facebook Pros & Cons of Projection Mapping
Projection Mapping on Building

In previous posts in this series we’ve gone over the history of projection mapping, and we’ve also gone over how projection mapping is accomplished. So now that you know what goes into a projection mapping project, we can talk about the pros, cons, and potential alternatives.

Projection Mapping on Building

The Pros of Projection Mapping

With enough time, effort, and expertise, you can map on almost any object. A small sculpture could be mapped on with just one projector, or you could use a few more projectors for a full 360 map. Or you could go all out and project on a facade of a classic building. In this case, projection would be much more attainable than covering the building in a video wall.

Projection Mapping Example

You can create an amazing effect with projection mapping and really capture an audience’s attention. Projection mapping is great for temporary installations, promotions, or events. Renting a projector for a night or two is much more affordable than some of the projection mapping alternatives. Plus, being able to map onto a local landmark, building, sculpture, or interesting product is super cool.

Projection Mapping Con

The Cons of Projection Mapping

Unfortunately, projection mapping does have some cons. First and foremost is that it’s hard, if not impossible, to see in high-light situations. This means from the very beginning you have time restrictions. If you wanted to map an advertisement onto a building, it couldn’t be seen from sun-up to sun-down, and you’re missing all of that precious traffic.

Projection mapping on building

Depending on what you’re trying to do, the content you map could get pretty crazy. Projection mapping projects could require custom designed content and possibly some pretty advanced mapping. Unless you have the skills, or the backing of a team that does, you could be looking at a pretty hefty expense. When this is the case, the animation or content loops tend to be shorter, which usually makes it more effective for those temporary events instead of a permanent installation.

Person blocking projector

Projector location is always a tough one. Projection mapping helps combat some of the challenges, but it may not always be an ideal solution. Say you’re doing a 360 projection mapping around a complicated sculpture.You need to account for each angle that the audience could be seeing it from- in front of, behind, above, or below the object as a whole or certain pieces. We could add in some projectors here or there to make it happen, but once you get a crowd of people, you’ll have issues with them stepping into the light and blocking the projection, or even worse, stepping on or running into a projector. It’s certainly not impossible to obtain a quality projection mapping like this, but it can be challenging.

Reflection

Lastly, keep in mind that how that objects material handles the light may be a challenge. For example, if you projected onto an item with a reflective surface you could create a really cool effect, but it may be difficult to get the look you were wanting.

Faux Video Wall

Projection Mapping Alternatives

Note that these alternatives may or may not work for your particular project. Projection may be the best way to go, and these may not be as close to a projection mapping solution as you may need, but we want to help you know what other options you may have.

For smaller projects, you could look at installing a monitor or two with custom facades. If you’re trying to obtain the look of a circular screen, you could create a custom housing that essentially covered up the corners and only allowed a circle to be shown. Depending on the size needed, a large display with a custom housing could be a more cost effective option.

Custom LED Video Walls

(Pictures from our project at the Indeed HQ in Austin)

The most common alternative to a projection mapping project that we suggest is video walls. Video wall panels can be arranged in unique shapes (depending on the shape you may need a facade depending on the shape). The panels are bright and visible during the day allowing you to capture more attention. Pricing on a video wall can vary depending on size and complexity, but it may be a good option for your project.

Curved LED Video Wall

Adding on to that, you could look into a Flexible Video Wall. These are more expensive than typical video walls, but can be curved and shaped into more unique 3d shapes which can get you closer to the projection mapping effect you may be going for.


In the next post in this series, we’ll be looking at use cases and some examples of projection mapping in the flesh. Until then, if you have any questions on if projection mapping is right for your project, or if you’re looking for alternative ideas, send us a message, and we’ll give you the best advice for your project.

REACH OUT






    Featured Article

    Ascend Studios Wins Best of Florida Regional Award in Audio/Visual Equipment Category!

    We are beyond excited to announce that Ascend Studios has won the Best of Florida Regional Award in the Audio/Visual equipment category from Guide to Florida! This incredible recognition highlights our passion for delivering top-tier AV solutions that truly make an impact! Customized Automation Solutions for Every Space At Ascend Studios, we don’t just install […]

    Learn More
    Featured Project

    Burns & McDonnell, EPIC LED Video Wall

    Designing the Ultimate 360 EPIC LED Video Wall Room

    Our friends at Burns & McDonnell, the world’s top engineering firm, tasked us with designing and building an EPIC, State-of-the-art 360 LED video wall room. Consequently, this state-of-the-art space allows them to preview all their 3D CAD files and engineering projects physically. As a result, it provides an immersive experience that significantly enhances collaboration with their teams and clients.

    Enhancing Collaboration Beyond VR

    Although many companies use VR for CAD file walkthroughs, VR often falls short regarding real-time discussion. Specifically, it lacks the capability for team members to see where others are focusing or pointing. Therefore, our 360 LED video wall bridges this gap by allowing everyone in the room to view and discuss the designs simultaneously, creating a more interactive and engaging experience. Our 360 LED video wall allows everyone to experience their out-of-this-world design but also shows the client why Burns & McDonnell is simply the best engineering firm in the world. They are always pushing the edge of technology to set the standard within their industry.

    Proud Partnership with Burns & McDonnell

    We are genuinely thrilled to be Burns & McDonnell’s official LED video wall partner. Notably, witnessing their innovative launch pad designs and experiencing the sensation of being 40 stories high up is truly extraordinary. This project not only highlights their groundbreaking designs but also underscores why Burns & McDonnell remains a leader in engineering excellence.

    Collaboration with Igloo Vision

    In this groundbreaking project, we partnered with Igloo Vision, whose software suite expertly manages the 3D CAD integrations. Meanwhile, Ascend took charge of all other aspects, including software and media management, hardware design, installation, and implementation. Consequently, this collaboration ensured a seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies.

    A Global First – 360 LED video Wall Room

    We are proud to announce that this is the world’s first 360 LED video wall room. Furthermore, it is a pioneering achievement, with only one other similar room located in Dubai. Thus, the immersive experience provided by this room is truly mind-blowing and sets a new benchmark in the industry.

    Easy Streaming and Control

    The system allows the Burns & McDonnell team to stream their designs effortlessly from networked computers or through local wireless connections. Additionally, our design includes high-quality K-Array speakers, full-color programmable recessed lighting, and a sophisticated control system. Consequently, team members can easily manage everything using a wall-mounted touch panel or Surface tablet, making the system both intuitive and user-friendly.

    A Team Effort

    This project was indeed a significant team effort involving the entire Ascend team. We are extremely proud of the final product and deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such an innovative and industry-leading client.

    Watch the Installation Film

    Finally, don’t miss the film showcasing the installation process. It beautifully captures the transformation and highlights the incredible features of the world’s first 360 LED video wall room!

    See Project