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Lodestar approached Alixe to create a virtual video mapping for a Nissan exhibition at the O2 Arena in London and later on for a Fiat expo event. The first job was projections on geometric sculptures and the second job was projections over a car.
Video mapping is based on live fed information and measurements so the projection matches the object’s surface, shape and boundaries. For the exhibitions those projections had to be created beforehand and acting as if they were live fed information. It required a big amount of precision, testing and experimentation with the provided measurements while being on a deadline.
In order to imitate real life video mapping for the two exhibitions, Alixe had to build 3D sculptures in After Effects, using the measurements provided for the real sculptures and car and then add camera projections on top. The solution was to recreate the entire exhibition in 3D, add cameras, imagery and everything needed to simulate an actual real life video mapping performance.
Measurements were passed to Alixe and she could build the sculptures and the shape of the car matching real life. The planes of the sculptures were given texture using a particle system, the car in real life was white so it had to be white with texture in After Effects too.
After reproducing the geometry in after effects, Alixe had to record the image with the same distortion that would match with the geometry in real life and the projector used in both occasions. Seeing as video mapping is linked to the measurements and borders of the surface/object it is projected onto, there is a distortion in camera projection. That same output distortion needed recreating by retouching the design and applying a distortion effect to match the measurements to then produce the pre-recorded video used at the actual exhibitions.
3D sculpting, particle system, After Effects, external plugins, 3D cameras, and distortion.
The results were two beautiful projections that perfectly fit the shape and measurements of the geometric sculpture and the car. It looked and felt as if the video mapping was reading live information and the imagery was beautifully crafted. The clients were very happy and pleased with the final results for the exhibitions.
Video mapping, editing and animation: Alixe Lobato
