Problems projecting onto a vinyl structure...

digital-flaneur · Post by **digital-flaneur** » Sun May 16, 2010 12:08 pm

Hello beautiful people,

I'm part of a group of a newbie theme camp that needs some veteran wisdom. I searched and searched for like topics, didn't find any, hoping this isn't too repetitive.

We're making a pyramid out of pvc-- the construction of that is all set, but we want to project onto the sides of it, and we need an appropriate tarplike substance. Right now we are going to glue together white vinyl shower curtains, and we've done tests on that but we are concerned that it will be durable enough. Obviously the awesome vinyl billboard idea is not something we can utilize because we need transparency.

So my questions are:
1) Will this work? If not,
2) Does anyone have a better idea than vinyl shower curtains, or a method for making them more durable?
3) Does anyone know where we can get either white transparent vinyl or a better substance in bulk?

Thanks a lot. I hope enjoyment of our art will pay back any help you have to offer!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun May 16, 2010 3:29 pm

Use light colored shade mesh. It's available in white, beige, all kinds of colors. Search the web on "greenhouse shade cloth", or ask at a local tarp & awning shop.

Plumeria · Post by **Plumeria** » Sun May 16, 2010 3:38 pm

No idea if this will work, but, what about that visquine stuff. The kind that construction or window people put on windows? Its clear yet seethroughish. And, a little more thick/durable than shower curtains. Like I said, no reall idea if it will work,but, that popped into my head.

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Mon May 17, 2010 4:59 pm

We've used plain ol' white cloth/bedsheets for this.

You of course lose some luminosity and such doing it from behind, but they are very easy to use and generally out there work fine.

Makes it really easy to bring spares for when they rip. Which they will.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:34 pm

You do not provide enough info on what you are projecting and what the expected effect might be. That will help with material selection.

Also, the height of the light source wrt the audience makes a world off difference in rear projection.

The shower curtains will be epic fail. Don't even bother. They will shred in hours.

More data please.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Tue May 18, 2010 9:09 am

Plumeria wrote:No idea if this will work, but, what about that visquine stuff. The kind that construction or window people put on windows? Its clear yet seethroughish. And, a little more thick/durable than shower curtains. Like I said, no reall idea if it will work,but, that popped into my head.

This is interesting and makes me think that the playa dust would really work in a positive way for this application with this material.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Wed May 19, 2010 1:38 pm

Light colored shade cloth is ideal. Shade cloth is tough, unlikely to tear.

Wide meshy scrim fabric and lycra, which has windload, but stretches in gusts can be ordered from rosebrand.com Rosebrand Fabrics.

I can't remember if I saw it this past year, but heat shrink boat wrap or construction wrap is made of recyclable polyethylene (#4). You would need a strong structure staked down because it doesn't let wind through.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Wed May 19, 2010 9:16 pm

I see several using white spandex, stretched tight. Seems to work well.