Case Studies
Projection Mapping
In our projection mapping class, we were assigned to test our projectors on various materials, surfaces, and textures at different places and times to get us experienced with the art of projecting.
These are the two images that will be projected in multiple types of surfaces and environments.
The color graph is to see how Color is affected by surfaces, while the Jaws poster focuses on how detail is translated to the surface.
WHITE SURFACE, 2.5 Feet Away
The more detail there is in an image, the more difficult it is for it to be depicted on this projected surface. The closer that the projector is to the surface, the more out
of focus the image projected is.
MEDIUM GRAY SURFACE
Thanks to the balance, the darker and lighter colors projected on the gray surface were more viable than on white surface, allowing a more sharp image to be seen.
RED SURFACE
REFLECTIVE SURFACE
TEXTURED SURFACE
TRANSPARENT SURFACE
INTERIORS
Thanks to the red background, all of the colors projected on the surface had a tint of red, which also increased the saturation of any red colors present on the screen. The red gave the images a more intense feel to them.
The projected images were faintly present on the reflective surface, even though they were less visible around the edges.
The surface reflected the image onto the ceiling in front of it. Despite some blur,
the color translated exceptionally.
The surface we chose was similar in texture to a rug and thanks to this, the texture was visible on the images while they where being projected.
The transparent background still reflected the images, but with much less clarify than the previous opaque backgrounds.
OPAQUE OBSTACLE FARTHER 1 PROJECTOR
The object (elephant) cast a larger but less defined shadow when it was further away.
OPAQUE OBSTACLE FARTHER 2 PROJECTORS
The 2 shadows were much less defined and further apart than when it was closer to the projected background.
WHITE SURFACE, 5 Feet Away
The image is easier to put into focus when there is more distance between the projector and the surface. The clean white surface helps the whites in the projected image be more visible.
BLUE SURFACE
This room had lights that could not be turned off, so the contrast was less ideal than other cases. The blue influenced the white to be almost cyan, which made it much harder to see the difference between the water and air on the Jaws poster. The yellow and green are also nearly indistinguishable.
GREEN SURFACE
Thanks to the green background, all of the colors projected on the surface had a tint of green while increasing the saturation of any green colors present on the screen. The green gave the images a more mellow and calm feel to them. White, cyan, and green blended together while red stood out.
TRANSLUCENT SURFACE
The translucent surface we chose was glass that was frosted by cold air after a storm. It scattered the projected images and reveals the frosted water residue. This surface also reflected the image onto the ceiling in front of it.
TEXTURED SURFACE SIDE PROFILE
The textured surface makes the image seem as if it where made out of the rug material it’s being projected on, adding a whole new element to the projection.
OPAQUE OBSTACLE CLOSE 1 PROJECTOR
The object (elephant) cast a very defined and clear shadow when it was close to the projector.
OPAQUE OBSTACLE CLOSE 2 PROJECTORS
The object cast 2 similar shadows, but the displacement between them makes it harder to identify the object and could be quite disorienting.
So what did we learn?
The texture that you project a surface on to is as important as the image itself. Some areas and surfaces will straight up not be suitable for projection presentation. You ideally want someplace with little lighting, and very little color change.
EXTERIORS
EXTERIORS
Now it was time to take it outside!
The SUN is the largest projector of light in the solar system. Calculated to exert 36 octillion (36 thousand trillion trillion lumens), it will overpower any manmade projector with ease. Let’s see how our 500 Lumen projector fair against it.
WHITE 2.5 FEET (NOON)
Not visible whatsoever. The one on the right is 6 inches away and the image would be unusable. The sun and its ambient lighting
NON-WHITE 2.5 FEET (NOON)
Very faint.
WHITE 2.5 FEET (BACKLIT BY SUN)
These were taken within 30 minutes of daylight, and the images were nearly invisible.
NON-WHITE 2.5 FEET (SUNSET)
These were taken about an hour after sunset. Although these are blurry and undefined, as most 2.5 feet projections are, they are still far more visible without the sun’s presence.
WHITE 2.5 FEET (SUNSET, SHADED)
The 2 shadows were much less defined and further apart than when it was closer to the projected background.
WHITE 2.5 FEET (NIGHT)
Although blurry, the color is very potent and bright to the point that the surrounding area of the images glow their respected colors.
NON-WHITE 2.5 FEET (NIGHT)
The color of the wall (Light green) effected the images.
WHITE 5 FEET (NOON)
You wouldn’t even know there was a projector less than 2 meters from this surface.
NON-WHITE 5 FEET (NOON)
Even with a little bit of shade, there’s nothing visible.
WHITE 5 FEET (BACKLIT BY SUN)
Completely indistinguishable. Sunlight will overpower any projector.
NON-WHITE 5 FEET (SUNSET)
Much clearer and more defined than 2.5 feet. The contrast is hard to read between medium grays, but all the colors are pretty distinct.
WHITE 5 FEET (SUNSET, SHADED)
The 2 shadows were much less defined and further apart than when it was closer to the projected background.
WHITE 5 FEET (NIGHT)
The image being projected is very detailed, clear, and bright
NON-WHITE 5 FEET (NIGHT)
Because of the distance, the images are clear and although the surface color is visible on neutral grays, it doesn’t heavily impact the whites or any of the bright colors.
What did we learn?
Outside projecting requires a crazy powerful projector, with as little sunlight as possible. Unlike indoor projectors, an outdoor projector can only be used at night.
Thank you to the Motion Design department of Ringling College of Art and Design for making this case study possible.