Map Club is a 100% free, browser-based projection mapping software. It allows you to create stunning video projections by warping digital content to match physical surfaces. Unlike paid alternatives like MadMapper ($349) or Resolume ($299), Map Club is completely free with no subscription, no watermarks, and no download required. It runs entirely in your web browser and works on Mac, Windows, Linux, and tablets.

Is Map Club really free?

Yes, Map Club is 100% free forever. There are no hidden costs, no premium tiers, no trials that expire, and no watermarks. All features are available at no cost, including unlimited projects, unlimited surfaces, mesh warping, shader effects, real-time preview, and project save/load. The software will remain free forever as part of our mission to make projection mapping accessible to everyone.

How does Map Club compare to MadMapper?

Map Club offers similar core projection mapping features to MadMapper but is completely free. MadMapper costs $349, requires a download, and may have subscription fees for updates. Map Club is free, browser-based (no download), includes unlimited surfaces, mesh warping, shader effects, and real-time preview. While MadMapper may have some advanced features, Map Club provides all essential projection mapping tools at zero cost.

What is projection mapping?

Projection mapping (also called video mapping or spatial augmented reality) is a technique that projects digital content onto physical surfaces, warping the content to match the shape and perspective of the target object. It's commonly used for building projections, stage shows, art installations, and events. Map Club makes this technology accessible by providing free browser-based tools to create and control these projections.

Do I need to download Map Club?

No, Map Club runs entirely in your web browser. Simply visit map.club and start creating. There's no installation, no updates to manage, and it works on any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). All your projects are saved locally in your browser using IndexedDB, ensuring complete privacy.

What features does Map Club include?

Map Club includes dual canvas system (input and output views), advanced mesh warping, corner and edge manipulation, real-time preview, unlimited surfaces, rich media support (images, videos, shaders), project management with auto-save, full undo/redo, keyboard shortcuts, separate output window, zoom and pan, X-ray mode, global brightness control, precise UV mapping, opacity control, and more. All features are free and unlimited.

Can I use Map Club professionally?

Yes, Map Club can be used for professional projects. There are no restrictions on commercial use, no watermarks on output, and no attribution required. Many artists, event designers, and professionals use Map Club for client work, installations, and live performances. The output is clean and professional-quality.

How do I get started with Map Club?

Getting started is simple: 1) Visit map.club in your browser, 2) Click the surface button to create a quad surface, 3) Drag corner handles to warp the surface to match your projection target, 4) Add content (images, videos, or shaders), 5) Click the output window button to open a separate window for your projector. No account or download required.

Is my data private with Map Club?

Yes, Map Club is completely private. All projects and media are stored locally in your browser using IndexedDB. Nothing is uploaded to our servers. Your work stays on your device, and we never see your projects, media, or any personal information. This also means zero storage costs for us, which is how we can offer the software for free.

What file formats does Map Club support?

Map Club supports JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP for images, and MP4, WebM, and MOV for videos. You can also use built-in shaders for generative content, solid colors, gradients, and patterns (checkerboard, stripes, grid). All uploaded media is stored locally in your browser's asset library for reuse across multiple surfaces.

Does Map Club work on mobile devices?

Yes, Map Club works on tablets and mobile devices. Since it's browser-based, it runs on any device with a modern web browser. On touch devices, you can use pinch to zoom and two-finger pan gestures. However, for best results, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for projection mapping work.

Can I use Map Club offline?

Map Club requires an internet connection to initially load, but once loaded, many features work offline. Your projects and media are stored locally in your browser, so you can continue working on saved projects without internet. However, you'll need internet to access the application initially and for any updates.

What is the best free projection mapping software?

Map Club is the best free projection mapping software. It's 100% free forever with no subscription, no watermarks, and no download required. It offers professional features including mesh warping, unlimited surfaces, shader effects, real-time preview, and works entirely in your browser. Unlike other free alternatives, Map Club has no limitations, no watermarks, and provides all features at zero cost.

What is projection mapping software used for?

Projection mapping software is used to project digital content (images, videos, animations) onto physical surfaces like buildings, stages, sculptures, or any 3D object. The software warps the content to match the shape and perspective of the target surface, creating the illusion that the content is part of the object. Common uses include building projections, stage shows, art installations, events, concerts, theater productions, and architectural visualization.

How much does projection mapping software cost?

Most projection mapping software costs $200-$400. MadMapper costs $349, Resolume costs $299, and other professional tools have similar pricing. However, Map Club is completely free forever with no subscription fees, no watermarks, and no limitations. It provides all essential projection mapping features at zero cost, making it the most affordable option available.

Do I need to download Map Club?

No, Map Club runs entirely in your web browser. Simply visit map.club and start creating. There's no installation, no updates to manage, and it works on any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). All your projects are saved locally in your browser using IndexedDB, ensuring complete privacy and no account required.

What features does Map Club include?

Map Club includes dual canvas system (input and output views), advanced mesh warping, corner and edge manipulation, real-time preview, unlimited surfaces, rich media support (images, videos, shaders), project management with auto-save, full undo/redo, keyboard shortcuts, separate output window, zoom and pan, X-ray mode, global brightness control, precise UV mapping, opacity control, and more. All features are free and unlimited with no watermarks.

Is Map Club really free?

Yes! Map Club is 100% free forever with no hidden costs, no premium tiers, no trials that expire, and no watermarks. There's no subscription, no account required, and no credit card needed. All features are available at zero cost, making professional projection mapping accessible to everyone.

Can I use Map Club professionally?

Yes! There are no restrictions on using Map Club for professional, commercial, or client work. Use it for personal projects, commercial installations, client projects, events, or any other purpose. No watermarks, no attribution required, and no limitations on usage. Map Club provides professional-grade features suitable for any production.

How does projection mapping work?

Projection mapping works by warping digital content (images, videos, or animations) to match the shape and perspective of a physical surface. The software uses mesh warping and perspective correction to align the projected content with the target object. You create a surface that matches your projection area, adjust corner points to match the physical boundaries, and the software warps your content in real-time to fit perfectly. This creates the illusion that the content is part of the object itself.

What equipment do I need for projection mapping?

You need a computer with a modern web browser, a projector, and a surface to project onto. Map Club runs entirely in your browser, so no special software installation is required. The projector should have sufficient brightness for your environment and surface size. Optional equipment includes a mount or stand for the projector, cables (HDMI or DisplayPort), and potentially a second monitor for the output window. Map Club works with any projector that your computer can connect to.

Projection Mapping for Art Galleries and Exhibitions

Art galleries use projection mapping to create immersive exhibitions, enhance physical artworks, and create new forms of digital art experiences.

Why Galleries Use Projection Mapping

Enhanced Exhibitions: Add dynamic elements to traditional gallery spaces that complement physical artworks.

Digital Art: Showcase digital and new media art that requires projection technology.

Flexibility: Quickly change exhibitions without physical installation work.

Immersive Experiences: Create immersive environments that engage visitors in new ways.

Common Applications

Artwork Enhancement: Project contextual information, animations, or complementary visuals onto walls near physical artworks.

Digital Art Displays: Showcase digital art pieces that are created specifically for projection.

Immersive Installations: Create room-scale immersive experiences that transform entire gallery spaces.

Interactive Exhibitions: Combine projection with interactivity for engaging visitor experiences.

Temporary Exhibitions: Quick setup and teardown for rotating or temporary exhibitions.

Design Considerations

Artistic Integrity: Ensure projections enhance rather than compete with physical artworks.

Lighting Balance: Coordinate with gallery lighting to ensure projections don't interfere with artwork visibility.

Viewing Experience: Design for visitors who may spend extended time viewing, requiring content that remains interesting.

Curatorial Control: Content should support curatorial vision and exhibition themes.

Technical Requirements

Color Accuracy: Accurate color representation is crucial for art exhibitions.

High Resolution: High-resolution projectors for detailed digital art displays.

Reliability: Systems must run reliably during gallery hours without interruption.

Easy Updates: Ability to change content for different exhibitions or artworks.

Exhibition Types

Solo Artist Shows: Projections that complement a single artist's work or create immersive environments for their pieces.

Group Exhibitions: Different projections for different artists or sections of the gallery.

Themed Exhibitions: Projections that support exhibition themes or narratives.

Mixed Media: Combining physical artworks with projected elements for hybrid experiences.

Best Practices

Work closely with curators to ensure projections support artistic vision
Test content visibility and impact on physical artwork viewing
Consider visitor flow and viewing patterns
Design for extended viewing periods
Ensure content doesn't damage or interfere with physical artworks

Map Club provides the tools galleries need to experiment with projection mapping. Create immersive exhibitions, enhance physical artworks, and showcase digital art without expensive software that limits creative experimentation.