Mapping with Playback Software

[GregMckay]

Alright guys

Anyone know of any free software out there I can play back a video file (.wmv) and do some mapping using a projector?

If not free then as cheap as possible!!!

Cheers

G

[mac.calder]

Mapping or Masking? I make this distinction because there are effectively 2 different techniques often referred to as mapping - one involves taking a clip and covering up the bits you do not want to project - everything is in 2d space. If you have an animation of a ball moving from left to right at a constant pace and are projecting onto a wall with a pillar in the center, it will cross from the wall to the pillar and back to the wall seamlessly - it will not slow down or take into consideration that there is a pillar there.. The other method is to create your environment in 3d space. You then map the clip to the 3d object and "observe" it with a virtual camera which has the same point of view as the projector in real life. In this same scenario, looking straight at the pillar, the ball will appear to "disappear" around the side of the pillar and wrap around it. If said same wall was to have a window in it, both methods would not project where the glass is, however they would treat the architrave around it differently.

 

For what I consider mapping (working in 3d space), VLC and a 3d modeling application are all you need - in the land of the free, Blender or SketchUP.

 

For 2d masking there is a wealth of free VJ software that will be able to play back a mask or apply a transparent PNG layer if you wanted to do it live, otherwise, render it out in some video editing software.

[kitlane]

Take a look at VPT.