Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

What projectors work, how to modify them and how to make them work
Post Reply
brent
Printmaster!
Posts: 247
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:24 pm
Location: Mass.

Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by brent »

This is a simple calibration method I devised for the DropLit's projector. It is an active calibration, meaning you have to match objects/shapes/text up for an accurate calibration.


Both of the calibration images are 3"x3"x3", fitting the vats of the DropLits. The images are identical except for the black/blue colorings.


[img]https://i.imgur.com/BgjRdN1.png[/img]
*Print out the image above. You can print it to paper or cardstock, just make sure you are printing to the accurate dimensions of the picture (3"^3).

[img]https://i.imgur.com/QXPaaAQ.png[/img]
*Save the image above to your computer

*Take the printed image and put it underneath your vat's surface. You will want to ensure the picture is square with the frame of the droplit.

*Turn on your projector and project the second image (blue) onto the 'vat'

[img]http://i.gyazo.com/36dbad330969991e2efec5b093004de5.gif[/img]
*You will want to match the black squares/text/markings on your 'calibration card' with the blue squares/text/markings being projected. The GIF above depicts an accurate, active calibration.

Once you are matched up, you are finished calibrating.

Circle versions are below. The circle is 3" round. Same method applies as the images are identical for color-matching

Projector Image:
[img]https://i.imgur.com/dRKiuPt.png[/img]

Paper Image:
[img]https://i.imgur.com/OZpO1gP.png[/img]
geneb
ULTIMATE 3D JEDI
Posts: 5362
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:47 pm
Location: Graham, WA
Contact:

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by geneb »

The vat is round. :)

g.
Delta Power!
Defeat the Cartesian Agenda!
http://www.f15sim.com - 80-0007, The only one of its kind.
http://geneb.simpits.org - Technical and Simulator Projects
brent
Printmaster!
Posts: 247
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:24 pm
Location: Mass.

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by brent »

geneb wrote:The vat is round. :)

g.
This goes underneath the Vat. I see your concern and I'll edit the PSD to a round shape for people who want to put it inside the vat, or have the shapes match up.
User avatar
DavidF
Printmaster!
Posts: 779
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:12 pm
Location: Delaware

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by DavidF »

I still say sick one of those sharks with frikin lasers on thier heads to one of the vats and use that for calibration. It would be the coolest acessory there is!
http://www.youtube.com/user/aonemarine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Lost pla castings? see me
brent
Printmaster!
Posts: 247
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:24 pm
Location: Mass.

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by brent »

Circle versions are below. The circle is 3" round. Same method applies as the images are identical for color-matching

Projector Image:
[img]https://i.imgur.com/dRKiuPt.png[/img]

Paper Image:
[img]https://i.imgur.com/OZpO1gP.png[/img]
User avatar
JohnStack
Printmaster!
Posts: 852
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:07 pm
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Contact:

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by JohnStack »

When you say calibration, do you mean Focus?
Technologist, Maker, Willing to question conventional logic
http://dropc.am/p/KhiI1a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Polygonhell
ULTIMATE 3D JEDI
Posts: 2430
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:44 pm
Location: Redmond WA

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by Polygonhell »

JohnStack wrote:When you say calibration, do you mean Focus?
In addition to focus you need some way to position/adjust the projector, so that the image is aligned correctly (no keystoning) and you know how the resolution corresponds to the size of the object (pixels per inch).
User avatar
rgthane
Plasticator
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:18 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by rgthane »

Brent,

I just created a pdf set of test 9 patterns that are 3" x 3".
I don't have a projector yet, but I felt these might be useful for both setting the Zoom while open and setting the focus on the printer.

As long as the PDF's aren't rescaled (ie "fit the page"), any of them should work.

Hope this helps the group.

Robin
Attachments
DropLit Focus Test Patterns 1-9.pdf
(810.3 KiB) Downloaded 303 times
brent
Printmaster!
Posts: 247
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:24 pm
Location: Mass.

Re: Brent's DropLit Projector Calibration

Post by brent »

rgthane wrote:Brent,

I just created a pdf set of test 9 patterns that are 3" x 3".
I don't have a projector yet, but I felt these might be useful for both setting the Zoom while open and setting the focus on the printer.

As long as the PDF's aren't rescaled (ie "fit the page"), any of them should work.

Hope this helps the group.

Robin
Looks good to me!
Post Reply

Return to “Projectors and How To Mod them”