How to project letters (of a logo) only onto curtains ?

[JezUK]

Hi,

I'm trying to project *only* the letters of a red logo onto curtains but cannot find a way to do this.

I want to have a ceiling mounted projector, but when I put in a bitmap (either a tga or png both with alpha) of the logo as the texture map, the VRayLight has the 'shape' of the logo (i.e. instead of a rectangle you see the 'back' of the logo letters) and then it simply shines like a normal light (no projection of letters) ???

I've tried using a normal 3DS Max spotlight but that doesn't seem to support transparency (so I get the whole bitmap)......

After this is solved I wish to make it also shine a 'beam' of red light across the room from the projector to the curtains.

Please can someone help - I'm running out of time and need to get this done asap.

Thank you

[mario74]

you need something like this?

cause of DOF, its unsharp in the back - but i have the bitmap right there on the surface and the "fog" or shine of light i done with photoshop.

i think, to render this in correct way like you want to do, will not work. at least not in a normal resolution...

regards

[tricky]

I'm running out of time and need to get this done asap.

Photoshop is your friend (unless, of course, this is an animation!

[JezUK]

LOL Tricky you're right Photoshop is my friend.

But I'd really like to know as well how to do it in 3DS Max.

Maybe silly but what about I put a plane in front of a light with the letters cut out and then use Environment fog ??

That'd work, no ?

No, it's a still image.

[JezUK]

Put the logo on a black background before using it as a projected image

[tricky]

Never really tried to do this for a looong time. I guess set up a really simple scene and give it a try. If I get a chance, I will have a play myself.

[stef.thomas]

If you're using a vray plane light you could try adjusting the direction parameter to almost 1. That will focus the illumination more directly. Alternatively use a spot light set to rectangular and plug the bitmap into the projector map slot. You can then soften the edges using the shadow parameters.

[Alan Iglesias]

If this interests you, I'd be happy to upload the simple file...

-Alan

[mario74]

that would be nice to know!

regards, Mario

[Alan Iglesias]

Here you go...

-Alan

VrayProjectorRedLogoTest.zip

[JezUK]

Thanks Alan,

BTW, you are one mean guitarist

(and thanks also to the playing of SRV, I've never seen him before and was blown away).

Kind regards,

Jez

(PS used to see your name many, many times on the ole' 3DS Compuserve forums, along with Martin Foster..... where is he now ?).

[joconnell]

Martin became more of a renderman user towards the end of the discreet web board so I don't think he was using max all that much - was he in sony or some other pretty big house in LA?

[Alan Iglesias]

Thanks Alan...

Most welcome, Jez....hope it helped...

BTW, you are one mean guitarist

Oh-oh, my "cover" here is now blown! Did you see me play live somewhere?

(and thanks also to the playing of SRV, I've never seen him before and was blown away)

Very nice of you to say, and it is much appreciated! I've been playing guitar professionally since 1968, and doing the SRV show (for 12 years now) is the most fun I've ever had on a stage.

(PS used to see your name many, many times on the ole' 3DS Compuserve forums, along with Martin Foster..... where is he now ?).

Yes, Martin and I were very active on the 3D Studio Compuserve forum dating back to nearly its inception in 1989. We ended up doing a lot of work together including rolling out 3DS Max R1 for Gary Yost and Adesk at Siggraph New Orleans in 1996.

Where Martin is now is a good question. After family issues changed his life, he got out of 3D and last I heard was going to China to live as an ex-pat, perhaps doing 3D agian. Sadly, I have not heard from him in a few years now. We sure had a lot of fun together over the years.

Martin became more of a renderman user towards the end of the discreet web board so I don't think he was using max all that much - was he in sony or some other pretty big house in LA?

John, yes, Martin was involved in motion picture VFX for some time, with Rhythm & Hues if I am not mistaken (it's been a while!).

John, let me take this opportunity to tell you how great it is that this forum has someone like you, who gives so much of himself and helps so many folks here. Your detailed and lengthy explanations regarding the subtle details of rendering with Vray are really something special and I appreciate them very much. I know many, many others do here do as well...

Thanks again,

-Alan

[wxyz]

did you jam with Gary?

Most welcome, Jez....hope it helped...



Oh-oh, my "cover" here is now blown! Did you see me play live somewhere?



Very nice of you to say, and it is much appreciated! I've been playing guitar professionally since 1968, and doing the SRV show (for 12 years now) is the most fun I've ever had on a stage.



Yes, Martin and I were very active on the 3D Studio Compuserve forum dating back to nearly its inception in 1989. We ended up doing a lot of work together including rolling out 3DS Max R1 for Gary Yost and Adesk at Siggraph New Orleans in 1996.

Where Martin is now is a good question. After family issues changed his life, he got out of 3D and last I heard was going to China to live as an ex-pat, perhaps doing 3D agian. Sadly, I have not heard from him in a few years now. We sure had a lot of fun together over the years.



John, yes, Martin was involved in motion picture VFX for some time, with Rhythm & Hues if I am not mistaken (it's been a while!).

John, let me take this opportunity to tell you how great it is that this forum has someone like you, who gives so much of himself and helps so many folks here. Your detailed and lengthy explanations regarding the subtle details of rendering with Vray are really something special and I appreciate them very much. I know many, many others do here do as well...

Thanks again,

-Alan

[Alan Iglesias]

did you jam with Gary?

If you mean Gary Yost....hmmm...

I don't remember that we ever actually played together at the same time. I have played acoustic guitar in his house before when he was showing me some of his guitars and he has come to some of my shows in the past when I played up his way. Last time I saw him he was playing in a band himself...

-Alan