[newbies13]

Hello!

I went to the fabric store recently and bought some chiffon to rear project a ghost "hologram" in a window, and did some testing last night. The overall effect on the fabric was decent, but I noticed the glass of the window creates a double image that really spoils the effect from some viewing angles.

This is my first time really messing with projections of any kind, so I was wondering if there are any tips to mitigate the issue? I found that back lighting the room helped some, but not quite enough. I was thinking that perhaps I could bounce the image off a mirror and some sort of magical science would help? Ha. Or maybe changing the angle of the projector?

Anyway, any pro tips would be much appreciated.

 

[Frankie's Girl]

I think chiffon is too thin/transparent for it to work without throwing a double image on the glass (the light is passing completely through it).

I've always seen folks on here discussing using dollar store white shower curtains for window projections. Pull it tight so there aren't any wrinkles and it should work just fine.

 

[Pumpkinprincess]

I have always used Walmart shower liners in the past, but last year they never seemed to be in stock so I tried a dollar store plastic white tablecloth. Worked great!

 

[newbies13]

I guess I should clarify, or maybe I am simply going about this the wrong way. I am looking to recreate an effect similar to this, but in a window.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMqlzXo1k8

Using a material like a shower curtain would result in no visibility through the room, right?

 

[victor-eyd]

Using a shower curtain only creates a big noticeable white screen to project upon. I think this is what you'tr going for:

The best way to achieve that is to simply remove the glass panel and the use the scrim only. Having the widow pane acts as a 2nd surface for the projection to fall upon, which is why you're getting the double image.

Victor

 

[newbies13]

That looks pretty good, yes indeed. I am not sure I can remove the glass. Though I figured that would be the only real option since the scrim by design allows light through.

 

[JCO]

I didn't remove the glass in that photo posted above. The chiffon was pretty close to the glass, maybe 1 or 2 inches at most. I was also projecting at an angle, I had the projector on the floor so as to hide the hot spot. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe the chiffon was too sheer?

 

[badciv]

I always use a plain white sheet and don't think mine turn out too bad. Just make sure you get it right next to the glass.
I don't have any pictures of a Halloween projection(guess I'm too busy running around like a crazy person in October), but here's Santa in the house eating some cookies.

I've done ghost, slimmer, bugs, fire... Last year I used one of my projectors to project down onto the street to make big spiders crawl out of the cracks.

 

[taonola]

I use painters protection plastic. Can get a roll for super cheap and cut to fit.

 

[newbies13]

Interesting, I think the distance from the glass may be part of the issue. I've got old style windows that are inlaid probably 5-6 inches from the wall, and I am hanging my material from the wall. I will test getting it closer to see if that helps, I would imagine it can't hurt as it would limit the distance between the duplicate images if nothing else.

Also, projecting down onto the street to make bugs run all over is an AMAZING idea.

 

[SpookyMuFu]

I used a cheap curtain liner about 3" from the window here and it looked crazy real in person, very 3D ish

 

[Donny Lizenbee]

Search for Carl's place.com, they have some rear projection film that you can order to custom sizes, and work great, they also sell these screens on Amazon

 

[Reload]

Rear projection material in Window

Still new to this forum but have loved all of the new to me ideas I have been reading. I'm biten.

I believe I have read every "projection" thread on the internet and the material people use for the rear projection in a window varies greatly. Some say a white bed sheet, a shower curtain, wax paper, spandex, mosquito netting, etc, etc. I know opinions vary but short of buying professional projection material which of the do it yourself material projects the best in your opinion? I see a lot of examples of people who use one or the other and say "its good enough" but that's a bit vague.

Hoping we can centralize a discussion here on materials used and examples to best sort out how well each material actually works and its pro's and con's.

 

[tomanderson]

I would start with whatever is in budget--or maybe with whatever is on hand. A white bedsheet, for instance. And set it up, do it and test it, see if the result makes you happy!

 

[Reload]

Thanks for the reply Tom. Isn't budget always subjective? All of the "do it yourself" materials are within budget but the question is does a $3 shower curtain liner do the job as well as say $15-$20 of spandex? I can easily steal a bedsheet from the guests room (when the wife is not looking) but is it better than a roll of wax paper? Understand I could go round them all up and test each but was hoping to gain the knowledge of those that have already been there done that. Do you use projection?

 

[SpookyMuFu]

here is mine, I used a translucent shower liner I got from Target for about $5 and it looked great from outside

 

[OlderNDirt]

I purchased the kit with everything needed including the material for one window. But since I wanted to project onto 3 windows in a row, I took that material to Wally and picked up some cheap fabric that was pretty much identical that would cover all 3. We sure can't tell any difference in picture quality. But that was last year and I don't remember exactly what fabric it was. Then again, I don't remember what I had for breakfast either.

 

[victor-eyd]

Unfortunately, there is no right way-wrong way regarding projection material. we all have different projectors, with different resolutions, with different placements, and different scenarios for our projection. There is no best way case. Its merely seeing what others have tried, and see if what you're doing will apply to it as well. If not consider another material recommended or tried and see if that works.

That's the beauty of these projection materials- they're cheap, easily accessible, and they all work to some extent or another.

Best recommendation- find a projector within your budget, and then from there try to get the best combination of resolution and brightness possible. After that, start experimenting.

Victor

 

[JCO]

Terror Eyes (right side of photo) using a cheap shower curtain liner:

Hologram using grey chiffon:

 

[Reload]

Using a shower curtain only creates a big noticeable white screen to project upon. I think this is what you'tr going for:

The best way to achieve that is to simply remove the glass panel and the use the scrim only. Having the widow pane acts as a 2nd surface for the projection to fall upon, which is why you're getting the double image.

Victor

Looks great Victor..... what projector are you using? What Lumens?