After mirroring your screen, now setup projector to have image projecting on to your cutting surface
Here are some tips for some of the most popular projector types and mounts:
Click “Mounts” tab on this page: Projectors and Mounts to see description and links to extension arms, tripods, wall mounts, and ceiling mounts that I recommend for using with mini projectors.
Before setting projector up, turn it on, connect to device/computer, and point it to wall, at distance you will have it at. That will help determine best location for projector if you keep it on while climbing on ladder to see where you need to mount it to have image cast onto cutting surface.
Projector will give best image quality if it is overhead of surface, pointing downwards. With the new projector sewing software tools, it is possible to have projector pointing diagonally, to get larger image, but projector may have hard time focusing across entire image, so you will have to test if that works for you or not.
When setting up permanent mount, use anchors or molly bolts, to secure mount.
If using temporary mount, like a tripod, make sure to have counter weight to keep projector from tipping. Tripods usually have a centre hook – a basket of mugs or totebag of books makes a good counterweight to hang there.
This video has more tips: Sew Clever: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas How to Mount Your Sewing Projector to the Ceiling – YouTube
These projectors need to be setup close to cutting surface, on table, or small riser, or nearby shelf, or stand. Projector can focus up to about 24″ from surface.
To find best location for your projector, raise projector with your hands to see where it needs to be to get image size and location you want.
Orientation of image: Simplest setup is to have projector on long side of mat/table. All projectors have a landscape orientation image, that can’t be changed, but if long side of table doesn’t work to have projector for your setup, it is possible to place projector along short side of mat table. In that case projector will need to be placed higher to cover mode depth of table. The sides of table will fall on floor or table, but that’s OK, when you are projecting pattern, you will scroll PDF to have pieces projected where you need them on your mat/fabric.
Adjust focus with lever behind air intake grill door (there’s also a filter there that should be vacuumed regularly ).
Zoom + – buttons on projector or remote can adjust image size.
Use Menu button on projector or remote to navigate to the following options to help with setup:
- “Reset” settings in the last menu item (access menu with remote, or buttons on projector) – this is helpful to remove any settings from previous user when models are second-hand.
- Use Extended > Image Shift to move image closer or further from projector
- Use Extended > Projection > Projection mode to flip image around. In most cases, Front Upside Down is best setting.
If you want a wireless connection to Epson or any UST, you need to add a casting device like a Chromecast to projector’s HDMI port. More info in Wireless connections to a projector page, and see steps to connect via chromecast are on How to connect projector page. The Epson “wireless module” does not work for our needs for easy screen sharing.
Connecting by HDMI cable is simplest, steps are in this page: How to connect projector.
If screen is blue look at bottom left corner and see what source it is looking for signal.
On a Mac, USB-c (oval port) to HDMI cable adaptors will work. USB-A (Rectangle ports) to HDMI cables/adaptors will not work, instead use Mini display to HDMI cable or adaptor, and plug into thunderbolt port on Mac. More info in: https://bit.ly/pfs-portsguide
There are many different ways to setup a projector, take a look at this short, for some of the portable or fixed setups that work for projector sewing: