# Projection Mapping

# What is Projection Mapping?

Projection Mapping uses everyday video projectors, but instead of projecting on a flat screen, light is mapped onto any surface, turning common objects of any 3D shape into interactive displays. More formally, projection mapping is "the display of an image on a non-flat or non-white surface".

[Frequently asked Questions](https://noktavisual.com/faq/) about Projection Mapping (by NoktaVisual)  
  
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/skU3T8bgEIM" width="560"></iframe>

  
  
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FEZuE9Til78" width="560"></iframe>

# Software for Projection Mapping

Projection Mapping can be done with various kinds of software.   
Here's an overview of a couple (let us know if we're missing any)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-software-short-descr" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 110.123%; height: 1753.17px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 16.6873%;"></col><col style="width: 25.958%;"></col><col style="width: 41.1619%;"></col><col style="width: 16.1928%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td>Software</td><td>Short description</td><td>Video mapping tutorial</td><td>Licensing</td></tr><tr><td>After Effects</td><td>Old school Mapping!!</td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="167" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X6CYgIHuof8" style="width: 298px; height: 167px;" width="298"></iframe>

</td><td>part of the creative cloud</td></tr><tr><td>[Resolume](https://resolume.com/)</td><td>Resolume Arena is a VJ tool with built in excellent Projection Mapping software. </td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="168" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2RigLJhEjM" style="width: 300px; height: 168px;" width="300"></iframe>

</td><td>Free (with watermark)/[Dongle](https://reserveren.hku.nl "HKU loan for studenten")</td></tr><tr><td>[Isadora: Izzy Map](https://troikatronix.com/get-it/)</td><td>IzzyMap offers interactive control of mapping attributes, allowing real-time motion graphics to become part of your design. By taking control of these parameters during your show, slices and masking can be layered and composited within each instance of IzzyMap, and multiple instances of IzzyMap allow your mappings to be layered and combined in endless ways.</td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KOpIpApXx14" width="302"></iframe>

</td><td>Free (no saving)/[Dongle](https://reserveren.hku.nl "HKU loan for studenten")</td></tr><tr><td>[Touchdesigner](https://derivative.ca/)</td><td>Various projection mapping tools, 2D &amp; 3D.</td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="170" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mTH7ZB4x47Q" style="width: 308px; height: 170px;" width="308"></iframe>

</td><td>Free (limited resolution)</td></tr><tr><td>[Madmapper](https://madmapper.com/)</td><td>  
</td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="173" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Typv7KxBRM" style="width: 309px; height: 173px;" width="309"></iframe>

</td><td>  
</td></tr><tr><td>[Blender](https://www.blender.org/download/)</td><td>  
</td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="174" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l4vhXj-tPrs" style="width: 311px; height: 174px;" width="311"></iframe>

</td><td>Free</td></tr><tr><td>[VPT](https://hcgilje.wordpress.com/vpt/)</td><td>Video Projection Tool (VPT) is a free multipurpose realtime projection software tool.</td><td><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="174" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/it2Haaam6U0" width="310"></iframe>

</td><td>Free</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-other-software-for-m" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 51.4815%; height: 318.578px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29.7969px;"><td style="height: 29.7969px;">Other software for mapping for specific video mapping purposes</td></tr><tr style="height: 35.3984px;"><td style="height: 35.3984px;">[Arkaos](https://vj.arkaos.com/)</td></tr><tr style="height: 35.3984px;"><td style="height: 35.3984px;">[Heavy M ](https://www.heavym.net/)</td></tr><tr style="height: 29.7969px;"><td style="height: 29.7969px;">[WatchOut](https://www.dataton.com/)</td></tr><tr style="height: 35.3984px;"><td style="height: 35.3984px;">[Disguise](https://www.disguise.one/en)</td></tr><tr style="height: 46.5938px;"><td style="height: 46.5938px;">[MappingMatter](https://www.mappingmatter.com/)</td></tr><tr style="height: 35.3984px;"><td style="height: 35.3984px;">[ScalableDisplay](https://www.scalabledisplay.com/)</td></tr><tr style="height: 35.3984px;"><td style="height: 35.3984px;">[Mapio2](https://mapio2-lite.software.informer.com/ "Mapio for installationa")

</td></tr><tr style="height: 35.3984px;"><td style="height: 35.3984px;">[Millumin](https://www.millumin.com/v4/index.php)

</td></tr></tbody></table>

[the-mega-list-of-vj-software-and-tools](https://limeartgroup.com/the-mega-list-of-vj-software-and-tools/)

# Choosing Video Projection Hardware & Space

[![image.png](https://bookstack.hku.nl/uploads/images/gallery/2024-03/scaled-1680-/BeJimage.png)](https://bookstack.hku.nl/uploads/images/gallery/2024-03/BeJimage.png)

When projection Mapping you obviously need a video projector. But matters which one you choose as they all have different specifications that influence the outcome.

<p class="callout warning"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Check out this awesome website to help you calculate these things &amp; find the perfect video projector : [https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm) </span></p>

##### **Features of a projection mapping projector**

### Luminosity

Luminosity describes the amount of light a video projector puts out. It is measured in lumens. A high number of lumens means a projector is more powerful. As mentioned previously, powerfulness itself isn’t enough. You also need to take all the constraints of a specific project into account, as these might reduce a projector’s objective powerfulness, such as the light levels of a location, the expected image size and the material of the projection surface.

### Contrast ratio

Contrast levels are linked to the luminosity difference between white and black (absence of color). No video projector is able to project perfect black—this color is usually replaced with a very dark grey.

Contrast is described by a ratio, such as 500:1. The bigger the difference between both numbers, the better the contrast. Therefore, 1,000:1 provides better contrast levels than 500:1.

### Resolution

A projector’s resolution is the number of pixels, from side to side and top to bottom, which makes up your projected image. A high number of pixels means the image will be more precise. A low number of pixels means it will be harder for the naked eye to distinguish them.

A projector’s resolution should be as close to possible as the image’s. If you wish to project full HD content (1,080p), this means your projector also needs full HD resolution. If you use a projector that is more powerful (4k, for example), this will lead to a disappointing result.

#####   
  
**When choosing a projector, it also depends on where you plan to do this mapping. Other key factors to consider :**

### Light conditions

The light level of the area where your mapping is supposed to take place is a fundamental factor, as light conditions play a significant role regarding the quality of the projected image.  
Direct light on the projection surface needs to be avoided at all costs, whether it is natural or artificial, as it would fade the image, even with strong contrast levels.

Therefore, you should pick a fairly dark environment without direct light coming to your projection area. It is impossible to do Projection

### Image size and throw ratio

Image size and projection distance are linked by a very simple mathematical formula:

<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-85051d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-element_type="widget" data-id="85051d4" data-widget_type="image.default" id="bkmrk--0"><div class="elementor-widget-container"><div class="elementor-image">![ratio-formula-en](https://www.heavym.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/ratio-formula-p490wwx4h3x3lt0ygar9qsftbgavu6d0zhnknp3lhk.jpeg "ratio-formula-en")</div></div></div>This throw ratio is linked to each type of video projector. It is a number that falls between 0,3 and 12. The bigger this number, the longer the throw distance. Thanks to this formula and by knowing two parameters, you can easily find out what the third parameter is.   
Here is the calculator again: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm) </span>

### Material of your projection surface

The material of your projection surface is also a crucial factor to consider. You should pick a light-colored surface and pick matt materials to reduce light reflection. If you end up using a shinier surface, the image quality will decrease, and you might see your projector’s light’s reflection. This should be avoided to ensure better results.

Tip: If using a video projector with a short focal distance (with a throw ratio below 0.5), we recommend avoiding flexible projection surfaces, such as fabric. This is because even a slight movement of the projection surface might distort your image.

# Creating content for Projection Mapping

As projection mapping is mostly not done on regular rectangular surfaces, content is also specially made.   
Of course there are numeruos ways to do this using masks or generative abstract content.   
here's some ideas to get you started:

<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AUbPWesO3KU" width="560"></iframe>

<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vGLVUpeJD6k" width="560"></iframe>

# Inspiration

Here's a nice collection on [Projection-mapping.org](https://projection-mapping.org/inspiration/ "Inspiration")

be sure to also check [these](https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/projection-mapping-inspiration)

[https://noktavisual.com/faq/](https://noktavisual.com/faq/) nice FAQ on what projection mapping is. Check out his work while you're there!

# related HKU Bookstack pages

[Resolume](https://bookstack.hku.nl/books/resolume)

[Touchdesigner](https://bookstack.hku.nl/books/touchdesigner)

[Isadora](https://bookstack.hku.nl/books/working-with-isadora)

[Projection Dome](https://bookstack.hku.nl/books/projection-dome)

[Mixed Reality](https://bookstack.hku.nl/books/mixed-reality)