Unveiling the Principles of 3D Animation Projection

You might wonder why 3D animation projectors are so expensive yet sometimes produce less clear images than TVs. Let’s reveal the workings of a 3D animation projector through a simple explanation—this isn’t magic but a result of precise technology.

The Basics of Video

First, we need to understand the basic structure of video. A video is essentially made up of a series of frames, with each frame being a static image. During video recording, a camera takes numerous pictures, and when played back, these pictures are shown in sequence. This continuous playback tricks our visual system into perceiving a smooth video.

The number of frames a camera captures per second is referred to as FPS (Frames Per Second). The difference between 24 FPS and 12 FPS is that 24 FPS appears much smoother.

Components of a 3D Animation Projector

Next, let’s explore how a 3D animation projector works. The effectiveness and cost of a 3D animation projector are mainly determined by its internal components and technology. The most common type of 3D animation projector today is the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projector. These projectors are cost-effective and long-lasting. A 3D animation projector typically consists of the following three parts:

1. Circuit Board: The circuit board splits each frame into three separate images, each missing one of the primary colors. These images are then sent to the projection components. The circuit board controls all functions of the projector.
2. Laser Section: This section includes blue lasers, a color wheel, and various lenses and mirrors. Blue lasers are used because they are generally brighter than other types of light. The color wheel converts blue light into white light and is mounted on a motor that spins at high speed to ensure even light distribution. Additionally, three special types of mirrors, called dichroic mirrors, separate the white light into different colors.
3. Projection Section: This section includes three polarized LCD panels and a prism. The LCD panels have many lenses at their centers, which are used to project the images.

The Working Process of a 3D Animation Projector

So, how do these complex components work together? Here’s a detailed look at the working process of a 3D animation projector:

1. Data Processing: When the 3D animation projector is connected to a computer, the incoming data is first received by the processor. The processor then splits each frame into three images, each missing one of the primary colors.
2. Image Separation and Adjustment: These three color-missing images are sent to the polarized LCD panels. The panels automatically adjust to ensure that the light passing through them is neither too bright nor too dark.
3. Light Source Activation: The lasers are activated and converted into white light by the color wheel. This white light is then reflected onto the first dichroic mirror, which reflects the red light onto one of the polarized panels. The corresponding green and blue lights are also separated and projected onto their respective polarized panels.
4. Color Recombination: The polarized panels then complete the images by adding the missing colors. For example, a color image can be split into three images, each missing red, green, or blue. By filling in the missing colors and recombining these images, the full-color image is restored.
5. Image Projection: Finally, the completed color image is focused through lenses and projected onto a screen, producing the 3D animation effect we see.

Types of 3D Animation Projectors

There are various types of 3D animation projectors, such as those using lamps for backlighting or LED projectors, but their basic working principles are similar. Different types of 3D animation projectors vary in light sources and display technologies, but their core principles are based on the aforementioned process.