How to Create Interactive Projection Mapping
Add interactivity to your projections. Create installations that respond to touch, movement, or other inputs.
Interactive projection mapping creates engaging experiences where audiences become part of the installation.
Types of Interactivity
Touch Interaction: Installations that respond to touch, typically using touch-sensitive surfaces or cameras.
Motion Detection: Content that reacts to movement, using cameras or motion sensors to detect presence or gestures.
Sound Reactive: Visuals that respond to audio input, creating audio-reactive installations.
Time-Based: Content that changes based on time of day, duration, or scheduled events.
Basic Implementation
Manual Control: For simple interactivity, manually trigger changes using Map Club's interface. An operator can adjust shaders, opacity, or content in response to audience interaction.
Pre-Programmed Responses: Create multiple content states and switch between them based on triggers. Use frames or different projects for different interaction states.
External Sensors: Integrate external sensors (cameras, microphones, touch sensors) with custom software that communicates with your projection mapping setup.
Touch-Based Interaction
Touch Screens: Project onto touch screens for direct interaction. Content can respond to touch location and gestures.
Touch-Sensitive Surfaces: Use touch-sensitive materials or overlays to detect touch on projected surfaces.
Camera-Based Touch: Use cameras to detect touch on surfaces, though this requires additional software and calibration.
Motion Detection
Presence Detection: Simple motion detection that triggers content when someone enters a space.
Gesture Recognition: More advanced systems that recognize specific gestures and respond accordingly.
Tracking: Follow movement and adjust projections to track moving objects or people.
Design Considerations
Clear Feedback: Ensure users understand how to interact. Visual or audio feedback confirms interactions are working.
Forgiving Design: Design for imperfect interactions. Not every touch or movement needs to trigger a response.
Multiple Users: Consider how multiple users might interact simultaneously. Design content that works for groups.
Accessibility: Ensure interactive elements are accessible to users with different abilities.
Tools and Integration
Map Club: While Map Club focuses on projection mapping, you can manually control it in response to interactions or integrate it with external systems.
Additional Software: Interactive installations often require additional software for sensor input, processing, and communication with projection mapping software.
Hardware: Sensors, cameras, microphones, and other hardware may be needed depending on your interaction type.
While creating fully automated interactive systems requires additional tools, Map Club provides the projection mapping foundation. You can create interactive experiences by combining Map Club with sensors, cameras, or manual control.