Want to spice up your next event? Projection-mapped cakes provide striking, unique centerpieces for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, or any celebrations. Thanks to advances in projectors and mapping software, projection mapping has become more accessible than ever before.

If you’re already knowledgeable in video editing or animation, then you’ll have no problem cake mapping yourself. And even if you’re unfamiliar with those skills, a willingness to learn goes a long way.

Here’s an easy guide for beginners where we’ll break down what projection mapping is and how to do cake mapping, also known as 3d video mapping or projection mapping on cakes. Before long, you’ll have a beautiful projection-mapped cake to show off, like the one shown in the video below.

What is Projection Mapping?

Remember how teachers would project onto a flat, white screen in classrooms? Well, projection mapping takes that technique a step further.

Projection mapping uses software to map light from video projectors onto any surface, like buildings, cakes, and more! It can be used for advertising, concerts, decorating, and anything else you can think of. If you want to turn common 3D objects into interactive displays, then projection mapping can help with that.

Projection Mapping on Cake

Projection mapping on cakes is a creative way to add dynamic visuals, such as animations or images, to a cake. Cake mapping involves projecting light patterns or video content onto a cake, creating an illusion on the cake’s surface. Let’s get into the steps you’ll need to take to do it yourself.

Choosing Your Cake

First, you’ll need a cake! You can use a cake of any size with any number of tiers, but according to Luma Box, the recommendation is to use a plain white, square, 5-tier cake.

You can also use a fake cake, crafted from things like Styrofoam and white fondant icing, or a real cake. But square-based cake tiers with straight sides work best. Although it’s possible to map a round cake, square cakes with straight edges are much easier to video map than ones with curved surfaces, so keep that in mind.

Selecting a Projector for Cake Mapping

There are also some important attributes a projector should have to make it more suitable for cake mapping. It’s recommended to use projectors with a short throw lens and at least 2000 lumens. Also, keep in mind that while cake mapping can be accomplished with only one projector, the best set-up uses at least two. To figure out how far you should place your projectors, you can use trial and error, or you can calculate the required distance using the projector’s throw ratio, listed in the projector’s specifications.

Creating Video Content to Project

Utilize software like Adobe After Effects, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, or even PowerPoint to create animations and images. Make sure the design fits the shape and size of the cake. There are several tutorials online for how to create content with different platforms. For example, here’s a YouTube tutorial on how to add text to your cake projection mapping with Shotcut, a free video editing software.

Utilizing Projection Mapping Software for 3D Mapping

To achieve a precise mapping, you can use 3D video projection mapping software such as MadMapper, Resolume Arena, TouchDesigner, or MapMap. These tools allow you to adjust and align your content with the physical contours of the cake, ensuring that the projection lines up properly. Here is a playlist of tutorials that showcases how to use different mapping software to project onto cake. Finally, make sure to test your projection before the event!

In Closing

To wrap things up, cake mapping involves projecting light patterns or video content onto a cake. You can do this yourself by following these steps: picking a cake type, selecting a projector, creating video content, and utilizing projection mapping software. Having a projection-mapped cake as a centerpiece for your next event will create a memorable experience that others won’t soon forget.

Another trend in projection mapping is projecting onto entire buildings like houses and even capitol buildings! Check out how urban projection mapping is bringing buildings to life worldwide.