Mapping — DIA Tools

Typography meets an adjustable field of three-dimensional objects.

Mapping is a browser-based projection experiment in the DIA Tools collection, hosted on Daniel Wenzel’s website. It places editable typography onto arrays of three-dimensional objects using two adjustable mapping cameras. The scene shows the relationship between the text input, projection viewpoints and receiving geometry, with a separate preview of the source lettering. Users can select cubes, spheres, cylinders or toruses, change repetition and spacing, and control object rotation, scale and movement. Camera distance, angle and field of view provide further ways to alter the projection. The default R&D input uses Rand Medium. An editing mode keeps the construction of the scene visible, making the tool useful for exploring how viewpoint changes the reading of type.

Set in Rand Medium

Insights

Two mapping cameras have independent distance, angle and field-of-view controls, so projection can be explored from different positions.
Object selection includes cubes, spheres, cylinders and toruses; repetition and spacing let the same text encounter different arrangements.
The source-text preview and editing-mode camera guides make the relationship between input, projection and surface visible.