Getting Started with ProMapper

This tutorial walks you through your first projection mapping project from start to finish. You will learn how to connect your iPhone or iPad to a projector, create and position projection surfaces, load visual content, fine-tune your alignment, and go live with mapped visuals on any physical surface. Whether you are projecting onto a gallery wall, a stage backdrop, or the side of a building, ProMapper makes the entire process simple and laptop-free. By the end of this guide, you will have a fully working projection mapping setup controlled entirely from your iOS device.

What You'll Need

Before you begin, make sure you have the following equipment ready. ProMapper is designed to work with minimal hardware, so setup is straightforward.

• iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later — ProMapper takes advantage of the latest Metal GPU capabilities available in iOS 17+. Any iPhone from iPhone 12 onward or any iPad from iPad Air (5th generation) onward will deliver smooth performance.
• A projector — Any projector will work, but we recommend one rated at 2000 lumens or higher for best visibility. Lower-lumen projectors work well in dark rooms, while higher-lumen models are needed for ambient light conditions or larger surfaces.
• A connection method — You can connect wirelessly via AirPlay (using an Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible projector, or AirPlay receiver) or with a wired connection using a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter, depending on your device.
• A surface to project onto — This can be anything: a flat wall, a three-dimensional object, architectural features, furniture, or even the exterior of a building. ProMapper's surface tools let you map content onto virtually any shape.

Step 1 — Connect to Your Projector

The first step is establishing the connection between your iOS device and your projector. ProMapper supports both wireless and wired connections, and it automatically detects the external display as soon as it is available.

Option A: AirPlay (Wireless)

Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen. Tap Screen Mirroring and select your projector, Apple TV, or AirPlay receiver from the list. Once connected, your device screen will mirror to the projector. AirPlay is ideal when you need mobility — you can walk around the venue and adjust your mapping from anywhere within Wi-Fi range.

Option B: HDMI (Wired)

Plug a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter (for older iPhones and iPads) or a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter (for iPhone 15 and later, iPad Pro, and iPad Air) into your device, then connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to your projector. The wired connection provides zero-latency output, making it the best choice for live performances or situations where timing precision matters.

Automatic Detection

Once connected, ProMapper automatically detects the external display. Your iOS device becomes the control surface, showing a preview of your projection canvas along with all editing tools, while the projector displays only the mapped output — clean and full-screen with no interface elements. This dual-screen setup means you can make adjustments on your device without the audience seeing any editing controls on the projected image.

Step 2 — Create a New Project

With your projector connected, it is time to create your first project inside ProMapper.

1. Open ProMapper on your iPhone or iPad. You will see the home screen with your project library.
2. Tap the "Create New Project" button. This opens a dialog where you can name your project.
3. Give your project a descriptive name — for example, "Stage Project", "Gallery Wall", or "Building Facade". A clear name makes it easy to find your project later when you have multiple setups saved.
4. After confirming, you will enter the Projection Canvas. This is your main workspace. The canvas represents the full projection area that your projector is outputting. Everything you place on this canvas will appear on the projected surface.

Projects in ProMapper are saved automatically, so you can close the app and return to your project at any time without losing your work.

Step 3 — Add Your First Surface

Surfaces are the core building blocks of any projection mapping project. Each surface represents a physical area where you want to project content.

1. Tap the "Add Surface" button (the + icon) in the toolbar. A new rectangular surface appears on the canvas.
2. This rectangle represents your projection surface. Drag the corners of the rectangle to reshape it so that it matches the physical surface you are projecting onto. For example, if you are projecting onto a window frame, drag the four corners until the rectangle aligns perfectly with the edges of the window in the projected image.
3. For surfaces that share edges — such as two adjacent walls or panels arranged side by side — use the "Sticky Corners" feature. When Sticky Corners is enabled, dragging a corner near another surface's corner will snap them together, ensuring seamless alignment between adjacent surfaces with no gaps or overlaps.

You can add as many surfaces as your project requires. Each surface operates independently, meaning you can assign different content, adjust properties, and reposition each one without affecting the others.

Step 4 — Add Content

Now that you have a surface, it is time to fill it with visual content. ProMapper offers a range of content types to suit different mapping scenarios.

1. Double-tap a surface to open the content picker. This presents all available content types in a grid view.
2. Choose from the following content types available to all users:
   • Grid — A calibration grid pattern, perfect for verifying your surface alignment before adding final content.
   • Image — Load any photo from your camera roll or files. The image will be mapped to fit the surface.
   • Video — Import video files that will play on the surface, looping automatically.
   • Solid Color — Fill the surface with a single color. Useful for architectural highlighting or creating color-blocked designs.
   • Gradient — Apply a smooth gradient between two or more colors across the surface.
   • Free Text — Add custom text with control over font, size, and color. Great for signage and event branding.
3. Pro users unlock additional content types:
   • Animated Text — Text with built-in motion effects and transitions for dynamic displays.
   • Live Detection — Real-time object detection using Core ML, enabling reactive projections that respond to physical objects in the scene.
   • 3D Portal — ARKit-powered depth effects that create the illusion of three-dimensional space within a flat surface.

After selecting a content type, you can adjust its properties. Use the property panel to control brightness, contrast, saturation, and opacity. For video content, you can also set loop points and playback speed. These adjustments let you dial in exactly the right look for your environment and lighting conditions.

Step 5 — Fine-Tune with Surface Tools

Getting your projection to align perfectly with the physical surface is the key to convincing projection mapping. ProMapper provides several tools to help you achieve pixel-perfect results.

Corner Adjustment

Tap any surface to select it, then drag each of the four corners independently. This perspective correction (also known as corner-pinning or keystoning) allows you to compensate for the angle of your projector relative to the surface. Even if your projector is mounted off-center or at a steep angle, you can warp the output to fit the physical surface precisely.

Surface Slicer

For complex arrangements, use the Surface Slicer tool to subdivide a single surface into smaller sections. This is especially useful when mapping onto surfaces with architectural details — such as a wall with columns, windows, or recessed panels. Slice a large surface into segments and adjust each one individually for a more detailed mapping.

Adding More Surfaces

Most real-world projection mapping projects involve multiple surfaces. Tap the + button again to add additional surfaces. Position and shape each one to match different physical areas in your scene. For example, you might have one surface covering a wall, another on a door, and a third on a piece of furniture — each with different content.

Calibration Pattern

Use the built-in Calibration Pattern to verify your alignment. This pattern projects a precise grid of lines and markers that make it easy to spot any misalignment. Assign the Grid content type to each surface temporarily, verify that all lines are straight and corners are accurate, then swap in your final content once everything is aligned.

Step 6 — Go Live

Here is the best part: your projector has been showing the output in real time throughout the entire setup process. There is no separate "publish" or "render" step. Every change you make on your device is instantly reflected in the projected image.

Flow Visualiser

For live performances and interactive installations, activate the Flow Visualiser. This Metal-powered fluid simulation creates stunning, real-time generative visuals that respond to your touch. Swipe your finger across the device screen to create touch-reactive fluid visuals that flow and evolve on the projected surface. The Flow Visualiser runs at 60 frames per second, delivering smooth and responsive animations.

Flow Config Panel

Open the Flow Config panel to customize the behavior of the fluid simulation. Adjust parameters including:

• Speed — Control how fast the fluid moves and responds to input.
• Diffusion — Set how quickly the fluid spreads and dissipates across the surface.
• Kaleidoscope — Enable symmetrical mirroring effects that multiply your gestures into complex patterns.

These controls give you expressive, real-time command over your visuals during live performances, DJ sets, art installations, and interactive exhibits.

Tips for Better Results

With the basics covered, here are practical tips that will help you get the most out of your projection mapping setup.

• Start with a flat white surface for best contrast. White surfaces reflect the most light and produce the most vivid colors. Dark or colored surfaces will absorb some of the projected light and shift the color balance.
• Use a higher lumen projector for bright rooms. If you are projecting in a space with ambient light — a gallery during the day, a storefront, or an outdoor event at dusk — a projector rated at 3000 lumens or more will ensure your visuals remain visible and vibrant.
• Use the Grid content type first to align surfaces precisely. Before loading your final images or videos, assign the Grid pattern to every surface and spend a few minutes perfecting the corner positions. This calibration step saves time and avoids misalignment in your final output.
• Add multiple surfaces gradually rather than all at once. Start with one surface, get it aligned and looking right, then add the next. Building up your project surface by surface is faster and less error-prone than trying to position everything simultaneously.
• Use AirPlay for mobility, HDMI for zero-latency. AirPlay lets you move freely around a venue while controlling the projection, which is great for large installations. HDMI provides the lowest possible latency, making it the better choice for live performances where every millisecond matters.

Next Steps

Now that you have completed your first projection mapping project, explore what else ProMapper can do.

• Try advanced features — Upgrade to Pro to unlock object detection (surfaces that react to real-world objects), 3D portals (depth illusions powered by ARKit head tracking), and animated text with motion presets.
• Export your project as video (coming soon) — Record your projection mapping output directly from ProMapper and export it as a video file. Share your work on social media, include it in a portfolio, or send it to a client for review.
• Explore Flow Visualiser presets — The Flow Visualiser includes a library of presets designed for different performance styles. Browse through them to find starting points for DJ sets, ambient installations, theatrical productions, and more.

Projection mapping is a craft that rewards experimentation. Try different surfaces, play with content combinations, and push the boundaries of what you can create with just your iPhone and a projector.