How to Create Curved Surface Mapping
Learn techniques for mapping onto curved and irregular surfaces. Master warping for non-flat projection targets.
Mapping onto curved surfaces requires careful warping and mesh manipulation. Learn how to adapt your projections to non-flat surfaces.
Understanding Curved Surfaces
Curved surfaces include cylinders, spheres, domes, and irregular organic shapes. Each requires different approaches to achieve accurate mapping.
Basic Technique
1. Create Multiple Surfaces: Break complex curves into multiple quad surfaces. Each surface maps a section of the curve.
2. Use Corner Warping: Drag corner handles to match the curve's shape. Use X-ray mode to see the actual surface while aligning.
3. Adjust Mesh Density: For smoother curves, you may need to subdivide surfaces or use multiple overlapping surfaces.
4. Test and Refine: Project onto the actual surface and adjust corners until the image follows the curve naturally.
Tips for Success
- Start with the overall shape, then refine details
- Use reference points on the physical surface to guide alignment
- Consider the viewing angle—what looks right from one angle may need adjustment from another
- For very complex curves, use multiple projectors with edge blending
Map Club's intuitive warping tools make curved surface mapping accessible. Practice with simple curves before tackling complex shapes.