OBS Studio is not projection mapping software, but it is an excellent live-source hub. It can combine webcams, capture cards, browser sources, media files, screen captures and graphics into one scene. The mapping application can then take that finished live scene, warp it to the physical surface and send it to the projector.
- Use Spout when OBS and the mapper are on the same Windows GPU/computer and you want the lightest local video path.
- Use NDI when the source and mapping application are on different machines or you need network routing.
- Keep mapping geometry in the mapper—not in OBS—so content changes do not break the physical alignment.
- Match canvas/frame rates where practical to reduce unnecessary conversion.
Recommended signal flow
A clean architecture looks like this:
Camera / capture / browser / media → OBS → Spout or NDI → HoloMapper → projector
OBS handles source composition. HoloMapper handles the physical surfaces, mesh warping, layer geometry and final projector output. This separation makes the project easier to maintain because you can change an OBS scene without remapping the wall.
OBS → Spout → HoloMapper on Windows
Spout is designed for ultra-fast real-time video sharing between Windows applications using the GPU. OBS does not include Spout output in a default installation, so a compatible Spout plugin is required. A popular OBS community plugin provides bidirectional Spout sharing.
- Install a current OBS-compatible Spout plugin from a trusted source.
- Create your OBS scene at the output resolution you want to share.
- Enable the plugin’s Spout output and give the sender a recognizable name.
- In HoloMapper, add/select a Spout input source.
- Select the OBS Spout sender.
- Map that live source onto one or more surfaces.
This is a strong same-machine workflow because it avoids sending compressed video through a network stack.
OBS → NDI → HoloMapper over a network
NDI is an IP video-connectivity standard designed to move low-latency video, audio and metadata across networks. With an appropriate NDI output plugin or NDI-enabled OBS build/workflow, the OBS scene can become a network source that HoloMapper receives on another computer.
This is useful when the capture computer is near the camera but the mapping computer is near the projector, or when several devices need access to the same live feed.
Send HoloMapper output back into OBS
HoloMapper supports Spout and NDI output as well as input. That means the direction can be reversed:
HoloMapper mapped output → Spout/NDI → OBS → recording/streaming
This is useful when you want to record the mapped composition, include it in a livestream, or combine the HoloMapper output with overlays and other broadcast elements.
For choosing between the two protocols, see NDI vs Spout for projection mapping.
Performance tips
- Use the same GPU for OBS and HoloMapper when using Spout if possible.
- Avoid unnecessarily huge OBS canvases.
- Match frame rate between source and destination when practical.
- For NDI, use wired Ethernet for important shows instead of congested Wi-Fi.
- Test the complete pipeline for dropped frames before the audience arrives.
- Keep a simple fallback media file available in HoloMapper if the live source fails.
Troubleshooting OBS projection mapping workflows
The Spout sender does not appear
Confirm the OBS plugin is installed, the sender is enabled, and both applications are running on compatible GPUs. Laptop hybrid-GPU configurations can complicate shared textures.
NDI source is missing
Confirm both machines are on the same reachable network, the sender is active, and firewall/network isolation is not blocking discovery or traffic.
The image looks stretched
Check OBS canvas/output resolution and the aspect settings on the HoloMapper surface. HoloMapper’s Auto Aspect tools can help match media proportions.
Frequently asked questions
Can OBS do projection mapping by itself?
OBS can compose and output video, but it is not a dedicated surface-warping/mapping application. Use OBS as the source hub and a mapper such as HoloMapper for geometry.
Is Spout or NDI better for OBS projection mapping?
Spout is usually the most direct choice for same-Windows-computer sharing. NDI is more flexible across a network and between machines.
Can I record HoloMapper in OBS?
Yes. HoloMapper can send output through Spout or NDI, which OBS can receive with the appropriate plugin/workflow.
Sources and further reading
Product capabilities and platform notes can change. These official or primary sources are useful for checking current details:
