HoloNet

Oxford University students pose with Hologram of Brain.

Boy George appears virtually on stage at full life size- This holographic projection can be seen daily in a UK museum- see case studies.

Holographic image of lion floating on Panasonic's stand at Exhibition in The Natural history Museum in London.

What is HoloNet?

Holonet™ is a real silver (Ag) coated front projection screen used to create holographic effects. In the right lighting, it is transparent and invisible to an audience and yet it can also produce astonishingly realistic projected images of people or objects. These images reflect back to the audience and remain vivid and bright. The result is highly realistic holographic images for large and medium-scale applications.

Unlike other “holographic” systems, this patent-pending Holonet™ is fast and simple to rig. It can be reused many times. Available up to 6.5m tall and wide / very wide if needed.

Uses: -

Make highly realistic digital reproductions of people or products appear magically in mid-air.

Locations where this product works very well

Theatres, Stages, Exhibitions, Corporate Events, Teleconferencing venues, Product Promotions, Simulation settings.

Indian dancer 2.mp4

Night-time Outdoor Holographic effects also possible: -

Weather permitting of course!
- The surface can be rigged in force 3 winds and even though there is some bow of the material the surface will be acceptable for a projection from a single correctly lensed and positioned projector. Please ask for details.
- The material has been tested to 200mph in a wind tunnel - but does elastically deform hence the recommendation of only force 3 for reasons of projection quality.
- Additionally even though the material will not tear or rip in the main areas the seams and other structural components will be acted upon by forces that need to be professionally rated and specified. After all this is in effect becomes an inefficient sail.

This is the brightest most reflective version of this type of product; meaning that for any viewing conditions this surface will make a brighter image with the same projector. This means we are able to create more cost effective and higher quality solutions when compared to our competitors.

Pricing

Prices are calculated as follows

Surface areas of HoloNet priced in m sq (Note material is a max of 6.5m in one direction by longer dimensions in other direction eg 10m, 15m or more are all possible)

Plus

Edge treatment priced by perimeter m distance.

Plus

Packing Bag

Plus

Delivery ( usually surprisingly low even for international travel - owing to the low weight )

Plus

Local sales taxes. and importation duties and certification costs.

Please contact us to receive your company's qualified pricing rates .

Creating effective solutions with HoloNet

This is a professional Audio Visual component product. To make effective projected Holographic imagery, you generally, require access to professional equipment. Unlike other projection surfaces this material is best specified to fill a space or gap such that the edge or framing can be hidden away from view. Implementation requires detailed planning. This is a technical product and tends to only be bought on its own by technicians who understand the set up criteria and the lighting requirements. Please ask for advice if you are unsure.

Complementary products

Secondary Image Reducing Materials

When setting up a HoloNet illusion you are always challenged with how to hide the unwanted secondary image from the viewer. There are several obvious ways to manage the light spill through the holes of the HoloNet . E.g. hang banners or have a proscenium arch to hide any ceiling spill from view or raise the baseline and drop the spill into a pit or behind a wall.

When these options are not available then other methods need to be implemented to avoid an unsightly secondary image. You can see in the following series of photos a test that demonstrates the problem of secondary light reduction material and its effect on the finish of this illusion.

Projection onto HoloNet with a wooden floor behind the net.

When you look specifically at the projected image on the floor you can see the unwanted projected light is very prominent and distracting.

Projection onto HoloNet with a black carpet floor behind the net.

When you look closely at the floor area behind you can see the unwanted projected image on the floor is still obvious and is even more obvious when there is motion in the imagery.

Projection onto HoloNet with a our Secondary Image Reduction Material laid on the floor behind

Projection onto HoloNet with the Secondary Light Reduction Material on the floor behind the net.

Examples of this product used in projects

This material is used well in the following examples where you will see that there is no obvious secondary image on the floor or walls of the systems: -

Other Elements of this illusion that we can also offer: -

The following list of services and components are offered by our company to help our clients to develop an amazing illusion using this technique. This is effectively a pick and mix choice depending on your confidence or capacity. We have numerous case studies that show how we have partnered with clients to deliver the solution they need: -

Demonstration
Design and consultancy
Site surveying
Work flow process advice
Component specification
- Projector brightness required etc.
- lens selection
Product testing in our factory
- - - including Factory acceptance of our systems
Advice on the production of content suitable for the system being designed and built
Management of the Production of content.
- - - Filmed content
    - CGI content
    - Mixed animation content
Content testing and context setting
- - - e.g. lighting arrangements and how they complement the hardware and content to develop the finished show.
Staff training in our methods or our own staff to deliver on site supervision or installation.
Projection grade first surface mirrors– of military / simulation grade specification.
- - - See Knowledge base for explanation
Curved mirrors for specialist applications
- - - E.g. ultra-short throw projection using short throw lenses
Rear projection option
- ask for HoloNet Type R
Media players or servers with playback post production effects.
Show control capable
Lighting – including DMX control
Microphones
Amplifiers /Mixers
Speakers
Physical structures plus stage drapes and other complementary finishes.
- - - E.g. Truss and blackout

For more advice please speak to our staff on 0044 1234 241021 or email hello@interestingav.com

HoloNet Edging Options

There are several ways to finish the edge of the HoloNet fabric. Call us on the number above to discuss your preferences.

Web and eyelet edging

This is the classic standard method which is ideal for attaching the HoloNet material to theatre fly-bar.

Wooden Frame with Velcro Stuck and Stapled To The Wood

The HoloNet material will conveniently attach itself to the hook section of the Velcro sometimes referred to as the male strip. it can be unhooked and reattached and if this is done with care then the material will not snag and then have holes develop.

Attaching To A Metal Frame Using Velcro

In this method the Velcro hook strip is first attached to the metal frame with its own glue. This glue is not reliable enough on its own and has to be augmented with another fixing method either a pot rivet, screw or as in the instance below cable ties around the section of the metal.

A catenary wire sewn into the edge of the HoloNet

Here you can see a low stretch cord which can be pulled between fixed structures to make a low profile edge. here the double material area is 25mm.

Web pocket on bottom edge with chain weights

Chain weights of different weights can be drawn through this webbing pocket to secure the bottom edge on a stage

Trap HoloNet In The Groove Of A Profile.

We have delivered several projects when we have taken an aluminium profile and used a method for trapping the material in the groove. This method can be very useful when a low profile frame is essential.

In this case the groove of the selected profile was too big and needed filling with some padding - a good way to do this is to use a rope.

Lay the HoloNet over the groove and then push a bungee rope that is just slightly smaller than the groove entry gap to trap the HoloNet. In this instance it was best to fold the HoloNet back over the first bungee and insert an additional bungee further trapping the HoloNet in the groove before trimming to size and for neatness.

Note that before the final trim it is possible to reset and add tension to the surface.

Some typical system setups and detailed descriptions

We are often asked how to set up a HoloNet system for best effect. If you consider how you would set up an ordinary projection system then your first planning steps would be to consider where the projected image and therefore the projection screen should be relative to the audience. Next you would consider position of the projector to ensure it is out of the way of any other activities happening in the space. To set up a HoloNet system there are some added considerations. and the following notes should help you plan an effective install.

Please Note: - that this screen surface needs to be set up in appropriately lit environments to develop the materials transparency. The light levels behind the surface needs to be higher than in front of the surface. Additionally all light from any source other than the projector should be directed away from the HoloNet surface.

Decide where you want the image to be positioned relative to the audience.
In thinking about where to place the Holonet surface you will have to decide the size of the material. Note in these installations this size is rarely chosen to meet the aspect ratio of the projector or the size of the projected frame. This is because: -
1. the image is usually confined to an in area in the middle of the projection frame and is surrounded by black. ( for the explanation of why black, please see our comments on content creation elsewhere on this site).
2. for the most effective illusions you want to hide the edge of the material out of the audience view... So next you need to plan how to achieve this.

Note; the eye can look through the HoloNet to a scene behind then scan past an edge that is expected to be observed in the scene e.g. a pillar or a lamppost. If the area on the other side of the structure is without HoloNet and the scene is properly lit the audience will not realize there is a surface in place.. However , the audience eye will notice the edge of an non-edged piece of material even in the correct lighting conditions. So although transparent the surface is not properly invisible - it is just your eyes are tricked into thinking it is. You can see in the following photo how keeping light off the front surface and illuminating the rear scene well you can develop this invisibility.

3. Now consider where the unwanted secondary projected image is going to resolve and think about the following methods for reducing or eliminating this from view. Your main options are: -

1. 1. Ensure that the secondary image does not hit anything that is visible to the audience - this could involve the use of screens or set works to obscure an area where the secondary is to be dumped.
  2. Reduce the intensity of any light that cannot be hidden. If there is sufficient distance between the Holonet and the surface where the secondary image hits then the rules associated with projector lens selection will deliver an expansion of the projected image size corresponding to the specification and distance from lens. In other words the wider the image goes for each metre of projection throw the weaker the image brightness.
  3. Reduce the intensity by applying highly specialized light absorbing materials or more cost effectively light absorbing and reflecting materials like our Secondary Light Reduction Material.
  4. Overprint the projected imagery with stage lighting
  5. Or some combination of all of the above.

4. Then select the projector and lens combination that can best deliver the above and locate it in the best place possible to achieve the above plan.

5. Since the imagery is usually constantly moving there is a small amount of sub optimization of the above set up process that can be tolerated by the average user without ruining the experience.

Sometimes several iterations are needed to the plan before the optimal positioning is achieved.

The following diagrams should help you understand some of the options. (We keep finding new ways - so do come back for updates).

NOTE: Ultra short throw lenses are featured prominently in the following diagrams...but there is no reason why you can not also use other lens options.

Front projection floor mounted projector "holographic" style image floating in mid air

The example below were set up with the projector on the floor in front of the HoloNet and were made using an ultra short throw projector lens . In some cases the projector was hidden from view . And in some cases there were people behind or in front of the HoloNet . These people were carefully lit to ensure that no direct light was shone onto the surface other than projected light.

Note: - that the image baseline is not touching a surface so not suitable for a persons image.

The rough demo set up that shows the engine also helps explain better how the set up works. the projector is on the floor the HoloNet is hung between two curtains at the sides from a metal bar above. The background is black directly behind the image which happens to have black areas so is challenging to stage. The sides of the area behind are well lit to both develop the materials transparency and enhance the 3D parallax effect that convinces the audience that they are seeing something floating away from the rear wall.

The secondary or blow through image is resolved on the ceiling which is not in view in but because it was such a high ceiling this image was less intense and could be washed over with a bright light. a lower ceiling might require a proscenium arch curtain to block the audiences view.

The illusion would be made complete by adding a structure or set works to block the audience view of the bottom edge of the HoloNet and the projector - this can be as simple as a table or some other barrier that also functions as a way to keep the audience at the appropriate viewing distance or at least +3m

Stage at raised level and projector hidden or projector sunk in a pit

Again the drawings below help explain the set up.

The following case studies were set up in this fashion: -

The rear wall was quite close in the R2D2 example and so a shredded version of our secondary light reduction material was used to ensure disruption of the blow through projected image.

Photos courtesy of Sim4Med; BT; EBRD, and MediaZest PLC

Overhead projector with raised front edge to stage and lower area behind HoloNet to drop the unwanted secondary projected "blow-through" image into

The Indian dancer in the photo here was set up on a stage set up as shown in the diagram . With the audience in an appropriate place this can be very effective

Projection onto a HoloNet that joins a flat stage surface floor - Requires additional Secondary light reduction material to work.

The set up of the HoloNet in the British Music Experience in Liverpool, UK is set up with an overhead projector hitting an apparently invisible HoloNet surface . In this case the projector was coupled with a short throw lens . The set up is sketched below. Those skilled in the art of projection will also note that this projectors light-path is also able to fill a large roll down front projection screen in front of the Holonet surface, making for a clever dual function installation. -see case studies for details.

Typical Outdoor HoloNet set up.

All of the following photos and videos are of a set up like this- although sometimes different lenses are used other than the ultrashort throw lens indicated in this diagram.

Temporary Outdoor Set Ups v Permanently Installed Solutions . - Some Important Notes: -

Temporary

Rigging a HoloNet outside for a temporary nighttime show is a quite easy and rewarding. The results make any event very special and if properly set up it will be stimulating and captivating for your audience.

Do consider the general notes regarding the set up that have been laid out higher up this page.
Consider where are the audience going to be relative to the image? - Align so they do not get an overpowering bright spot of light directly behind their view of the virtual image.
Decide how you to hide any secondary image ( this being easier outside as the best place to dump any potentially irritating secondary image... is the open night sky).
These decisions will drive your selection for the projector position and also the lens option.
You will need a budget for a powerful projector - For most installs you will need to be targeting at least 2000 lumens per m2 of image size. High Powered projectors can be professionally rented in many countries and for comparatively small amounts. ..but they tend to be very expensive to buy. In some countries there will also be a large import duty, so you should take this into account when planning your event with purchased projectors.
Of course you will also need temporary power for projector server and even lights.
Don't forget some form of protection from rain for your projector and other electronics.
Of course the image size will not necessarily relate to the HoloNet size. This being determined by the desire to hide the edges of the net form the viewer's inspection. You will need to consider the available scene for structures that the HoloNet can be attached to. E.g Flagpole or building on the roof; edge of walls, even trees all have been used as cover to hide the edge of the HoloNet.
You might chose a temporary structure for example a set of large truss goal posts to support the Holonet or even as we did with the Shark and Whale tests draw a catenary wire between two buildings.

Permanent Installation

There are some obvious attractions to making a solution a permanent install not least the attractive nature of this solution to Advertisers and Marketeers who realise for example; the head turning capability of having for example a 3m cola can floating in mid Air - (we have video of this we can share if you ask).

There are several additional considerations which need to be addressed before making a conversion into a suitable permanent installation. When the event is a temporary one there is the obvious advantage that the install is highly likely to be fully manned by technical staff. These staff can; in the final instance; ensure that equipment is kept safe and dry should the weather turn bad .

Once the system is permanent it needs to take account of these variable weather issues automatically and also consider that the surface will be held in lighting conditions that will reveal the surfaces presence and so reveal the systems magic.

Here are some considerations if you are considering a permanent install: -

The structure is designed with architectural approval and installed properly accounting for the fact that the HoloNet; whilst mostly a material with lot of holes; is still an ineffective sail and that even an ineffective sail in a strong wind deserves proper engineering calculations to be undertaken.
We have tested material to 225mph in a wind tunnel but never with sand from dessert for example so there may need to be some local considerations depending on where in the world the installation is planned.
Consideration for automatic removal and housing of the HoloNet surface during heavy weather - this might also be considered just so that the material is hidden from view during daylight hours.
Some permanent environmental housing for electronic components - suitable for all temperature and moisture levels that may be possible
Size of the image and the viewing distance - see the Knowledge Base or contact us for advice here.
For further planning information -
1. Fire rating will likely wash off
2. we have had birds strike the surface and there be no issue but that does not mean this is tested for all bird strikes, Good news is that bats seem to detect the surface and avoid like it was the side of a building.
3. we have had a surface sitting outside for a year and this still performs its optical function. - no washing other than rain.
4. we can not advise properly on the fact that insects might get trapped but the high silver content of the surface will likely make the surface an unattractive long term home.

If you would like to discuss your potential project - do supply as many photos diagrams and measurements as possible and we will attempt to help you plan.

HoloSpace

This is a unit that is 2.2m cubed in size and uses 2 projectors hidden in the side walls to project 2x Ultrashort throw images that are edge blended in portrait to create the Virtual image plane. It is the most compact way to create a full person sized Holographic Illusion.

One advantage of this set up is that the unwanted secondary image that spills through the HoloNet surface is projected towards the side walls of the system. By covering the side walls and the floor it is possible to reduce the these unwanted artifacts so much that they are effectively unnoticeable. The net effect is the fact that we can place the talents feet so that they appear to be grounded on the floor. This would normally be a very difficult task for a Projection of this type; which is one of the reasons we have patent pending on this system. We are also developing a less compact version which will only use one projector and so will be more cost effective.

Types of HoloNet.

You may hear us refer to Type B, Type K and Type R Holonet versions.

Type B and Type K

The standard is currently the type K which has slightly more elasticity than some of the earlier incarnations but also has a higher Silver compound application (real Silver Ag) and so is the most reflective in class (including anything we have seen from competitors) this means you will get brighter and more solid imagery from the this product than anything currently on the market. The elasticity makes it slightly more forgiving when handling. Type B is an earlier Silver Ag coated incarnation of our product range that we sometimes advise clients to use, These two varieties are available in heights up to 6.5m and widths that are long./ very long. All of the examples above are with HoloNet type B or K.

Type R HoloNet

Type R HoloNet is specifically designed for Rear projection but is only available in smaller widths i.e. less than 3m wide. It has more of a translucent structure to allow for the fact that the image is seen on the opposite of the to the viewer and so the structure benefits from allowing light through as well as refracting around the structural fibres. There are sometimes reasons why this set up is best but it is not a very common selection.

The set up needs to be planned with a lot more precision owing to the fact that the image is resolved between the audience and the projector so the set up will naturally mean the audience can be looking straight into a projectors lens; and since the HoloNet has more holes than structure you are effectively looking straight into the lens of the high powered projector. You can set up so that the secondary image falls above the audiences head and for short engagements this can be both safe in terms of not projecting strait into peoples eyes but also effective. However eventually when someone looks up and sees the image in the ceiling above them they figure out how the illusion is done. With ordinary rear projection screens there are ways to overcome the images corner to centre brightness uniformity e.g. by use of a Fresnel; but with Holo type projection screens it is difficult to overcome this hot-spotting effect and so this material is specially selected and produced to minimise this hot-spotting issue.

The following test was performed using HoloNet Type R.

Test in a Jail museum in Eire.

The 4ft image of a man (2/3rd scale) on the first floor balcony in the photo here was a Holographic style floating image that was projected from the rear onto the Type R HoloNet surface. The light levels were above normal for this type of illusions in that they were upto 16,000 lux on an over cast Irish day.

The projector was 17,000 ansi lumen and the lens was a short throw lens.

You can see past the image into the arched area behind and this was more obvious when in attendance rather than in this photo. We do have some short videos but this was pushing the technology capability and affordability curve very hard so is not a popular solution. If you think it might be useful we can discuss just call or email hello@interestingav.com

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