Curved screen in Theatre show – how to deal with Distortion

[Thomas Leong]

Hi,

There are various possible solutions, one of which is the Image AnyPlace video/graphics scaler with geometry correction, specifically their e-warp feature. You could try asking them where you could rent one from.
https://www.flexiblepicturesystems.com/products/imageanyplace.html

Another possibility is AvStumpfl’s Wings Platinum 3 software (the Multidisplay version) which has a screen warp feature on output via the PC’s graphics card.

Dataton’s Watchout software has a similar feature, but with Watchout, you need 2 dongled licences (read; 2 PCs, one Master, one Slave), whereas Wings 3 needs only one (read: Master also as Slave), in order to output to the screen.

Both Watchout and Wings have free downloadable demos, and the Display Warp/Geometric Correction feature should work in the demos. Output to projector is obviously not possible without the dongled licence.

Rental is possible with both systems – look up for the nearest dealer at their websites.

good luck,
Thomas Leong

[Sascha Engel]

Thanx for the answer. It’s kind of what I thought. No, screen is not build yet – they need a slight curve. I just wonder, how to find out, what is the curve angle, that is still tolerable for the eye – when you project on it?

Thanx.

Greetz,

Sascha Engel

[Sascha Engel]

Hi Thomas,

Thanx for all the offers of solutions!!!!!!
The AnyPlace seems great, but this is a theatre production in Jerusalem – not much budget involved!
The two softwares are great too, but windows based – I work with Mac. Is there any software for Mac system which does the same?

Greetz,

Sascha Engel

[Steve Roberts]

Are you sure it can’t be distorted?
Maybe the producer doesn’t care.
Maybe distortion would be cool.
Maybe you’re trying to solve a problem that isn’t really a problem …?

[David Crites]

The correction for the curved screen can be accomplished fairly easily using the bezier warp effect in the distort category of your effects. I used this technique for the 10 360 degree screens at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The best way to do it is to connect a laptop with after effects to a projector and project a grid that matches the aspect ratio of your screen. Line things up at the top and then use the bezier warp effect to make the bottom come into line with the curved screen. If the screen curves towards the audience, which I assume it would in this case, you will end up distorting the video by making it bow up in the bottom center. This will not only work for a single screen, but as mentioned above, I was able to produce a seamless 360 degree panorama with each of the 10 screens fitting the curvature perfectly.

[Roland R. kahlenberg]

I’m with Steve on this – you should check with the designer/producer if they mind the distortion to go along with the curvature.

On a related track, many moons ago, I worked on a project for the national museum here, which required four different videos to be played on four separate walls. Each wall was approx. 5.5m x4m so they weren’t square and the walls had an incline.

My issues were related to the keystone. As the videowall wasn’t 4:3 or 16:9, I had to create the presentation with an alpha (sort of as they were blacked out).

For testing, I brought my notebook along and hooked it up to the projector and had an interactive session with AE and the projector. Importantly, I also created a test pattern that not only helped to check the colors but also the keystone issues. Be prepared to spend at least an hour on a single wall.

Your issues will be compounded if you have to fix the distortion. But within AE, you may get by with either the Optics Compensation or even the bulge plugins to sort out the distortion.

HTH
RoRK

broadcastGEMs – AEPro Volume 02 (Professional Adobe After Effects Project Files – Now Available).

Adobe After Effects Training in South East Asia.

[Sascha Engel]

Hi David,

thanx a lot, I will try that one for sure. Sounds reasonable.

Greetz,

Sascha Engel

[Sascha Engel]

hi Steve,

I know what you are saying – yes, there’s more abstract images, which are functioning a theatre lighting element or atmospheric ingredient-there it’s o.k. But for the Narrative Film part it would be defeinately nicer to have a clean undistorted picture.

I guess, I will try to De-Distort it with the Bulge Filter.

Greeetz,

Sascha Engel

[Sascha Engel]

Hi Roland,

thanx a lot. In a week I will be in the theatre and yes, I will try all the Bulge, Bezier Warp & Distortion Compensation FXs of AE. As I can read from you guys, it should be possible to get rid of the worst part of the Distortion like that.
The moment I did it, and I have some experience with that matter, I will post my report on this here.

Till then Thanx to everybody’s time and advice!!!!!!

Greetz,

Sascha Engel

[Chris Brackenbury]

Hi Sascha
I recently did some software programing for Pixelewix wich fixes curved screen distortions on the fly (No pre warping necessary).
It allows for up-to 3 projectors per pc with edge blend.
here the link https://www.pixelwix.com.
hope this helps.
regards chris