Blown Glass

Glassblowing is a fascinating artform. For those of us in the product development world it’s akin to blow-molding. Yet, the process of blowing glass holds more intrigue and an element of danger. Also as a medium, it more eloquently showcases the human touch. Instead of yielding myriads of homogeneous end products, hand-blown glass enables artisans like Scott Slagerman to make each piece unique.

Toy Story Land Shrinks You Down To Experience The Park As An Action Figure

Better grab your kids and grab your wife and grab your Buzz Lightyear — Disney’s Hollywood Studios will soon open their newest money-sucking attraction: Toy Story Land! *Record scratch* Wait. Two questions. 1) Why did it take three movies (and 22 years!) to make this happen? And 2) Why are the toys and characters, regular size in the movie, but 100x larger than a human in the theme park? Oh well, TAKE MY MONEY, DISNEY.

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