> In House Video Mapping Content Creation
> In House Design and Production for events and installation
> In House High Power Projector and Video Server Supply for events
> Pre / Post Event Promotion
> Development of unique Video Mapping concepts and content
> Integration of Interactive and gaming elements
Video Mapping and Building Projection have become an important creative tool in recent years. Many clients have used this exciting and memorable art form to highlight their products and entertain their audiences. Nokia, Nissan, Jagermeister, Timberland, Visit Britain and The Royal Marines are some of the clients that LCI has provided Video Mapping for, creating all the content in house as well as delivering the technical solutions.
Building projection took off commercially in the 1990’s, with monumental slide projections being used for events, Son et Lumiere shows and advertising. With advances in video projection technology came more creative uses as designers and artists sought to create illusions and play with the shapes of buildings. Video Mapping and Building Projection have now become fused into a new art form that allows public spaces to be turned into a stunning video canvass.
The technology background
Since the early days of cinema, technology has struggled to provide large format images. The silver screens of those early years were developed specifically to cope with the low light levels generated by the early film projectors. (Silver screens are now returning to cinemas for 3D projections, to reflect the polarized light back).
Later on higher power 35mm projectors became standard, and very high power slide projectors were produced. The forerunner to video mapping can be seen in high power slide projection shows, where slides were created to fit on to structures.
It is the development of LCD and DLP projectors that video mapping has become possible. These projectors produce very high output power, and can readily be transported and setup quickly. Early video projectors used CRT Technology and Oil Film projectors like the Eidaphor and the Talaria, but neither would have been suitable for video mapping. The huge Eidaphor video projectors were invented in the late 1930’s and used in Nasa Mission Control during the Apollo missions. Their light output was only beaten in the 1990’s with the advent of DLP and LCD projectors.
The other essential ingredient for the development of video mapping is video control solutions. This allows images to be warped (distorted) and blended so that multiple projectors can be used to create a single image. Video mapping also relies on new video editing software, 3D modelling programs and special effects programs, which allow sophisticated content to be created.
In the last few years the cost of both projectors and control solutions has decreased, while the output power of the projectors, and the features for the control solutions have both increased.
How does it work? – The Doll’s House Experiment
Video mapping can of course be used with any shapes. Mannequins, cars, stage sets and floors have all been ‘video mapped’ to great effect. But the effect of seeing an iconic landmark such as Marble Arch or the Angel of the North transformed and textured is probably the most exciting form of video mapping.
As the name states video mapping works by creating video that is mapped to an object. In order to do this a ‘map’ of the building or object needs to be created. This is done using a combination of photography, measurement, and computer modelling. Content can then be created using the map to align everything to the building features.
Video Mapping demonstration on a Dollshouse
Computer graphics and 3D animation allow content creators the opportunity to transform a mapped building or shape to great effect. A favourite illusion for instance is ‘destruction’ and many buildings have been given the illusion of tumbling to the ground. Video post-production software is also invaluable when creating mapping effects. But a Video Mapper with a reasonable budget is only really limited by their imagination and the client brief.
There are important considerations when choosing a site for Building Mapping. The best results require almost complete darkness and a light coloured façade, and windows are covered.