3D Modular Panels for Projection Mapping

Projection

3D Modular Panels for Projection Mapping

presented by Backdrops Fantastic Australia.

3D modular backdrop scenic panels created by Gold Coast based event décor company Backdrops Fantastic Australia transform gala, conference and award stages into vibrant backdrops ideal for unique lighting and creative projection mapping. The panels come in eight versatile designs made of light weight ABS, and click together with the use of quick release levers requiring no tools.

Orb build

The interlocking 3D panels allow the wall to be adapted to any venue, with rated quick release levers and custom designed cross bars that accommodate a multitude of rigging solutions from truss, to drape track, to common AV pipe and base pushups.

The Stealth Wall has become the ideal canvas for lighting and projection mapping for corporate events. Stunning 3D visual animations as seen on outdoor projection mapping projects and festivals such
as Sydney’s VIVID can be achieved at corporate conference or gala awards.

The matte white finish of each ABS plastic panel is perfect for reflecting and absorbing lighting or projection, and have been meticulously measured and 3D scanned so that each panel is digitally replicated.

3D projection mapping in the corporate market for a conference, awards dinner, or theme dinner is only slightly more complicated to implement than the commonly used wide format projection screen and large format projection blends. Often the standard equipment used industry-wide like a disguise or Watchout media server and two or three 20k projectors are all that is needed to cover a 30 metre wide by eight metre tall modular wall projection.

A wireframe of the wall mapping space is provided by Backdrops Fantastic Australia, making the finishing touches of alignment straightforward, and ensuring custom created animations play back perfectly. Backdrops Fantastic Australia not only provides the digital files for clients to produce their own 3D animation, but has internal and external resources to produce custom content or re-use off-the-shelf animated content that truly makes the wall come to life.

When the projection line-up is complete the true magic of projection mapping is ready to unfold. The possibilities of utilising the walls in a dynamic 3D augmented reality manner are only limited by the imagination.

The team have projected 1050 delegate faces onto each panel of a 56 metre wide by 8.4 metre tall modular wall for an opening conference video. Futuristic robot hands have dismantled the wall to reveal a keyed background animation before rebuilding the wall for a space event. In February the Backdrops Team travelled to the US to accept the prestigious Best New Product/Technology at the Special Event Gala Awards held in New Orleans.

The win was for the fully immersive undersea themed event that Backdrops Fantastic Australia produced for Clubs NSW held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in 2016. Backdrops Fantastic Australia director Thomas Brown says, “Winning the 2018 International Special Event Gala Award for Best New Product/Technology is such a gratifying feeling. The research and development to produce our modular product line and then adapt the technologies of projection mapping onto them in a corporate event space was an extremely challenging but unbelievably rewarding process.

“It was a process that would not have been possible without an extremely trusting long-time client who in 2015 allowed us the full creative license to explore and experiment with something she never fully comprehended until she saw it live at the final rehearsals. The Gold Coast Convention Centre also played a major part in the successful win by actively joining us in a real desire to see this concept come to life by lowering existing access and pricing barriers to make it a truly inclusive creative process.

“Beyond the large corporate client and the convention centre, smaller passionate players invested their time and talents considerably, companies like Ikonix, Pixe Line, and Forum. We are honoured to have been the recipient of this prestigious international award but want it known that it was only achieved by partnering with the amazing flexibility of the venue, commitment of our client and creative talents of our external technical partners to innovate and strive for something different than the same old ho-hum our Australian Industry struggles with every day!”

The win in the US comes shortly after their modular panel product line was launched in Denver Colorado under the name Modular Backdrops USA.

Backdrops Fantastic Australia group is a theming event hire company based on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. They are leading suppliers of Australia’s finest quality themed backdrops and decorative drapery. Their innovative selection of 3D Modular Backdrops designed and engineered on the Gold Coast have been nominated for a number of awards in Australia and internationally.

Visit the website for more information: www.modularbackdrops.com.au

This article first appeared in the October 2018 edition of CX Magazine – in print and online. CX Magazine is Australia and New Zealand’s only publication dedicated to entertainment technology news and issues. Read all editions for free or search our archive www.cxnetwork.com.au

© CX Media

Read these projection stories in the October 2018 edition:

Creative Projection Mapping with TDC’s Pete Lynn
Antartica – While You Were Sleeping
Choosing the Best Projector
Technology Engages Students in Learning
From Projector to Plate – Encore Serve up a Sensory Feast
3D Modular Panels for Projection Mapping
Borderless Projection in the Age of LED
Video Projection History – The Talaria
Simon Byrne: Let There Be Projected Light
Duncan Fry: Snow Job – The Projector from the Smithsonian

Plus Simon Byrne’s advisory piece on Projection from same issue