Projection mapping – seeing is believing
Projection mapping is an artform which has grown in prominence in the Twenty First century. It has become part of the scenery at large scale music events and brought history and fantasy alive at visitor attractions from heritage sites to Disney World. Projection mapping campaigns have also been used by brands to provide larger than life messaging.
Blackbeam Cinematic, based in Devon in the southwest of England, projection mapping is one of the services provided and is the tech behind some very cool campaigns the company has provided projection support for.
At the base of a mighty castle a green dragon snoozes along the length of the wall. Inside another, a snake slithers over a book whose turning pages tell the castle’s history. On a busy London street, a herd of giraffes nose along third storey windows of a building, while an unassuming village hall is transformed into a state of the art superclub with images dancing on walls and ceilings.
This is the magic of projection mapping, a technology that turns ordinary surfaces into dynamic visual experiences.
What is projection mapping?
Projection mapping is an advanced technique that projects images or animations onto irregular surfaces, such as buildings, objects, or landscapes.
Unlike traditional projection, which works on flat screens, projection mapping considers the shape and texture of the surface, adjusting visuals to fit perfectly, allowing artists and designers to create illusions that blend seamlessly with real-world environments.
Put simply, a building which is being projection mapped onto, can be used to best effect with imagery that takes advantage of features likes windows or columns, with bespoke content which plays across the background – such as snake slithering up a column, or a mouse swinging down from the roof to steal a piece of cheese.
Projection mapping history – from Illusion to innovation
Projection took a giant leap in popular culture in the 18th century when a Dutch scientist named Christiaan Huygens created a Magic Lantern using concave mirrors and condensers to channel the light of lanterns effectively enough to project images a significant distance.
In the 19th century, the development of illusionary effects such as Pepper’s Ghost, was another technique which suspended the imagination of theatrical audiences. But t wasn’t really until the late 20th/early 21st century when the tech advanced to the point where projectors were powerful enough to create the kind of projection mapping campaign that caused jaws to drop!
The next level of projection mapping is already here, with structures such as The Sphere in Las Vegas becoming a giant 360 canvas hosting incredible imagery.
How Projection Mapping Works
Projection mapping might look like sorcery, but it’s powered by cutting-edge technology. The process involves a number of stages, which sees creatives and technicians working together to maximise the effect.
- Surface Scanning – The target structure is mapped using 3D modelling to capture its shape and depth.
- Content Creation – Animators design visuals tailored to the contours of the surface.
- Projection & Calibration – High-powered projectors display the visuals, aligned precisely with the object.
- Software Control – Programs like TouchDesigner and Resolume synchronize the visuals, ensuring seamless projection.
- Mind-Blowing Applications of Projection Mapping
For anyone who has been to a big music festival, such as Glastonbury in the UK, will be aware of the power of projection mapping to transform dance stage structures in areas like Block 9 into interactive worlds.
However, projection mapping is also popular on a smaller scale, used by towns and cities to as a focal point for events and celebrations. It is also proving extremely popular as a tool to engage younger audiences with the past – in effect, bringing history alive.
Blackbeam Cinematic works with UK heritage visitor attractions in this respect. Examples of work include projects for Tretower and Caerphilly castles in Wales, where interiors are turned into interactive engagement spaces, with mini projectors telling the stories of the place through the creative use of animated visuals and sound.
Conclusion
Projection mapping will only get more sophisticated in the future, and Las Vegas’ Sphere shows the way, due to the ever growing demand for immersive experiences. It has so many possibilities for use, from brand messaging and advertising to bringing a different aspect to culture and heritage, and of course shedding light on the sometimes drab outside world (especially in the middle of winter!).
