Video mapping on building facades, or mapping of projection, They are one of those modern wonders that make you stand open-mouthed in the middle of the street.It's hard not to be surprised when a historic building "collapses" and is rebuilt before your eyes, or when a seemingly static facade comes alive with light, color, and movement.
In this article, we will talk about how these incredible projections are made, what tools are needed to create them, and show you some mind-blowing examples that have illuminated cities.
What is the mapping projection?
Imagine a projector that, instead of projecting a movie onto a white wall, transforms an entire building into an immersive visual experience. That's projection mapping: a technique that uses high-power projectors and digital content specifically designed to adapt to the shape of a three-dimensional surface., like a facade. It's not just about using pretty pictures; mapping It turns buildings into the protagonists of a story. It may seem as if a building is decaying brick by brick, as if plants are sprouting from its windows, or as if a waterfall is emerging from its interior. Everything is possible thanks to this combination of technology, creativity and architecture..
How video projections are made
Creating a powerful video projection isn't just a matter of pressing a button. It's a complex process that blends art, design, and technology. These are the basic steps:
Scanning and modeling of the building
The first step is to understand the building's façade in detail: its size, its textures, its reliefs. To do this, we use tools such as photogrammetry or laser scanning that generate a 3D model of the surfaceThis model will be the basis for designing all visual content.
Designing the visual content of the video mapping
This is where the creative magic begins. With the 3D model of the building, designers begin to shape the animations. In this phase, we use tools such as:
- Adobe Photoshop, to create graphics and textures.
- Adobe After Effects, for animations and special effects such as particles, lights and transitions.
- Cinema 4D, for more complex 3D animations, such as making a building appear to float or collapse.
The content must be perfectly synchronized with the shapes of the buildingIf there are windows or columns, they are used to create visual effects that appear to interact with them.
Mapping and settings
With the content ready, specialized software is used such as MadMapper or Resolume Arena to map the animations onto the buildingThis ensures that the projected images align perfectly with the architecture.
Video mapping hardware configuration
A show like this needs powerful projectors. We're talking about projectors with more than 20.000 lumens, capable of projecting clear and bright images even in cities full of light pollution.If the building is large, several synchronized projectors can be used.
Final tests and adjustments
Before the big night, tests are done on site. It's time to adjust colors, correct alignments and make sure everything works perfectly.This is where the details are polished to make the show unforgettable.
Key tools of video mapping
If you're wondering what tools make this possible, here are some of the most important ones:
- Adobe Photoshop: to design visual elements and textures.
- Adobe After Effects: to animate and add effects like particles and transitions.
- 4D Cinema: for 3D modeling and animations.
- MadMapper and Resolume Arena: to adjust and map projections onto the surface.
Examples
Madrid: Cibeles Palace
At Christmas, Madrid's Cibeles Palace is transformed into a spectacular backdrop. One of the most memorable shows featured animations that told the story of the capital, from its roots to its modernity, with effects that made it seem as if the building was being rebuilt before your eyes.
New York: Empire State Building
In 2015, the Empire State Building became a rallying cry for environmental action. Images of endangered species, like Cecil the Lion, were projected onto the entire facade as a canvas. It was a perfect combination of art and activism that captured the world's attention.
Where is it going? mapping?
The exciting thing about mapping It just keeps evolving. Now we see projects that integrate augmented reality or that are interactive, where the audience can influence what is projected.
The best of all is that, Thanks to the tools becoming more accessible, more artists are entering this world.Today, a small studio with the right tools can create a show as impressive as that of a large production company.
In short
Video projections on facades are much more than a visual spectacle. They are a way of turning cities into living stages, of telling stories and of connecting people with architecture in a completely new way..
Mapping shows us that creativity and technology have no limits. Who knows what we'll see in the future? One thing is certain: Buildings will continue to be much more than brick and mortar structures. They will become canvases for the imagination..
If you are interested in these topics and want to get closer to the world of digital creation, you can find out about the academic offer of TAI in the area of Digital Art.
