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Creating images, logos or text in light is different than using
other signs. Several factors can affect the degree of success: light
sources, ambient and competing light, reflectivity and color of the
projection surface, distance of the surface from the light source,
size of the image, color filters, and finally, special effects you
may choose to use. Let's address each of these factors.
LIGHT SOURCES - The lamps used in ARTICULIGHT GRAPHIC PROJECTION
SERIES vary by model. Generally, lamps with higher wattage produce
more light. Output is rated in lumen. tamps used in ARTICULIGHT
units have a light output ranging from 2,600 to 110,000 lumen. Color
temperatures also affect how brilliant a projected image is. Color
temperatures are rated in degrees Kelvin. Lamps with a Higher color
temperature produce whiter light. Available color temperatures range
from 3,200º Kelvin (a warmer halogen light) to 5,600º Kelvin (a
medium source daylight).
AMBIENT AND COMPETING LIGHT - Light is always in competition with
other light. There is no light stronger than the sun. Projecting
images in light on surfaces that are exposed to daylight is
ineffective A good rule of thumb: the lower the ambient and
competing light, the more brilliant and striking the projected
images are. But even in areas of high ambient light it is possible
to achieve high contrast, as long as the projection surface itself
is shielded from competing light.
REFLECTIVITY, COLOR AND TEXTURE OF THE PROJECTION SURFACE - The
optimum surface to project images is on a light colored, matte
surface. Darker surfaces (black, dark red or dark blue) are likely
to absorb much of the light and will, therefore, he less effective.
Sometimes, darker paints have special reflective qualities and may
be suitable to project images on. The best way is to check how well
the beam of a flashlight is visible on the surface under actual
lighting conditions. Generally, matte or textured surfaces produce
better results than shiny Surfaces. Certain building materials are
particularly suitable to project images on: plaster, painted walls,
concrete and aggregate, brushed meters, brick and light wood. Glass,
mirrors and certain high glass metals are less suitable.
DISTANCE OF THE SURFACE FROM THE LIGHT SOURCE - The shorter the
distance, the brighter the image. It is, therefore, important to
select a system with sufficient power to project the image over the
desired distance. The ARTICULIGHT IMAGINAIRE™, a small unit, is
suitable for distance of up to 8 or 9 feet, depending, of course, on
the ambient light. In near darkness, this system can project much
farther. This unit uses halogen lamps and produces a warm light with
a color temperature of 3200ºK. The IMAGE MAKER™ has a color
temperature of 4200ºK and the LOGO LIGHT™ has 5200ºK and both are
capable of projecting images up to 30 feet (1OM). The DV-200, DP-
200, ADVERTISING SCAN and the MOVER use the MSD-200, a 200W metal
halide lamp with 5600ºK color temperature capable of projecting
images up to 30' (10M). They produce a more brilliant, whiter light
- the higher the color temperature of the light source, the whiter
the image. The DP-H250 uses a 250W lamp source with 3200ºK capable
of projecting images up to 30' (10M).
LAMP LIFE - At ARTICULIGHT, we put a lot of thought into the light
source before designing the projector. We have chosen long life
bulbs ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 hours reducing maintenance and
saving on lamp replacement.
SIZE OF THE IMAGE - Tradeoffs: the smaller the image, the stronger
its intensity. Basically, you trade off brightness for size. Under
difficult circumstances, powerful special lenses can be used. A wide
angle lens, for example, can project an image as high and as wide as
the unit is from the projection surface. Example; A unit mounted
only 6 feet from the projection surface can project an image 6 feet
high or wide. In cases where the unit must be mounted far from the
projection surface, a telephoto or zoom lens can be deployed to
compensate for the greater distance.
COLOR FILTERS - All color filters absorb light, some more than
others. As a rule, red and blue filters absorb more light than green
or yellow. When using color filters, you trade color for brightness,
although images projected with green or yellow dichroic filters can
be quite brilliant.
SPECIAL EFFECTS - These accessories can be used to set images in
motion (horizontal, vertical, circular or elliptical), to fade
images and make them reappear; or to create special effects such: as
rotating images, realistic images of water or clouds; images
"flowing in the wind' or multiple images created from a single one,
using a two or four-fold prism. To use these special effects, please
contact an ARTICULIGHT Lighting Consultant.
For some examples of how the ARTICULIGHT GRAPHIC PROJECTION SERIES
can be used in various environments please refer to our application
brochures. Your applications can be as unique as your ideas. To
assist you in designing with light, please call an ARTICULIGHT
lighting specialist for a free consultation.
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