Easy Projection Mapping How-to Video

[@Shep220]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us! As a lighting designer, and loving video with lighting I fell in love with projection mapping! Just takes video to a much higher level. Keep us updated on your work with this!

[@Grandkidsmovies]

Sir! I like and appreciate your excellent work. Kindly let me know step by step which softwares did you use?

[@TimsOutpost]

I'm not sure which career would relate to mapping, but maybe something in animation or marketing and advertising. I've also seen it used on stages for plays and concerts. It can be used in a number of areas.

[@CaptainVelveeta]

Love it!!!...I'm a mobile D.J. making the transition to projector lighting...in the long run it's cheaper and promises much more variety and possibility...this would be a sweet addition to the show... ...tell me, how difficult is it to create 'laser-like' lines that follow the outline of the boxes...another tutorial would be awesome

[@jamesstanley272]

It's extraordinary to see that, you can do the same in 3 minutes with software like HeavyM, Mapio2 now :) I started video mapping last year with HeavyM. It's so easy and cool to use. I recommend​!

[@HeavyMSoftware]

Thanks for your kind message James. All informations about the software : heavym.net and it's FREE :D

[@fuupdaass275]

Free for 30 days

[@goldray5526]

Man God bless you, for just teaching. I love it

[@TimsOutpost]

I watched your videos, and I have to say what you created is far more advanced than what I did. You are very talented!

[@dawnp1141]

Thank for the information. I am in the cake business and thinking about doing this on wedding and/or stacked birthday cakes. This will get me started.

[@SaiKrishnaYallapu]

Thank you Tim, I (and many people like me) would be glad to see more videos from you :)

[@TimsOutpost]

In the next week or two I will try it. It looks great, and it should allow many more people to easily create video mapping projects.

[@margaretcorvan6306]

Thank you for making it simple...too many videos out there making it hard to follow for us beginners.

[@chriswinter5765]

This looks so awesome and easy. Might have to go buy myself a cheap projector. Out of interest, how "real" is the effect in the 3D world? How well does the illusion hold when looking from a different view point within reason?

[@TimsOutpost]

As long as you are looking at the two forward facing sides (or any face or surface) you will have a clear image. As long as the image being cast by the projector is visible it should look good.

[@cferrero]

Thank you! this is very helpful and I will use it for my daughter's 1st bday :)

[@saurabhrao]

Dude that was super cool, will find time to do that one day. Thanks for sharing.

[@alanmartinezbrito]

Great tutorial Tim, thanks for sharing this, it gives me a lot of ideas for a personal project I´m working on.

[@odysseimfg]

nice tute so people can wrap their head around projection mapping, good job!

[@TimsOutpost]

You are welcome. I know there are nicer examples of projection mapping, but I wanted to show an easy way for those of us just learning how. I would like to see more people explain how they do their projection mapping... it would help us beginners.

[@PetterRivera]

Do the objects have to be still... ? great job thanks for sharing the knowledge!!!

[@TimsOutpost]

I just noticed you own the company that makes the software. It does look like it will make video mapping much more accessible to those with limited funds and experience. I will certainly have to try it.

[@TrapUniverse]

Which Infocus Projector Would You Recommend Like For A DJ Booth

[@TimsOutpost]

I can't really say which one would be best, since I've only used two of them. They make different projectors for different purposes. Once you know the size of the area you are projecting onto then you can look at the InFocus and other company websites to see what will work best. Sorry I can't be more specific.

[@guillaumemuteba]

Very nice tutorial. Could be fun mapping the dog passing by as well... :-) I'll check your other videos as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@Cutting2Night]

WOW Dude!! Look at your very own ISAM Show :D ...thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@kieralobo3144]

Hey Tim, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful video. I am having a projection mapping fashion show in my college. In this fashion show, I be projecting different patterns(designs) on a model dress. The model will be wearing a white gown. The fashion show will be held in the college auditorium. I needed a little help. You made an outline on all the edges of those boxes, can you tell me how do I make an outline of the gown? Do you have any tips to give me for making the fashion show a successful one? THANK YOU :) :D

[@angelasanjuan6697]

Thanks for that postive feedback. I am sure there will be a few nice projects with all the information you gave and the determination I have can't go wrong..lol Again Tim Thank you so much, Angela

[@joaoabreu9648]

hi tim, I wanted to design several videos, but what you fizes you was so changing images, can you tell me who is projecting as many different videos at the same time? I hope for an answer! regards, João Abreu.

[@martanigraphics]

i like the simplicity of your technique. however your making your life harder the it needs to be... all you need to create is a couple masks and a vj software like modul8...

[@TimsOutpost]

I just looked at a few videos of the software. It looks much quicker and easier than what I did. Have you used it?

[@oldromancechick2030]

Hello! I am trying to project some ghosts onto my house for Halloween. I have mapped out my house but whenever I try to add the videos, the sizing is all off. I can't get the videos of the ghost correctly sized into my windows. Would you mind giving me some advice on how to fix this? Once I map out my house, how do I correctly size the videos to project? I am able to use all of the Adobe Products and Millumin ... I appreciate it! Thanks

[@aalihte380]

inspiring! I didn't even know what projection mapping was a few minutes ago. I'm curious to see how this technique might translate using more organically shaped structures or against something with a bit of transparency..I'm working on a piece that i pretty much want to be like living light..and doing it via hologram isn't able to give me what I want..but this is beautiful. short of doing an actual animatronic light sculpture,...hmmm very cool (and thank you for posting this tutorial. You're a good teacher :)

[@QUEROOUVIR]

BOA NOITE QUAL O PROGRAMA VOEC ESTA USANDO

[@SaiKrishnaYallapu]

So, have you found any other new techniques for better projection mapping or any knowledge updates to share?

[@bill11758]

Thanks for doing this video, My question is working in photoshop or other while projecting is not the same output image size after rendering a video and projecting on the (in this case) boxes. I can see the splash of the screen on the wall to the left, when projecting you would not any over projection on the surrounding area. is it image size during photoshop? or simple as moving the projector closer. Thank You!!

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, I moved the projector so that the image fit onto the boxes.

[@AprilSlocombe]

The projection mapping experiment at the end is effective for a simple set-up. Would Adobe Premiere also work for editing a video of what you want to project onto the subject?

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, I'm sure Adobe Premiere would work for it. What I did is just a simple example.

[@AprilSlocombe]

Tim Johnson It's good to start simple.

[@earlcoyle1977]

hi tim . is the software freesoftware you use ????

[@Grandkidsmovies]

Excellent work. Which software(s) did you use in this project?

[@TimsOutpost]

The software I used for the projection mapping was Microsoft Paint and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

[@gonzaloabal6]

Hi Tim! I wanted to know if you can use illustrator to do the first part, instead of paint

[@TimsOutpost]

Gonzalo Abal Hi Gonzalo! I haven't tried illustrator. If it is similar to paint it should work.

[@brinnswf]

what brightness is your projector? it seems really big!

[@sherbs440]

Would you recommend InFocus IN3914 as a good video projector? I tried it with my Epson and the blacks weren't even close to being black and it wasn't a short throw projector. Are the InFocus projectors plug and play with USB?

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, I would recommend the IN3914, but it is aimed more at the educational market. InFocus may have others better suited to your needs. They also have short throw projectors and I think most of them are USB plug and play.

[@rvtw]

hi thnx for the video! very helpfull but how do i make a disney cake? how you make effects like tinker bell, or where can i download this

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, but a projector with higher lumens will allow you to do larger objects.

[@TimsOutpost]

I haven't used 3Ds Max, but when I Googled it I found a few tutorials. I will have to play around with it before trying to use it in projection mapping.

[@sebastianrodriguez9719]

what projector should I use for my house cause I want to do the same thing but for my house. And what software to add color instead of Photoshop is free?

[@TimsOutpost]

Sebastian Rodriguez I'm not sure which projector would work best for a house, but this guy might be able to help kzbin.info/www/bejne/baHFo3Rohb-dm8U To add color have you tried Microsoft Paint or maybe Gimp.

[@hbjuly2308]

i very appreciate your movie. I have been interested in 3d mapping projection, but i dont really find information and classes to study about that. I wonder which career or field relates to 3d mapping

[@AZTEC_ARTS]

Hi ... how far can a projector, project (distance from subject / object) ? AND preserve focus ....

[@TimsOutpost]

The projector is between 2200 and 2700 lumens depending on the settings. I've used it at my school to project movies up on a large screen in the gym.

[@StephenMercer]

I missed one tidbit -- You use MSPaint to draw your original shapes... the size of your window is not the full size of your projector screen -- you can see you're projecting all the parts of the Windows desktop. Then you move into Photoshop... how do you get the MSPaint image lined up again in Photoshop? And then, when you make a video of it, the video *is* full resolution... how do you get it to pad properly with black around the edges where the chrome was? Also, if you want to create a mapping that is the full size of the projector window, do you have any solutions there? Basically, the one bit I missed is how you keep the points aligned from your image to your projector as you're moving to different tools!

[@StephenMercer]

Ah. I see. Thanks.

[@RickyCespedes]

awesome work Ill have to share my ideas with you one day!

[@judrebtchinsky]

I work with Final Cut, I just have one doubt... You put one picture made in PS next to another, as it was a still image in the software and make the video?

[@judrebtchinsky]

+Júlia A I mean, in Vegas

[@danielramy]

Hello Tim, Thanks for the tutorial. I want to know that is the software that you used for tihs video? Or, if you have a recommentation? Thanks, Daniel

[@zohourmohiydden4602]

Hello, can i ask what is the kind of projector you used?? ow any suggestions on a good kind of projector i can use ? thank you

[@TimsOutpost]

I used a projector from InFocus, but you can use any brand. Try to get one with high lumens.

[@angelasanjuan6697]

Thanks again for all the information that will help get me started. Once I get started I might need to ask for your help again. I hope you will be okay with that. If I don't need to bother you with any more question I just want to say that I appreciate all your help.

[@TimsOutpost]

Glad I could help. I have a feeling you will be making some pretty cool projection mapping projects.

[@scottvomit3]

I have a question what type of projector is best for this type of project and what do projectors like this cost?

[@jeremyjarosz7042]

How do you get the video to play only on the outline of the boxes? I understand how you got the video, but I don't get how to limit the video to just that one area.

[@peterpups4753]

+Jeremy Jarosz I guess , the black background solves this problem :)

[@angelasanjuan6697]

I was wondering is this a projector I can use for video mapping a wedding cake? LED 3D Home Theater Business Projector 3000 Lumens 1280x800 16:9 1080p VGA USB SD HDMI Input

[@TimsOutpost]

I don't know much about the projector, but if it can cover the surface of the cake, then it will probably work. If you are trying to project onto all sides of the cake, such as front and back, then you may need more than one projector. If you are only projecting on two sides like in this video, then only one projector is needed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i53WZmqnnN9rftU The higher the lumens the better, and it looks like yours will be high enough if it is a home theater/business projector.

[@zenlyfe5448]

hey tim! i was wondering what projector you would recommend for an intimate venue? feel free to message me i am extremely confused. just looking for a starting point. great videos!

[@TimsOutpost]

I personally like the InFocus or Epson projectors. For an intimate venue I suppose you would want to be sure it has a quiet fan, but other than that I'm not sure why a larger projector wouldn't work for you. Try to get high lumens and maybe a short-throw model.

[@zenlyfe5448]

Do i need a screen? Or any kind of software? Thanks so much for the quick response!

[@aimonaz1]

hello tim. i have a question. can i just use windows movie maker to make the video? and in what size or resolution should i save the video so that when it project at the boxes, the line and patterns will be at the exact surfaces?

[@TimsOutpost]

aimonaz1 If Movie Maker allows you to add or combine all the still images to make a video, then it should work. The resolution or screen ratio should be as close to that of the images you created, but you still may have to move the projector a bit to line it up with the edges. A lot of it is just experimenting until it looks good.

[@aimonaz1]

Tim Johnson thank you for the reply :D

[@stabilodrum2325]

aimonaz1 Hey ! You know there are softwares that are way more fitted for projection mapping :) You should try HeavyM, it's the one I currently use and it's really easy to handle and gives good results fast. Hope this helps :) www.heavym.net/en/

[@aimonaz1]

Stabilo Drum thank u buddy! i will try. :D

[@thatguy601]

Hi Tim. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm looking to do something on something the size of the box so it was really helpfil. One thing though. When you played the movie clip on the box was the black area still there? Or did you mask it or something because I couldn't see it on the wall around the box. Are you using the whole image with the black space still? Cheers Jordan

[@jamesstanley272]

Did you try HeavyM ? heavym.net/

[@EstragosisDead]

thx man, what program do u thing is good for that i have a pc

[@basiek2112]

Hello I have a question: If I want to do a mapping on a building ,does it has to be in 1:1 scale ?

[@TimsOutpost]

As far as I know it does not have to be 1:1 scale. What you are projecting can be whatever scale you wish, but you do want the projector to cover the building or areas of the building you wish to display on. Larger buildings might require multiple projectors or larger high lumen projectors.

[@Grandkidsmovies]

Which software did you use?

[@angelasanjuan6697]

Wow Tim thank you for 1st responding back so quickly, 2nd thank you for that information very helpful. After reading your reply I have one more question if you don't mind. I was only planning to do 2 sides of the cake. From what I understand the position a square type item needs to be set at is in an angle were the edge of the item should be in the front if i'm not mistaken. If this is so my question is when using a round type item being that there is no edges how does one project an item with that shape? I hope I was clear enough for you to understand what I am asking. Thanks again Angela

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, it is fairly easy to do two sides like I did in this video if you aim the projector so it covers the sides. It just takes some experimenting. You can do a round surface, but the image would be distorted as it projects on the sides. Some software like Facade Signage www.videomappingsoftware.com/ will let you do round surfaces without the distortion.

[@TimsOutpost]

Most projectors on the market will work. I used a projector from InFocus that cost about $1000. You can probably find one for less, but try to get one with high lumens. Also, I did this on small boxes, but if you want to do it on larger walls or objects you want a projector that covers a larger area. Main thing is you want one that gives a bright and crisp picture.

[@jorgeahmed2604]

Tim, hi, just a question, i have a Mac, is it compatible with the Facade software?? Thanks

[@TimsOutpost]

I only see the PC version on their website, but if you do a Google search you might find a version for Mac.

[@ashura21_]

which is the software used in this video is for the window where I can download

[@TimsOutpost]

Thanks! I look forward to seeing your ideas.

[@Jibrankhan-jk6vy]

Hey!! Love the work you do. I have a quick question for you it will be great if you could help. I'm planing to learn projection/ video mapping and i need to buy a laptop I'm not a tech freak so im getting confused. Could you please advice me the best laptop for projection mapping. should i go with macbook pro 15ich 2016 or the 13 inch ?

[@TimsOutpost]

I can't say which is best, but get one that is fast and has a lot of memory. I use a PC, but Apple is also good.

[@Jibrankhan-jk6vy]

Really appreciate the reply . Thank you so much Means alot :)

[@TimsOutpost]

For what I did you could use most any projector. If you want to cover a larger surface like a large wall or the outside of a building, then you would want a projector with higher lumens to get brighter colors and more detail.

[@TimsOutpost]

No, not yet. I've been too busy with work and travel. I do plan on spending more time with projection mapping, and when I do I will post more videos.

[@TimsOutpost]

You are welcome. I'm still learning how to do this, and I hope to find other ways of making nicer projection mapping videos.

[@bmunoz]

Wow thanks! great how-to video.

[@josedarquea2396]

hey thanks for the upload! have a quick question! if I already have a 3d model at my computer of the surface in which im projecting, and I make a 2d elevation of whatever im drawing digitally onto the surface. Would it be enough to project that altered 2d image into the real life model? thkx

[@SaiKrishnaYallapu]

Thanks for the video Tim Johnson!

[@gabrielkashbenitez]

cool video!!! DID YOU ELIMINATE 100% OF THE SHADOWS,(IS THERE ANY LIGHT AT ALL EXCEPT THE BOXES? I TRIED USING A DEMO OF MODULE 8 AND MAD MAPPER AND I CANT ELIMINATE THE BLACK PARTS(SHADOW)

[@TimsOutpost]

When making the images and patterns I was projecting on the boxes I made sure to choose black as the color for the background.

[@gabrielkashbenitez]

Tim Johnson OK COOL,THANKS, I WILL TRY IT AGAIN

[@randallmcgehee7330]

Well I guess I must not be as smart as I thought I was. Tim, it seems you're neglecting the most important part: while working in photoshop or whatever, you match up the lines with the projected image, but when you save the photoshop (or in my case Final Cut) image, then when showing the series of images FULL SCREEN so as to block out the desktop, etc from being projected, the image gets rescaled and repositioned according to its relative position in the image with respect to the image border, matching that RELATIVE distance to the display border, thereby moving the projected image off its target. Please elaborate how your full screen image stays on the target after having edited it within the photoshop window to match the lines of the object you're projecting onto. Thanks

[@joannetjia56]

So...how's the solution ?

[@arwaazmy8145]

Hello, I am doing a video clip and I want to use projection mapping technique as my theme. The thing is I want to map out my singer and the three white projection screens that will be behind him and I don't want still images to be projected I want dynamic clips like shooting stars and such how can I do that!? thank you.

[@TimsOutpost]

You will either need short throw projectors or put the projectors behind the screens. This way your singer won't cast a shadow on the screens. You will probably also need to use software like facade signage or resolume if you want to project animations or video.

[@arwaazmy8145]

can I use facade signage to map out a person??..because all the tutorials I've seen use square or flat surfaces

[@tracyburroughs2096]

How did you get the graphics to match mimic the angel of the box sides?

[@TimsOutpost]

I did not do anything to match the angle of the box sides. The projector is positioned so that it would put images on the two sides of the box you see. If I had used photos you might see more distortion, but the graphics are less obvious.

[@landybible2604]

What model is that? I was very surprised how big of an image you got with what appears to be a very short throw.

[@ClassifiedTS]

what format are you saving when you using pint and photoshop?

[@TimsOutpost]

Paint saved it as a PNG file. In Photoshop I believe I saved them as JPEG files.

[@EstragosisDead]

can i use eny projector??

[@TimsOutpost]

I haven't tried it, but I will check it out. Thanks!

[@bonnieayusman8325]

What software are you using it ?

[@originalsimbaarts6085]

Thanx for the video and tips on mapping.What is the name of the sound track?

[@TimsOutpost]

When I opened the image in Photoshop I tried to make sure it is the same scale or ratio. I also adjusted the projector by moving it or zooming in or out. For the most part I tried to keep the images at the same size. There are probably other ways which may work better, but for me it was just trial and error.

[@kirbypkawaii]

Hi may I ask who does this kinds of projects? I need to hire someone to do these kinds of jobs. Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks a lot

[@TimsOutpost]

I can't say for sure since I haven't tried it. Some of the other videos I've seen on KZbin that have moving objects and animation list the software they use. You may try a google search. Good luck!

[@bbrescia11]

Hello Tim - I suppose that when doing the front of a house for example, you will have to use a picture and do a trace of the main areas for later masking, right? Kind of like the Bates Haunt video - otherwise you'd have to be outside doing all of this drawing work! Thanks for your tutorial - great stuff - Bob

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, you are correct. Another way would be to use software such as Facade Signage to quickly trace the surfaces you wish to project on, and then while indoors do your masking. Have you seen this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ombYhGCHh9Z-naM

[@bbrescia11]

Thanks much - reviewed the FS software - do you think the lite version would suffice for home use?

[@TimsOutpost]

Yes, but you might want to try the trial version before purchasing it.

[@tenseyy]

I wanted to ask how did you frame the last video output from the projector? Like how did you cut off the sides which you didn't need? Thanks :)

[@heresjhonny702]

Resolume Arena. Easier, better

[@xinjinbun]

You are my hero. Thank you very much.

[@fliamace]

que software usa para hacer el mapping? desde ya gracias y lo felicito

[@kenkahasan3453]

Great introduction bro ! THX!!!!

[@melmark4]

Hi Tim. Do you have a tutorial on when you imported your images into Sony Vegas and how you used Sony Vegas with the images you imported. Thanks

[@hitrelease]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you very much.

[@joeldespard7498]

Hi tim i downloaded the sony program...now how do i do this sir?

[@sandromontefusco4007]

How do I enable and I disable the projector lighting to not appear in the projection

[@TimsOutpost]

+Sandro Montefusco - I was able to make the light not appear by projecting a black color for the areas I wanted to be dark. So the background color around the cube I was projecting was filled in with the color black.

[@sandromontefusco4007]

+Tim Johnson Hello Tim , Thanks for answering. Got it. Now you do this in Resolume arena or at the time that this vc converting the video ?

[@bonnieayusman8325]

thank you very much sir, now i can make video mapping

[@TimsOutpost]

Hi Daniel, The software I used for the projection mapping was Microsoft Paint and Adobe Photoshop Elements. The software I used to edit this KZbin video was Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10.0.

[@wondersofthedream]

I used this technique to make my show, thanks!

[@angelasanjuan6697]

oops so sorry, Tim I forgot to ask does the projector need to be 3D.

[@TimsOutpost]

No, it does not need to be 3D.

[@marwan191162]

How can i get full information about this,..........in term of price, company profile, so on............

[@jasperpaguio2320]

u can use that to camouflage ur car at night or ur house :D just need to match the backgrounds where ur car or house are in front.