With the ever new and advancing technology that is being made available to the general public, we are able to see the world around us in new and exciting ways. It’s no longer necessary to physically change the space around us, but we can now simulate what could be using a variety of software.

One way that consumers can experience this is through the use of an application called “Augment”. It allows users to simulate 3D models shown in their environment. Users can download the app for free and use a wide range of models available for download, or they can create their own. While this can be used for a bit of fun, there are many practical applications that people are already taking advantage of. As shown in the video above, companies can use Augment to show their customers what their product looks like before they’ve even really seen it. They can also show retailers what their product’s display would look like in their store, or just the product itself. This technology opens up a wide range of possibilities for both retailers and consumers that make it easier to be more informed about a product before making a purchase.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yg6ljnASxw

Another example, demonstrated by Microsoft earlier this year at E3, shows the capabilities of their “Hololens”. They are able to simulate a world created in the popular sandbox game Minecraft, on top of a table. The model rotates based on where the user is viewing from so there is no need for a controller. It can also work as a great hands-free alternative to programs such as Augment. You could, for example be looking around a house, deciding on furnishings. The potential buyer could be looking around the house while the seller adds things into their vision, such as alternate chairs, lighting, etc.

There are currently a few effective uses for this technology, but we are still early in its life cycle. This technology is still finding it’s feet and as such we are still finding effective ways to use it. I am sure augmented reality will be a lot more common in the future, but for now we are still finding out what we can do with it.

Projection mapping is when a surface is used as a canvas or display surface for a projection. It can be done on many different scales and for a variety of different reasons.

A common purpose for projection mapping is purely for artistic purposes. In the video above, many children from across the UK were invited to Buckingham Palace where the queens jubilee celebration was taking place. They asked each child to draw a self portrait so that it could be projected on to bucking palace. Some of the images were combined to make one large image of Queen Elizabeth herself, and others were shown on their own.

Another example is during Sydney’s “Vivid Sydney” Celebration. Many locations around the capital of Australia we light up via lasers and large scale projections. The video above shows how to Sydney Opera House looked at night.

Buildings and other structures lit up like this is sure to grab the attention of passersby, so some companies are using projection mapping as a form or advertising.

Lexus Projection Mapping Advertising

The above link talks about an advertising campaign done by Lexus in 2011. Something I really like about this projection is how the video interacted with the environment. There was a part where it looked as if the building was filling with water, and when it was drained they showed water pouring out all the windows and flowing down the fire escape.

This is how I prefer to see projection mapping done and how I would prefer to use it. While the Buckingham Palace video did look good, I think thy could’ve interacted with their environment more. They treated the building as if it was one large flat canvas when they had a lot more to play with on the side of the building. Using your display surface in a way that incorporates the way the building is designed itself adds another level to the art which I really enjoy.

Lastly, projection mapping does not have to be used solely for artistic purposes; it has practical applications as well.

 

The bar in Lincoln, Walkabout, project a rugby match that was happening live on to the wall of the building opposite. This was so that it would be easy for someone to see what was happening rather than having to find a good location with a TV in sigh. It would also be good for smokers who would step outside for a while and instead of having to miss the match, they could still see what was happening.