Like a slide projector, textures can be projected onto 3D models to create an effect where a texture is animated on an object
in 3D space. The advantage of using a Projector node is that you can cast images on arbitrary surfaces. You can create a spotlight
texture and project it onto a 3D model, so that you can see “into” it.
NoteSome Action maps, such as Diffuse and Emissive maps, also allow you to use Projection mapping as a type of texture mapping.
This method of projecting behaves as if it were projected by the selected camera.
To project a texture:
- Click Media to access the Media menu.
- In the Media list, select the media that you want to project.
- Do one of the following:
- Drag the Projector node from the node bin and place it in the schematic.
- Drag the Projector node from the node bin and place it where you want it in Result view.
- Double-click the Projector node. You do not need to be in Schematic view to add a node in this manner.
The Projector node appears in the schematic and a projector icon appears in the scene.
- Double-click the Projector node to display the Projector menu, or follow the tab population rules for the Object menu (see
Populating Menu Tabs of Selected Objects).
The Projector is selected.
- Switch to Camera view to manipulate the projector in the scene using the View box.
The following example illustrates projected media on a 3D model using Spotlight projection blend mode. See Blending Projections.
To add multiple projections:
- Click Media to access the Media menu.
- In the Media list, select the media you want to use as projectors by Ctrl-clicking the media.
- Use the node bin to add a projector.
Multiple Projector nodes appear in the schematic and projector icons appear in the scene.
- Use the Order field in the Projector menu to set the order of projectors.
The front projector is projector1. A new projector is always added to the back. Changing the order number of a projector affects
the order of other projectors.
Projector Menu Settings
- Motion Blur button
-
Enable to use a motion blur effect for the selected projector (can only be used if the global Motion Blur is enabled in the
Setup menu).
- Active button
-
Enable to activate the projected texture effect in the scene. When disabled, the Projector node remains in the schematic and
the projector icon appears smaller in the image area.
- X Position field
-
Positions the projector in 3D space along the X axis.
- Y Position field
-
Positions the projector in 3D space along the Y axis.
- Z Position field
-
Positions the projector in 3D space along the Z axis.
TipYou can also set the texture projector position by dragging the projector in the scene.
- Motion Path button
-
Enable to use motion path animation for the projector.
- X Rotation field
-
Rotates the projector in 3D space along the X axis.
- Y Rotation field
-
Rotates the projector in 3D space along the Y axis.
- Z Rotation field
-
Rotates the projector in 3D space along the Z axis.
- Blend Mode button
-
Select a mode to modify how you want to blend the projected image in the scene.
See Blending Projections.
- Transparency field
-
Displays the transparency level of the projected texture effect. Editable.
- Field Of View field
-
Displays the projector's field of view value. Editable.
- Aspect Ratio field
-
Displays the ratio of height to width for the projected image. Editable.
- Order field
-
Displays the order of projectors. Editable.
- Red Colour field
-
Defines the red value of the selected projector. Editable.
- Green Colour field
-
Defines the green value of the selected projector. Editable.
- Blue Colour field
-
Defines the blue value of the selected projector. Editable.
- Projector colour pot
-
Displays the colour of the projector. Editable.
