# Projection Mapping Setup

This guide covers the full workflow for setting up a multi-projector mapping rig from scratch — from physical projector placement through VIOSO calibration to final playback.

## Overview

A typical projection mapping setup involves:

1. **Physical placement** — position projectors so they cover the target surface with the desired overlap.
2. **Planning** — sketch or calculate the projector layout before installation.
3. **Calibration** — use VIOSO AutoAlign (or manual warp) to correct geometry and blend edges.
4. **Configuration** — load the calibration into Exaplay's Outputs.
5. **Content** — create compositions mapped to the calibrated output geometry.
6. **Playback** — run the show with warp and blend active.

***

## Step 1 — Plan the Projector Layout

Before installing hardware, sketch the layout on paper or use a projection-calculation tool to determine:

* Projector positions and throw distances to the surface.
* Lens shift and tilt angles required.
* The overlap zone between adjacent projectors (aim for **15–25 %** of the image width).
* Total combined canvas resolution (e.g. 3 projectors × 1920 px = 5760 px wide, minus overlaps).

Having a pre-calculated layout saves time on site and ensures the overlap regions are consistent.

***

## Step 2 — Set Up Physical Projectors

Place and aim projectors on-site according to the plan. Key considerations:

| Factor            | Guidance                                                              |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Overlap**       | 15–25 % overlap between adjacent projectors for smooth edge blending  |
| **Edge softness** | More overlap → smoother blend possible; less overlap → harder blend   |
| **Lens shift**    | Prefer optical shift over digital shift for image quality             |
| **Keystone**      | Minimise physical keystone before using VIOSO correction              |
| **Brightness**    | Match projectors of the same model and lamp age for consistent colour |

***

## Step 3 — Configure Outputs in Exaplay

1. Open **Config → Outputs**.
2. Add one output for each projector.
3. Set the resolution and refresh rate to match each projector.
4. Name outputs clearly: `LEFT_PROJ`, `CENTRE_PROJ`, `RIGHT_PROJ`.
5. Set the **X/Y position** of each output to match the Windows display arrangement.

***

## Step 4 — VIOSO AutoAlign Calibration

If you have a calibration camera and VIOSO AutoAlign installed:

1. Open the **Auto Calibration** view in Exaplay (`/autocalibration`).
2. Follow the on-screen wizard:
   * Mount the calibration camera with a clear view of all projection surfaces.
   * The system projects a series of structured-light patterns.
   * VIOSO captures and analyses the patterns.
   * A `.vwf` calibration file is generated per projector.
3. Load the `.vwf` file for each output: **Config → Outputs → Load Warp File**.
4. Toggle **Warp Enable** ON for each output.

***

## Step 5 — Manual Warp (Without VIOSO)

For single-projector setups or fine-tuning without AutoAlign:

1. Select an output in **Config → Outputs**.
2. Click **Edit Warp**.
3. The warp editor opens with a grid of control points overlaid on the output.

### Control Point Adjustment

| Action            | Keyboard / Mouse               |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Select point**  | Click the point                |
| **Fine adjust**   | Arrow keys (0.01 units)        |
| **Coarse adjust** | Shift + Arrow keys (0.1 units) |
| **Cycle points**  | Tab / Shift+Tab                |
| **Deselect**      | Escape                         |
| **Reset all**     | Click **Reset** button         |

### Interpolation

* **Linear** — fast, good for most setups
* **Spline (Catmull-Rom)** — smoother curves for irregular surfaces (requires ≥ 3×3 grid)

***

## Step 6 — Edge Blending

For overlapping projectors, configure edge blending after warping:

1. **Config → Outputs → Edge Blend**.
2. Set **Blend Width** for each overlapping edge (0–100 %).
3. Adjust the **Gamma Curve** to control the blend falloff shape.
4. Play a test image (white fill or grey ramp) and check for visible seams.
5. Iterate blend width and gamma until the join is invisible.

***

## Step 7 — Colour Matching

After warp and blend, projectors may have slightly different colour temperature or brightness. Use the **Luminance effect** on each output to match:

1. Select an output in the Timeline.
2. Add a **Luminance effect** in the Inspector.
3. Adjust **Brightness** and **Gamma** until all projectors look identical on a mid-grey test image.

***

## Step 8 — Content Creation

When creating video content for a mapped surface:

* Design content at the **combined resolution** of all projectors (e.g. 3 × 1920 = 5760 px wide for a three-projector horizontal rig).
* Or design per-projector content and use Exaplay's layer system to position it.
* For architectural mapping with complex shapes, export render from 3D tools at the native output geometry.

***

## Step 9 — Final Checks

| Check                 | Tool                               |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Geometry aligned      | Test-pattern → grid overlay        |
| Blend seamless        | White fill image — no visible seam |
| Colour matched        | Mid-grey ramp — uniform brightness |
| FPS stable            | DiagnosticsPanel                   |
| Warp saved in project | Save `.vpp`                        |

***

## Standalone Warp Widget

For on-site fine-tuning using a tablet, open the **Standalone Warp Widget** at `/warpblend`. This minimal view is optimised for touch and gives direct access to all warp control points without the full editor.


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