Have you heard about mapping? In Russian transcription this is mapping, mapping. The concept has several meanings that are not related to each other. Consider each of them in the context of the area where they are relevant.
What does the concept mean in general?
Mapping, mapping, mapping, mapping is the determination of the correspondence of information between two different semantics of both one object and several. In other words, the so-called transformation of data from one form to another.
What is mapping? In general terms, the term is quite broad - it can be either a meticulous conversion of one sequence of elements to another, or the usual conversion of currency, files. Thus, everything that is hiding under the term being disassembled is best expressed in the English term data mapping.
Mapping examples
Let us see that this is mapping, using the following examples:
- Drawing up a document of correspondence of accounting accounts from their various plans. For example, Russian, IFRS, management accounting, etc.
- Transfer of database codes of one system to another. For example, we need to convert the notation 0 and 1 to no and yes.
- Translating dollars into euros is a kind of mapping.
- Changing the format of the .png image to .jpg, the film from .avi to .mp4, carried out in a graphic, video editor, will in some way relate to the subject of our conversation.
Game development
Mapping (from the English map - "terrain map") can also act in the meaning of level design. This name has a discipline in the development of video games. This is primarily the creation of varying difficulty levels - elaboration of the player’s mission, location design, task writing and so on. In practice, such activities are carried out in the editor of the "levellers".
Mapping technologies here are heterogeneous - it all depends on the budget of the developers, the nature and genre of the game being created. Consider a classic example to have a better understanding of the concept:
- Creating a map of the territory and dividing it into zones - cities, mountains, underground tunnels, forests and so on.
- The determination of the regions associated with a specific player’s activity is a battlefield, a store of additional attributes, resource extraction, fortifications, a resting place, a board of honor, and so on.
- The study of non-static objects. They can be keys, doors, secret buttons and moves, disappearing secret passages and so on.
- The identification of important locations of organizations is a point of restoration, treasures, treasures, hiding places with secret weapons and so on.
- Establishment of a start and finish line for each player.
- Revitalizing the map with a number of details: adding elements such as textures, sounds, audio, visual effects, illusions, animations, etc.
- Insert the necessary triggers (mechanisms that check for the presence of any object in the created game space) and scripts (scripts, brief action algorithms).
- Creation of specific mob mobility scripts (non-static objects, characters): zones where they can move, their interaction, dialogue with the player, etc.
- Sometimes it involves creating cut scenes - a beautiful screen saver, a mini-movie, a kind of trailer for a game or level, a group of “levellers”, which a gamer can only view, but not affect what is happening in it.
Video mapping
What is video mapping (3D mapping)? This is an amazing technology that allows you to project images, specially created films on large-scale uneven surfaces, for example, on the facades of buildings.
The uniqueness of this is that it allows you to "revive" houses, other buildings, cars, interior items in order to give them visual mobility. And all is achieved only by projectors installed according to a certain plan. The "magic" of moving three-dimensional images is the super-precise correspondence of the elements on which the picture is reflected, and the video projection itself.
Although for many of us, mapping is a fairly new direction, he was born back in the sixties of the last century. We owe his appearance to Walt Disney and Disney Studios. Then the working title of mapping was “shading lamps”, “virtual reality space”. The first show is the Ghost Manor attraction at Disneyland. Artificial severed heads were created for him, onto which an image was projected, “animating” them.
What can be video mapping?
Depending on the object on which the image is reflected, the technology is divided into several directions:
- Architectural. Three-dimensional projection on a complex object - the facade of the building, bridge, tower, as well as on an airplane, ship and so on.
- Interior. Creating interesting illusory solutions indoors by projecting pictures onto walls, ceiling, floor.
- For small objects. Both small forms and elements of something larger are used. For example, car wheels, cake, bridesmaid dress and so on.
- Landscaping. The basis are forests, mountains and other natural objects.
- Interactive. The newest direction, excellent in that here the person becomes the hero. Technology animates objects around the artist, helping him create an unforgettable show.
Where does 3D mapping apply?
Let's see where this technology may be relevant:
- creation of volumetric illuminated advertising on various surfaces;
- city ​​holidays, public events;
- major corporate events;
- opening of shopping centers, entertainment complexes;
- children holidays;
- cultural, historical, educational events.
Most effective of all, this show looks in the dark. To give a more striking effect, the organizers combine it with suitable surround sound, live music, fireworks.
If you want to get acquainted with the reviews about the technology, then just listen to those who at least once visited the Moscow "Circle of the World." Recently, every autumn in the capital, this festival attracts thousands of spectators. Designers from different countries create video projections that are shown on the facade of the Bolshoi Theater, the main pavilion of VDNH, the Ostankino television tower, the main building of Moscow State University, etc.
Mapping is a multi-valued concept. This is a complex data conversion, and the creation of locations in computer games, and a show based on projecting images on large and small objects.