How to get a distortion free clear image when projecting and tracing for artwork!

This video will go over how to project and trace with a projector for artwork, including how to properly line up a projector. Tips on improving image quality. And tips to prevent distortion in your image! So when you project and trace you can be assured you do not have to make multiple corrections!
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A 1080P native DLP Pico projector can be found here (crisper image )
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.My top pic for a budget pico DLP projector as of sept 2022. OOS as of 12/ 2023 will update if more become available.
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A budget stand like used in this video
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00:00 Intro
02:33 Alignment
07:40 about keystone correction
09:44 Preparing the image for best display
11:50 About native resolution

[@TheAIRspace]

Thanks Guys hope you got a lot from this! Check description for product links!

[@sandrajohnson2489]

Hey there. Are you not on social media any longer? I can't find you on Instagram or Facebook. Anyway, I just watched your video on using a compressor (not an airbrush compressor) and want to ask a question. I have a pancake compressor and have the attachment that goes into this compressor but I don't have an attachment for my airbrush. Which one do I need to buy? Everything I have is for a Paasche and not for any other airbrush. All of the Paasche airbrushes are in pieces and I really don't feel like putting one together. I actually don't prefer this brand anyway. I'm currently using a cheapo Master G22 which has done me well for the things I paint. Nothing tedious or tiny. I am in touch with Master on the web but they can't seem to understand what I'm talking about. Can you help me?

[@TheAIRspace]

@@sandrajohnson2489 I am still on insta and facebook, just a lot going on. I have a video explaining the adapters. However its 1/4 inch NPT to 1/8 inch BSP

[@sandrajohnson2489]

@@TheAIRspace Thank you! I ordered a hose with these connectors. I hope that what you have going on is making $$$$$ with your gorgeous paintings!!!

[@MrIbBeier]

Through years of trial and error, I arrived at a method, that is SO precise - perfect for portraits. 1) Firstly I trace most of the picture like You do above, - but not the face, only the outline of the face and hair. I am saving the facial features for 1000% accuracy - even the slight bending of the canvas when drawing, distorts too much I find. Then I take a transparent sheet of plastic ( like we used in our class Projectors in schools in the 80s ), put it in top of the canvas where the head is with a piece of tape, and I trace the outline of the face and hair on that. I now open the picture on pc - preferably Photoshop, I put the transparent sheet on the screen with a bit of tape - and zoom in and out, until the outline on the transparent sheet matches the picture on the pc! THEN I draw with a Faber-Castell Multimark pen ( any pen that will draw on plastic will do off course ) all the very exact details inside the face, and hairs. NPW You have a 1000% perfect tracing of the facial features....It doesnt matter too much ( usually ) if the drawing on canvas from the projector is slightly off on the shirtm background and what not, so I only use the details from the face. Lastly I put the transparent sheet on the canvas now, with a piece of tape, lift the corner of the sheet - draws a few lines, lifts it again draw a few lines, ( looks like how they drew animation frames in olden times ), until I have the whole face sketched from the transparent. 1000% perfect - ADDED BONUS: Sometimes through the painting process, one colors outside the lines a bit here and there, sometimes its okay, but..when its NOT, You just lay your sheet again on the canvas, over Your painting and You have a visual view of the face 1000% perfect. :) And can I lastly just say - I dont know why, but You just seems to be such a nice and cheerful personality, I am sure that if we lived nearby, I would have so much fun learning from You!!! Kind regards from Denmark, Ib

[@TheAIRspace]

Trasnsfer paper like you mentioned can be very useful for perfect accuracy. I work quite a bit faster than that usually. And rely a bit on my drawing skills. But I still trace and use a projector or any method that speeds things up or aids in accuracy from time to time. Thank you for the kind words!

[@pigmentsplatter]

Good to see you back with a good technical video, covered loads of info, the how's and why's👍 18mths time flies... DVD's!! I'm getting old, I still remember VHS 😉😂

[@TheAIRspace]

Well the last 3 months obviously has had me out of the game. With 7 people one being a toddler finding a quiet time to record is near impossible. 😅 Yeah 18 months wow. I should’ve made this video long ago but I never realized how many struggled with them. Of course I didn’t start prepping my images until I could tell some were not quite accurate. Took me a while for the lightbulb to come on and find a solution. Good to see you swinging by buddy!

[@avihana2002]

Wow! I’m so happy I found your channel and this video! There’s other vids which show and compare the different projectors for art, but this one is the first and maybe only vid that addresses how to eliminate distortion. I thank you very much as I do struggle with distortion even with overhead projection. If you have any tips for overhead projector set up for the best images I would really appreciate it!

[@TheAIRspace]

Honestly I use a solid breaker projector mount for overhead. And everything else applies. Keystone correction off. Align with my grid I could not find any videos detailing distortion issues. Hence why I made this one. Most of it was trial and error. And a little understanding of how upscaling worked. Thanks!

[@Big2bees]

An option I do is to make duplicates of the image in Photoshop ie. one with grid for easy alignment; another in black and white (or posterized) for distinguishing tonal values. This way all versions of the images are of the same sizes. I also resize the original image first before making duplicates. Connecting the projector to your computer also makes it convenient if you use Photoshop extensively as you only need to open your [edited image in psd file] and project different versions of image via Layers. Yes, if you can use Photoshop filters to transform a duplicate of your image to line drawing, it will be way easier. Nice video you have here, very informative! Keep it up!

[@TheAIRspace]

Im not a photo shop guy, but definitely if you have those skills by far that is the best most accurate way to go! Thanks!

[@Emycon]

THis is really helpful!!

[@TheAIRspace]

Glad you think so!

[@ian7583]

U are a wealth of naw lage bud thanks 😊

[@TheAIRspace]

Thanks!

[@avihana2002]

Thanks!

[@TheAIRspace]

Thank you so much!

[@FrankCurtiss]

You might be my spirit animal.

[@thomasmacdonald8145]

I’m currently using the Kodak Luma 150 for my art. It’s okay but struggles to get the resolution I’m looking for. What would be the projector you’d recommend? Thanks!

[@mauritaeaton]

Hi great vid!! I'm not tech savvy but could follow most of your instructions. Thank you so much. I would like to get a grid to double check alignment as you suggested, but I don't have Procreate....any other way of doing it off my iphone etc.?? thanks for your help

[@TheAIRspace]

google alignment grid there are some for projectors much more detailed than the square grid I use. So you can get as sophisticated as you like. :) But honestly any straight squared grid image will work. Thank you!

[@cliffg4975]

Hi Bill Love your videos. I have a question. Could you do a video on how to do flames on a white background please.

[@TheAIRspace]

Ive done it, its a tough one. Im just getting back to making content.. so keep on me and ill find some time somewhere but probably after the holidays!

[@cliffg4975]

@@TheAIRspace Thanks Bill for getting back to me. Hope your health is fine. I will look forward to nagging you in the new year. If anyone can do this you can. hope you and your family have a great Christmas Cliff.

[@marcelchenier]

Apologies for the simple question, but I am new to using Procreate. How do you properly bring the canvas-sized subject file onto the pixel-sized file? I've done it using copy/paste, but am uncertain if this is the correct method. I'd also like to thank you once again for the tutorial on prepping the image for the projector's native resolution. I've never heard of this before and it's a great thing to know. I've just acquired one of the larger sized Optima 1080p projectors b/c of the large scale, highly detailed type of work that I do. I'm looking forward to utilizing everything you've shown in this video.

[@TheAIRspace]

Copy and paste can be ok.. However I much prefer to save the Canvas sized file, create the new procreate document at pixel size and then add the saved image. When it populates it will automatically fill the page without stretching Thanks!

[@TheAIRspace]

you could alternatively just create the pixel sized image, and fit it, but I found its much better to see the image as it will appear on the canvas Because pixel ie resolution size will never match the canvas dimension.

[@marcelchenier]

@@TheAIRspaceI create the 32" x 40" canvas, drop my subject onto it, and then name the file. I create the pixel canvas. I hit ADD but cannot locate the previously created 32" X 40" canvas anywhere. I'm not sure why I'm prevented from seeing it. Any suggestions to make this easier are warmly welcomed, sir! :)

[@TheAIRspace]

hit the wrench icon and share, i usually save image to photos @@marcelchenier

[@TERENCERIMMER]

HI THE YANKYO BURGER WHERE CAN I GET THE APPARATUS TO MAKE THE YANKYO VEIWING DOWN ONTO THE CANVAS RATHATHER THAN STRAIGHT ONTO THE EASEL CANVAS

[@4547-History]

They work well for Adult flicks too LOL mines the same we talked about this before

[@TheAIRspace]

:0 truth be I only use my projector for art stuff. I got a big TV that works fine. i don't see the need for a bigger screen in my house. I used to want a theater room all setup, but lost interest now :) If I wanted a projector for home theater id have to look into a pricey ultra short throw, which i may do at some point. But this will display a pretty decent movie image.

[@einarjungmann273]

Hello, I have a question about a tripod. Should I get the classic one or the 360 degree swivel head for proper grid adjustment? Thank you for answer

[@TheAIRspace]

i prefer the classic base with an adjustable tripod because its more stable on the base of the projector. the swivel balls can be a bit flimsy in how they hold the projector while pico is pretty light and it is easily doable... i just like the stable base better.

[@evelynm.8967]

Book jenga!! Lmao, I was just playing that game!

[@jeffreygriffith1449]

What projector, tripod, and program do you think I should use ? I really appreciate it and enjoy your channel. Thanks

[@TheAIRspace]

unless you are always working very large (excess of 3x4 feet) DLP pico are the way to go.. Budget wise the vast majority will be 480P like the one im using. I left a link in the description If you want a very thorough video on why DLP use the link from the vid endscreen or just look at popular videos off my main page. But I did put an under 200(at the moment) pico dlp thats even a bit brighter than mine in the description. Programs that's entirely up to you. I dont do a lot of digital art, and have an ipad so procreate works ok for me. But there are a lot of apps and programs that are way better at editing and cleaning up photos. The only thing you really need is something to scale and resize images. Which just about any image editing program does. Affinity/photoshop/gimp There are even several online photo editing programs now.

[@jeffreygriffith1449]

@@TheAIRspace thank you

[@jainejackson8897]

Please advise what projector you used as I am confused how to select one that will throw say 20" and a lot larger/. is it just how close you have it positioned?

[@TheAIRspace]

yes its just a matter of how far you are from the surface. if you want very large images most of the time you will want to use a high resolution projector NATIVE The resolution listed as native a mentioned is what matters there are projectors that can zoom in and out but those are a lot more complex larger and expensive.. and even then they are limited in how much zoom they have. Made for home theaters and likely not going to get down to 20 inches.

[@MaryBryan-zh1dl]

What projector do you use? How important are Lumens when buying a projector for art?

[@TheAIRspace]

Lumens is heavily dependent on how bright you need the room to be and how big an image you need In this video the pico was the vankyo burger Today I would buy the aaxa p7 plus. I believe it’s listed in the description

[@marcelchenier]

By adjusting the size of the image in Procreate to fit the canvas seems to provide superior resolution. Does this mean there's not much use in purchasing (for example) a larger, more expensive 1080p BenQ short throw projector?

[@TheAIRspace]

Essentially as mentioned 480 p is dvd quality. if you are working on anything smaller than 24x32 I don't see the need for a high end projector.. for tracing laying out etc. The DLP Pico projectors are IMO the ideal solution for that. And ive been using the burger for my portrait work for at least 3 years now. In my case I have an adjustable digital copy stand I use for everything up to 18x24 so I am laying my canvas horizontal on that. Making my line up extraordinarily easy. But definitely without getting any more long winded. Adjusting the image resolution to match the projector and canvas size you will get a very crisp image. not throwing away pixels allows 480p to be plenty.

[@marcelchenier]

Thank you for the generous response,@@TheAIRspace . My work is photo realism with pieces at 30" x 40", so pretty large and capturing details is important. As is saving money. So I've been back and forth on what to buy. I've already purchased a high-end BenQ & returned it, unsure if I need to go that route & not something smaller. I have to admit the BenQ was pretty awesome, but for 1K CAD I don't think I'll go back to that. But you have shown some interesting details, especially about the sizing of the image, which is something I've never seen before. Finding great resources related to projectors is surprisingly difficult, so thank you for your videos. If you happen to have any advice on a suitable projector for high resolution, good contrast, for working at 30" x 40", your opinion would be warmly welcomed.

[@TheAIRspace]

@@marcelchenier Stick with DLP projectors but you might want to go for 1080 p at that dimension if you really want to see the most details. as mentioned here id convert to a line drawing to make getting things marked out much much faster at that dimension and much easier to make out. If you are ok with that though you could definitely get by with a small pico DLP projector. if you are fairly quick at your tracing. You wont have much issue finding full size projectors that can focus at that dimension. youll need to look at throw ratio to find out how much distance you need between canvas and projector. There are some decent pico DLPs that do 1080p but they are priced in the 5-600 ish dollar range. I guess im kinda thinking while typing.. what would i do.. Honestly 30x40 id still use my pico DLP but I tend to get my rough dimensions in fairly quickly and add the details as I paint. large portraits would be no issue at all.. huge swaths of cityscapes might getty some fuzzy edges.

[@theanaloguefix]

Is this the 101 model...thanx

[@TheAIRspace]

Yes but I doubt you can find it now Except in closeouts The aaxa p7 plus is brighter with much better resolution now. A few others on the cheap end the amoowa. I think I have links for both in the description

[@elizabethpeck4932]

What’s the name of the projector that you are using in this video?

[@TheAIRspace]

Its discontinued, however there are links in the description for similiar projectors.

[@-gbogbo-]

Hi sir, I would like a projector which can project and focuses an image as tiny as 6 x 8 inches, does this exist ? Don't mind native or not :-)

[@TheAIRspace]

most pico DLP projectors will do this. Check this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3a8aJega810laM at about 7:19 I show mine doing just that. :)

[@-gbogbo-]

Thank you very much

[@TheAIRspace]

@@-gbogbo- you are very welcome!

[@Raeyavon]

How do you create the grid in procreate?

[@TheAIRspace]

Its one of the brushes actually Under textures Grid is the first thing that pops up.. Adjust size and color to suit.

[@Raeyavon]

@@TheAIRspace thank you so much!

[@rhyannonp8231]

is that the Vankyo Burger 101 with 50 lumens?

[@TheAIRspace]

this was rated at 100 ANSI lumens. Check the description for more up to date links :)