Beginning Projection Mapping

[Benny Shields]

Hi Team,

I am undertaking projection mapping project as part of an architectural thesis.

Currently I am trying to figure out the best software to use for the project.

I have started experimenting with VPT with good, if basic, results.

Would another route be a develop a digital model and corresponding animation viewed from a virtual camera in cinema 4D or Maya and then map that onto a live model with software like MadMapper or TouchDesigner?

People talk about using cinema 4D to create mapping projects and I am just not 100% sure of the exact process.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Ben

[PCProject]

Originally Posted by Benny Shields

Would another route be a develop a digital model and corresponding animation viewed from a virtual camera in cinema 4D or Maya and then map that onto a live model with software like MadMapper or TouchDesigner?

Pretty much yes. Focal length of the lens in C4D needs to be same as the final projection one.

[deepvisual]

I think I have figured out why people have so much trouble mapping in 3D apps..

projectors only use half the lens..
what I think they need to do is set the camera opposite the centre of the screen, not level with the bottom like a projector would be...

[deepvisual]

I think I have figured out why people have so much trouble mapping in 3D apps..

projectors only use half the lens..
what I think they need to do is set the camera opposite the centre of the screen, not level with the bottom like a projector would be...

[push.kin]

can you describe more in depth what means - projectors only use half the lens?
maybe i cant understand because, my english is really bad, but you can try)
thanx

[deepvisual]

well cameras chips are fixed at the centre of the lens. projector chips are intentionally fixed off centre. this allows the projector to be positioned either at the top of the bottom of the screen.
so optically, to imitate a projector that has a real world position opposite the bottom of a screen, you have to position your camera opposite the centre of the screen.

[stickygreen]

Originally Posted by deepvisual

well cameras chips are fixed at the centre of the lens. projector chips are intentionally fixed off centre. this allows the projector to be positioned either at the top of the bottom of the screen.
so optically, to imitate a projector that has a real world position opposite the bottom of a screen, you have to position your camera opposite the centre of the screen.

I think this really depends on the projector. Most commercial grade machines will have the image centered like a camera. But consumer grade, or office type projectors will be as you described Deep.

[deepvisual]

agreed Mr Green. but in that case, you'll be using the lens shift, which needs to be taken into consideration.
On a flat screen its not a problem, but on a 3D surface you'll at the very least get parallax.
we get this on the dome servers, which is what got me thinking.
for the warp software to work, we have to physically set all the lens shifts to the centre before we start to align..

[sleepytom]

</bleeding obvious>

[push.kin]

very useful information tnx!