Projection Mapping Part II: Applications Worthy Of The Gods

Anything can be a canvas – with the right technology: We delve deeper into projection mapping and explain what you need for breathtaking projection visuals.

The Olympic Games in Paris this year provided many memorable and even historic moments the world will remember for a long time. This was mainly due to the athletic performances of the sportspeople who upheld the Olympic spirit, but the impressive ceremonies and shows surrounding the competitions also contributed to making it a memorable event.

We would like to focus on two special spectacles: First, the cycling track in the Velodrome, which became the canvas for impressive content about the sport; second, the breathtaking light show on the Olympic swimming pool, which brought fascinating visuals to the water and presented the element literally in the best light.

What do these two installations have in common? They are both projection mappings at a professional level. We have already talked about this projection technology in the past and discussed the basics. Now we're going deeper into the subject: What exactly needs to come together to create a successful and attractive mapping?

The right conditions for a successful show

As mentioned before, powerful projectors with high brightness are usually the ones used. In addition, depending on the projection, a large number of projectors are in action, whose images are mixed using a soft-edge installation. The images are then warped to adapt them pixel by pixel to the respective structure onto which they are projected. It is crucial that the mapping takes place outdoors at night or indoors in a darkened room to avoid interference from the sun and other light sources.

Outdoor mappings typically require 20,000 to 50,000 ANSI lumens, while immersive indoor mappings use 10,000 to 12,000 ANSI lumens, with the actual brightness needed depending on specific project conditions. It is possible to map onto a huge variety of surfaces. Whether it's a smooth surface like a racetrack or a complex, uneven structure like a building facade – or something completely unusual like a filled water pool or even a fog wall, as seen at InfoComm in Las Vegas. While the last two examples are more suitable as novelty eye-catchers due to the uneven and constantly moving surfaces and the rather unclear image, they nevertheless demonstrate the many different and creative ways in which projection can be used.

Improved devices, new technology

One aspect that makes installations more efficient and simpler is, among other things, projection with laser light sources: For example, it reduces the number of projectors needed for large mappings due to their efficiency, saving both time and resources on site. In addition, installations can be operated for much longer without having to change lamps – operating costs are further reduced this way. Through the further development of technologies, projectors are also becoming more compact and efficient: Lighter devices facilitate installation, better cooling systems further streamline operation.

So, it's no wonder that mapping is a popular application in various fields. It’s even so popular that at the Olympic Games, one of the world's largest sporting events, several breathtaking mappings were on display. Projection mapping is capable of bringing more imagination and creativity directly into reality – and it's becoming increasingly easy to do so.