Warp and Blend are interfaces exposed in NVAPI for warping (image geometry corrections) and blending (intensity and black level adjustment) a single display output or multiple display outputs
Our AdVis 2.1 has built in edge blending and edge overlap. There are many solutions out there to create seamless displays by overlapping projector images and blending the edges, however, these features only appear on the most expensive projectors or can be created using very expensive hardware solutions. Epson Projector Professional Tool Software makes it easy to manage multiple Epson networked projectors. It offers powerful projection features including geometric correction and Edge Blending. And, its intuitive software automatically finds and displays all projectors on the network. The software makes adjustments easy too ― no need to figure things out using the remote control.
Many display applications benefit from combining multiple projectors or displays into one larger display surface. If all the displays are aligned in a grid with no overlap, features like Mosaic make it easy to create a single unified display from multiple physical displays. When the displays are rotated at odd angles or the display surface is an irregular shape, multiple projectors need to overlap, blend together and be mapped or adjusted to the display surface. The Warp and Blend SDK provides an easy way to bring this functionality to any application with minimal performance impact and no incremental latency.
In the example above both warp and blend are used to achieve a seamless, blended picture from two projectors illuminating a curved screen. A standard practice when using multiple projectors is to overlap the seams where each projected image touches another. Since optics and screens are never perfect and overlapping can create hotspots (regions gets twice amount of light) blend is used to adjust the intensity of the overlapping region. Warp is used to modify geometry so that it matches the curve of the projection wall.
Traditionally, warp and blend operations are done with custom hardware using features built into the projector or with direct modifications to an application. The Warp and Blend SDK provides an easy way to bring this functionality to any application with minimal performance impact and no incremental latency.
Warp and Blend is part of NVAPI
NVAPI is NVIDIA's core software development kit that allows direct access to NVIDIA GPUs on windows platforms. Warp and blend is implemented as an interface in NVAPI that programmably exposes warping and intensity adjustment features before the final scanout. Working in conjunction with a supported NVIDIA Display Driver, the warp and blend features works on a single screen, multiple screens and multi-gpu configurations and are available only with NVIDIA Quadro GPUs.
Learn more about NVAPI.
Learn more about NVAPI.
Download Warp and Blend Sample
Download the Warp and Blend programming sample package to get started developing with warp and blend and NVAPI. To download, you must be a member of NVIDIA Developer - DesignWorks.
By clicking the 'Agree & Download' button below, you are confirming that you have read and agree to be bound by the SOFTWARE DEVELOPER KITS, SAMPLES AND TOOLS LICENSE AGREEMENT for use of the SDK package. The download will begin immediately after clicking on the 'Agree & Download' button below.
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Key Features
- Generate a seamless image on up to 16 displays or projectors with warp and blend using NVIDIA Mosaic Technologies and NVIDIA Quadro Sync (ability to synchronize up to four Quadro GPUs per system).
- Apply warping to any scenario that requires image geometry corrections such as rotation, skew, mirroring, offset, and geometry mapping.
- Adjust intensity and black level in portions of a screen, every pixel if desired.
- Minimal performance impact and no incremental latency.
- Works in single screen, multiple screens and multi-gpu configurations.
Operating System | Windows 7, 8, 10, Server 2008R2, Server 2012 |
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Dependencies | NVIDIA Quadro 1200 class or higher products with Fermi, Kepler, Maxwell or newer GPUs NVS 810 & 510 Windows Quadro Display drivers 302.82 or newer |
Why do Warp and Blend on the GPU?
Traditionally, warp and blend is integrated into the projector or done using custom hardware appliances which adds performance delay to the display pipeline. It can also be done using software applications but that may not conform to all use cases. Since the pixel information is already available to the GPU, the GPU is the natural place to do this work. GPUs also bring additional benefits to warp and blend:
- GPUs are inherently parallel for fast image processing operations
- Ability to perform transformation in the display pipeline before the pixel get scanned out
- Minimal performance delay to display pipeline compared to external boxes using FPGAs
- Cost effective and easily scalable
Warp and Blend In Action
Immersive VR using a domed screen
The Operational Based vision Assessment (OBVA) Simulator at NASA.
Image courtesy of NASA
Image courtesy of NASA
Projection mapping onto scale physical models
A 1:5 scale, blank canvas model car with car’s features projected onto the surface of the model to replicate a photo-real, physical object for real-time interaction and customization.
Image courtesy of Christie Digital
Image courtesy of Christie Digital
Simulator environment with large curved front displays
The PanoLab is a wide-area high realistic projection system for interactive presentations of virtual environments. The half-spherical screen of PanoLab allows the simulation of large visual fields providing an increased degree of immersion. The PanoLab was calibrated using nWarp, part of the ProjectionTools automatic calibration system from domeprojections.com
Image courtesy of Joachim Tesch. Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics.
Image courtesy of Joachim Tesch. Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics.
Multi-projection display walls
Using a matrix of projections projected to a single screen to present a seamless large scale, single image.
Developer Forums
Our forum community is where Developers can ask questions, share experiences and participate in discussions with NVIDIA and other experts in the field.
Check out the forums here.
Check out the forums here.
Resources
Warp and Blend Presentations
S3114 - Using Warp and Blend API in Distributed and Single Renderer's
Update on Warping Standards
Video
Update on Warping Standards
Video
S2322 - Warping and Blending for Multi-Display Systems
Video Presentation
Video Presentation
S4452 - Mid-Tier VR: Cost Reducing the Cave by Embracing the GPU
Video Presentation
Video Presentation
SIG4113 - See the Big Picture: Scalable Visualization Solutions for High Resolution Displays
Video Presentation
Video Presentation
Additional Resources
- NVAPI Software Development Kit (Windows only)
- NVAPI Documentation (PDF)
The Multi-Screen Support System optimally adjusts multiple screens: Edge blending, Color matching and Digital image enlarging.
Edge Blending
The edges of adjacent screens can be blended and their luminance controlled.
Color Matching
This function corrects for slight variations in the color reproduction range of individual projectors.
The PC software assures easy, accurate control.
The PC software assures easy, accurate control.
Digital Image Enlarging
The PT-RZ670 Series features a digital zoom function that allows images to be enlarged up to 10 times (horizontally and vertically).* Up to 100 units (10 x 10) can be edge-blended at a time to create large, multi-screen images.
* While the input resolution will not change, maintaining image quality will not be possible for those images that are enlarged horizontally and vertically via the digital zoom function.
The Backup Input Setting allows the signal to be switched to the backup input signal as seamlessly as possible when the input signal is disrupted.*
This function ensures high reliability and is ideal for critical control rooms, projection mapping, staging, and other applications where images should not be interrupted.
This function ensures high reliability and is ideal for critical control rooms, projection mapping, staging, and other applications where images should not be interrupted.
* The combination of the primary/secondary input terminals is fixed. Use the combination of DVI-D (primary) and HDMI (secondary) terminals. The Backup Input Setting is enabled only when the input signal to the primary and secondary terminals is the same.
Note: Please contact your sales representative for information on the Backup Input Setting.
(Contact Information)
(Contact Information)
If the main signal is disrupted,
the image is simply cut off.
the image is simply cut off.
Even if the main signal is disrupted, the back-up signal appears as seamlessly as possible.
This function automatically corrects the brightness fluctuations that occur over time in the individual projectors of a
multi-screen system. Up to eight projectors can be controlled by connecting to each other via a hub, and this can be increased to a maximum of 2,048 projectors by using “Multi Projector Monitoring & Control Software.”
multi-screen system. Up to eight projectors can be controlled by connecting to each other via a hub, and this can be increased to a maximum of 2,048 projectors by using “Multi Projector Monitoring & Control Software.”
By using built-in brightness and color sensors, the PT-RZ670 Series automatically maintains brightness,
high contrast and color uniformity.
Excellent picture quality is maintained for a long time, and a variety of professional applications are possible.
high contrast and color uniformity.
Excellent picture quality is maintained for a long time, and a variety of professional applications are possible.
With the PT-RZ670 Series, projection is possible in any direction vertically and horizontally, and the unit can be rotated 360 degrees for installation at any angle.
The wide adjustment range of the powered horizontal/vertical lens shift* function assures convenience and versatility during installation. It lets you easily make adjustments with the remote control.
The wide adjustment range of the powered horizontal/vertical lens shift* function assures convenience and versatility during installation. It lets you easily make adjustments with the remote control.
Omnidirectional Installation Capability
* Optical axis shift cannot be operated with the ET-DLE055, and the optical axis is fixed with the ET-DLE030.
This function adjusts the image for projection onto spherical, cylindrical and other specially shaped screens. You can make the adjustment easily using only the remote control, with no external equipment needed and also, up to three sets of adjusted data can be stored as PC1, PC2 and PC3.
New 4-Corner Adjustment and Keep Aspect Off functions also simplify fine adjustment.
New 4-Corner Adjustment and Keep Aspect Off functions also simplify fine adjustment.
Each corner can be independently adjusted.
You can keep the aspect on when correcting curves. To make effective use of the screen area, you can also turn the aspect-keeping function off.
Note: Advanced skills are necessary to use a computer to control geometric adjustment. Consult your dealer.
The Geometry Manager Pro software offers a more flexible and complex geometric adjustment capability, and supports color matching and edge blending for multi-screen projection. It also makes adjustments for multiple projectors fast and easy over a network.
* For more details on the Geometry Manager Pro software and optional upgrade kits, please visit the above website.
Optional ET-UK20 Upgrade Kit Featuring Geometry Manager Pro (PT-RZ670)
This plug-in software for Geometry Manager Pro enables creative masking using four lines and/or bitmap data, uniformity correction, and other useful functions.
ET-UK20 | |
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Supported Projectors | PT-RZ670 |
Connection | LAN / RS232C |
OS | Windows® 7 / Windows® 8 / Windows® 8.1 |
Number of Projectors | 32 sets (ver.1.xx) / 64 sets (ver.2.0 or later) |
Key Functions | - Geometric Adjustment - Edge Blending - Masking - Uniformity Control - Multi PJ / Screen Pro Adjusting Software |
Activation Method | - Get the Activation code through 'PASS' System |
Masking Function
Set masking by line.
Use it to overlap the projection image.
The image is projected only in the designated areas.
Create masking data.
Use it to overlap the projection image.
The image is projected only in the designated areas.
* Detailed masking is also possible with an image of up to 1,920 by 1,200 pixels.
Optional ET-CUK10* Auto Screen Adjustment Upgrade Kit (PT-RZ670)
The ET-CUK10 Auto Screen Adjustment Upgrade kit activates the Auto Screen Adjustment plug-in software. This plug-in software for Geometry Manager Pro sets up multiple projectors automatically and simultaneously, greatly saving installation time and costs. It takes only three quick and simple steps. By using a camera** together with a PC connected to the projectors via a network, this software calibrates and adjusts multi-screen or curved-screen projection. Adjustments include geometric adjustment, edge blending, color matching, stacking, brightness, and black level.
* Available for use worldwide except in the United States. Updates of projector firmware and Geometry Manager Pro software are required.
** Supported cameras are Nikon D5200/D5300 or successor models.
The laser light source does not require time to warm up, so the image appears almost instantly with the PT-RZ670 Series projectors.*
There’s also no cooling time required when turning the power off,* so you can quickly turn the projector on and off as many times as needed.
There’s also no cooling time required when turning the power off,* so you can quickly turn the projector on and off as many times as needed.
* The Quick Start/OFF feature is possible by updating the projector's
firmware to MAIN Ver. 1.10 or later.
firmware to MAIN Ver. 1.10 or later.
Maximum brightness is reached as soon as the
light source goes on.
light source goes on.
Firmware Update Required
The Quick Start/OFF feature is possible by updating the projector's firmware to MAIN Ver. 1.10 or later. When the main version of the firmware is lower than 1.10, access the latest firmware version information page on PASS to download the latest upgrade tool.
Note: To check the firmware version, press the <STATUS> button on the remote control. The [MAIN VERSION] of the firmware can be checked on the [STATUS] menu screen.
Note: Please contact your sales representative for information on the Quick Start/OFF feature. (Contact Information)
Choose from a wide lineup of lenses for your system, including long-throw zoom lenses and a ultra-short-throw lens for rear projection use.
The additional lenses make it easy to adapt your projector to the installation site. The lenses attach and detach with one-touch ease.
The additional lenses make it easy to adapt your projector to the installation site. The lenses attach and detach with one-touch ease.
The ET-DLE030 ultra-short-throw lens enables 100-inch projection from a distance of 0.82 m (2.7 ft). This is a powerful solution for the hassles of installation in narrow spaces.
Requires sufficient airflow space around the projector. This throw distance shows the case
of the PT-RZ670.
of the PT-RZ670.
For example, promotional images can be projected even in the narrow space of a retail store showcase, where image projection is not possible with a general-purpose lens.
NOTE: The usage examples shown above are simulated images.
In actual installation, a predetermined amount of space must be provided around the projector.
In actual installation, a predetermined amount of space must be provided around the projector.