Maps & Networks - Sculpture Build & Projection Mapping Experiments

I started out planning my sculpture by doing some math and some very BTEC drawings of 3D nets for the buildings. I worked out a formula which helped build my sculptures to a sort of replicated scale that they would be in the correct height and size against each other. 

The formula was simply (every 1m X 1.3(cm) = _ _ _ (a three digit figure) divided by 10) This gave me the scale in cm. 

The first building I made was the Shard as it was essentially the easiest to make, I attached the 4 sides together using a TAB system and left some tabs at the top for the pointy peak. I used semi permanent sticky roll glue for less mess and this meant I could disassemble if I incorrectly laid it wrong.

Some of the side began to come undone. 

Semi permanent sticky glue tape.

After about 10 minutes and quite clearly and audience, it began to unstick and come apart. 

I popped back out to the shop to find some more permanent solution and luckily I found some, I re-stuck the sides.  

I started next on the Leadenhall Building which I sculpted two separate building blocks, one which was the back and simply a 3D rectangle and the front which has a declining slant.  

I then began to create which I found to be the hardest of the buildings. The Walkie Talkie building with its sexy curves was a challenge to say the least. I managed to draw a big box then curve the net of it and add tabs to it. 

I started thinking about the way I wanted them to be stood with each other. I started with height order. I do not feel as though it looks dynamic enough. 

I think angling them at the side so you are show the 3D-ness to them will help with the projection and give another element of realism to them. I like the order they're in as its dynamic looking. 

Overall, I am happy with the outcome. I believe that after they have been mapped out and have some basic animation on them to experiment with I can potentially make them bigger if I feel necessary or just simply keep the ones I have already and rebuild them a little better. 

Now to try out my mapping....

Just to experiment on whether or not this idea is going to work or not, I have been looking for some free softwares to do the hard graft at the moment to see if the idea is actually "doable". I found one called MapMap which at first I didn't understand by after a couple of videos on YouTube I got there. 

The software is simple, you have to import your media, which for some reason likes MP4s, I scavenged one off of YouTube to practice with. 

Then Simply you add the amount of compositions you need for each panel, then scale them to fit your model. 

This is the best outcome I've had so far with it, the only set back is it doesn't keep the same quality for each composition as they're different sizes. Also you are only given three composition shapes, a square, a triangle and a circle, it would be extremely beneficial to have a pen tool option as my Walkie Talkie building is curvy. 

Trying to freehand map 

Following instruction from a video I watched on YouTube before they simply used PowerPoint to draw the outline of their sculpture so I did the same. Though mine is incredibly rough, I would like to have another go at it with a mouse or my illustration tablet. 

I took a screenshot of the map and then checked that when it was in full screen mode it matched. 

Which it did. 

Whilst experimenting with this I realized that parts of my sculpture had began to come undone, even with the permanent glue *heavy eye roll* so I am going to have to find a solution. Either some stronger glue, or perhaps making them again with a different material like MDF and screws. 

Overall I am happy so far with the experiments and the white works well with showing the animation. I am considering adding two more sculptures for some more varied shapes and a bigger scale. Even if that means more editing and animating.