[visual effect fabrics]

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ABOUT PROJECTION FABRICS

In theatres, operas or for special events, scrims and semi-transparent nets and gauzes are often used to create exciting optical effects. Semi-transparent materials can be opaque and appear completely transparent the next moment, depending on the lighting situation.

When trying to create the best possible projected image that magically disappears and becomes transparent, a fabric with a tighter weave pattern works better than fabrics with more open weave patterns. The success of this effect is based upon the relationship of lighting levels in front and behind the scrim. When projecting on the front of the scrim, there should be no illumination behind it. This provides the illusion that the scrim is an opaque solid "wall". When light begins to illuminate the objects behind the scrim and the front projected images are dimmed out, the magic "bleed-through" effect happens and thus the scrim becomes transparent.

These characteristics can be effectively achieved with high-contrast projections where in bright areas, the projection materializes on the fabric, creating an opaque image, while the dark areas reveal a clear the view of the space behind the fabric.

The strength of the effect depends on many factors:

The viewing distance in relationship to the opening size of the weave

1 The closer together the threads are in a scrim fabric, the better the projection quality will be. Anything behind the scrim will nearly disappear and the more convincing the effect will be when the lighting change happens.

2 The further the threads are apart, the less convincing the effect will be transitioning from "solid wall" to "transparent wall".

The physical colour of the fabric is very important in relationship to the projected image

1 A white colour fabric in a dark environment has a very good projection quality but has a harder time "disappearing" once the effect changes because of its light colour.

2 A black colour fabric disappears very well in a dark environment but the projection quality can be dim and contrast ratio poor.

3 A grey colour scrim is a very good compromise thus producing a good quality image and still "disappearing" to an acceptable level in a dark environment.

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