Map and Scan (On Camera)

In this step, all projectors are scanned and mapped to the projection screen surface. This process involves three sub-steps: - The screen is mapped in the camera view. - The camera view is prepared for projector scanning by masking the area outside the projection screen surface. - Each projector is scanned in each camera view.

For each view (View1, View2 and View3) repeat the flowing steps:

Map the screen grid

The first step is to accurately map the screen surface in the camera view. Using the view definition from Views, the screen grid is mapped using six or more screen edge markers. Once six or more reference markers are defined, the software automatically calculates and maps the rest of the screen grid in the camera view.

1. Select View1.
2. Select Screen.
3. Ensure Automap and Continuous calculation mode is enabled.
4. Click in the camera view and press the Z key to enable the zoom picture-in-picture for more accurate marker positioning.
5. Select and drag six or more grid points to the corresponding markers on the screen surface.
   • For each grid point, press the SPACE key to indicate that it is a reference point used in the auto-map calculations.
   • Move the grid points as accurately as possible to the screen markers in the camera view.
     • Use Right-mouse drag for more accurate movement.
     • Use Control + Arrows keys to move the selected grid point
     • Use Shift + Arrows keys to more accurately move the selected grid point.
   • When six or more points are mapped to their corresponding screen markers, the screen grid is automatically mapped.

Repeat these steps for View2 and View3.

Mask the scanning area

Before scanning the projectors visible in this view, it is essential to exclude parts of the camera image from scanning. This ensures that only the camera image from the projection screen will be used to detect and map the projectors on the screen.

1. Select View1.
2. Select Mask.
3. Ensure Projector scan is selected.
4. Select Screen grid.
5. Verify that only the screen area is visible and the image outside the screen area is masked.

Repeat these steps to mask View2 and View3 as well.

Scan the projectors

During this step, each projector will project a special pattern that will be captured in the camera view image. Based on a number of projected patterns, the software will accurately calculate how the projector image is mapped to the projection screen.

Check the projectors and camera

Before scanning the projectors in the camera view, it is essential to ensure the camera can properly detect the projected pattern on the screen. This involves adjusting the camera parameters (e.g., exposure) and the projected circle pattern size to maximize the detection of projected circles in the camera view.

1. Select Projector1.
2. Ensure Camera scanning is selected.
3. Prepare the camera:
   • Disable all Auto image settings (white balance, auto-focus, etc.).
   • Manually set the Exposure value to ensure maximum contrast between the dark background and the projected white circles.
4. Press the Recognize circles button to start the fast pre-scanning.
5. After the fast pre-scanning is complete, the recognized circles will be indicated by green edges.

Repeat these steps for each projector in the View.

Scan the projectors in camera view

Once the previous step is completed, scan all projectors in the view.

1. Select View1.
2. Select Screen.
3. Click the Re-scan view button

This will start the scanning of each projector defined in the view. After the scanning is completed, the software will map the projectors in this view. The successfully scanned circles are marked as white, and the unsuccessfully scanned circles are marked as red.

Repeat these steps for View2 and View3.

Calculate the auto-alignment and edge-blending

After all the views and mapped and all projectors are scanned in all views, click the Calculate button. This will start the calculation of the geometrical projection and edge-blending.

Once the calculation is finished the software will show a test image on the projection screen. The calculated geometrical projection and edge-blending is applied and the test image is perfectly aligned on the projection screen.