Camera → Mapshroom → projector

Projection map everything,
you just need a photo.

The app does the rest — from depth to projection.

About 10 minutes

Your subject becomes the canvas.

01A subjectSculpture or object
02A cameraYour phone is enough
03A projectorHDMI connection
04A USB keyFor final playback
01

Step 01

Photograph the sculpture

Stand directly in front of the object and keep the phone level. Frame the complete shape with space around every edge.

02

Step 02

Load the photo into Mapshroom

Open the workspace, choose Load asset in the top bar, then pick your photo. It appears in the media library and on the stage.

Click here
LOAD ASSET→

Select the sculpture photo.

03

Step 03

Remove the background and create depth

In the media library, select the photo. First remove the background; then generate a depth map so shaders react to the object’s shape.

Mask Editor — remove the background
Original

Your photo

Click 1

Remove background

Click 2

Depth map

REMOVE BACKGROUNDthenDEPTH MAP
04

Step 04

Connect the projector

Connect the computer to the projector with HDMI. Press Output and move the new browser window onto the projector display.

Click here
  1. Connect HDMI
  2. Click Output
  3. Move the window to the projector
  4. Enter full screen
05

Step 05

Fit the projection to the object

In the top bar, click Move (right after File) to turn move mode on. Use Up, Down, Left, and Right to position the image; use W and H to resize it until the edges match. Click Move Off when you are done.

FileMoveShader
Click here
Top bar — after File
FILE→MOVE→

Turn move mode on, then align the projection.

MOVE / SIZE

Tap for small adjustments. Keep the object and projector still.
06

Step 06

Choose a shader

Open Shader, then Preset list. Preview the styles and select one that reads clearly on the object.

Click here
SHADER→PRESET LIST→

Choose a preset.

07

Step 07

Customize the shader

Use the sliders on the left to change speed, intensity, scale, relief, and color. Every change appears live.

Click here
08

Step 08

Customize the timeline

Add shader clips along the bottom timeline. Drag clips to reorder them, set the duration, and choose transitions.

Drag to reorderSet durationChoose transition
09

Step 09

Export to USB and project

Export the finished timeline as a video. Copy it to a USB key, connect the key to the projector, and play it full screen on repeat.

1Export videoTimeline toolbar
2Copy to USBEject safely
3Plug into projectorSelect USB / Media
4Play on loopFull screen

Equipment, projector alignment, and troubleshooting

What to prepare

You need a computer with a WebGL-capable browser, a projector connected as a second display, a phone or camera, and a stationary subject. Start in a dim room with a light, matte surface: edges and visual effects are easier to evaluate. On Windows, you can also try the Mapshroom Windows app from the Microsoft Store.

Align your photo with the projector

  1. Position the projector and subject before taking the photo. Keep both fixed while aligning.
  2. Take the reference photo as close as possible to the projector’s viewpoint, including every edge of the subject.
  3. Load the photo, prepare the background and depth map, and choose a simple, visible effect to check the silhouette.
  4. Send Output to the projector display. In Move, adjust position and scale until the projected edges match the physical subject.
  5. Check several points, including the top and bottom. If only the center matches, revisit the photo viewpoint and projector angle before making more adjustments.

Examples: sculptures and irregular objects

On a bust or sculpture, start with slow contours to check the nose, shoulders, and outline. For a plant, choose still, separated leaves: areas hidden behind other leaves or outside the projector’s view will not receive a clear projection. Depth describes the relief visible in the photo; it does not reconstruct the back of an object.

When the projection does not line up

  • Offset edges: check that neither the object nor projector moved, then check position and scale in Move.
  • Missing or shadowed areas: look for cropped reference images, overly tight masks, or surfaces blocked from the projector beam.
  • Faint image: reduce ambient light, check focus, and try an effect with stronger contrast.
  • Slow animation: try a simpler shader and close other applications using the GPU.
  • Output on the wrong screen: check the second display in your operating system and select the projector for output.

To create an effect for your subject, continue with the GLSL shader guide.

The mission behind the tool

Less setup. More time making.

Mapshroom is free and open source because projection mapping should spend less of your time on configuration—and more of it on artistic production.

Read why Mapshroom is free →
Mapshroom

Everything is ready.

Text-to-shader, locally.

Run open models inside Mapshroom — or connect your favorite LLM.

Open Mapshroom →