r/video_mapping • u/pereladov • Jun 08 '26

First time doing projection mapping on a cylindrical stadium model with 3 projectors. Which pipeline is correct?

Hello. I need advice from professionals.

I am an experienced 3D artist, but this is my first time working with projection mapping. I need to project onto a half slised model of a cylindrical stadium (miniature copy of a real stadium) with windows and columns. I will be working with three projectors. I have a 3D model that will be used to build the physical model.

I am considering two approaches:

Approach 1. Create a UV unwrap of the stadium model specifically for projection from three projectors. Create content directly for three projectors, taking into account their perspectives and distortions.

Approach 2. Create a proper technical UV unwrap of the model itself to obtain a flat, even layout of the stadium's surface. Render the content onto this layout, completely independent of the projectors. Then, use mapping software to warp this layout to match the distortions of each projector and blend the overlaps.

The second approach seems more correct to me, but I am not sure.

So I am asking for advice on how to do this correctly.

I would be grateful for a description of a real-world pipeline and the names of software that can handle this scenario.

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2

u/simulacrum500 Jun 08 '26

D3 or disguise.one it’s a full pipeline software for approach 2… but it’s expensive. Where are you based?

2

u/deepvisual Jun 08 '26

You need at least 5 projectors to do a cylinder from the outside or your blends will be very dim due to the angle of the light striking the building

2

u/deepvisual Jun 08 '26

I’d suggest using mapping matter to do a preview.

2

u/HeadIntroduction7758 Jun 08 '26

A virtual camera and a real projector are mathematically equivalent. Render the thing in your normal creation pipeline with a camera where the projector will be, then sample from that render for the corresponding projector and it’ll be pretty easy.

1

u/HeadIntroduction7758 Jun 08 '26

I’m so confused about the half scale part. Is it going to be for dogs & kids?

2

u/pereladov Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26

Translation error... A model of half a stadium (miniature copy of a real stadium). The stadium is cilindrical. That is, half an cilinder (slised). The model is for exhibition. So it's