instructables

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything

by seanhodgins

What do you do when you can't decide what you want to be for Halloween? Be everything. The projection mask is
comprised of a white 3D printed mask, a raspberry pi, a tiny projector and a battery pack. It is capable of projecting
anything and everything onto your face. I will demonstrate some of the cool effects in my video, but I encourage
you to try and come up with some of your own.

Supplies:
Electronics

Raspberry Pi Zero W - Adafruit

DLP LightCrafter Display 2000 - Digikey
Custom PCB - PCBWay
Anker 10AH Battery Pack - Amazon (Affiliate)
USB A to Barrel Jack 5.5mm x 2.1mm - Amazon(Affiliate)
40mm Fan - Amazon(Affiliate)
PCB Electronics Parts BOM - FindChips.com

Hardware

M3 x 8mm Hex Socket Cap - McMasterCarr

M3 x 6mm Hex Socket Cap - McMasterCarr
M3 Plastic Heat Set Threaded Inserts - McMasterCarr
#10 Wood Screw 3/4" - McMasterCarr
M2.5 x 6mm Machine Screw - McMasterCarr
Welder Head Mount - Amazon (Affiliate)
Binding Barrel Screws - McMasterCarr
1/2" Square Wooden Dowel - Local Hardware Store
Black Matte Paint for wood and plastic.
Black Hoodie

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 1

Step 1: Watch the Video!

https://youtu.be/WefSub8qesQ

Step 2: Start With 3D Printing

These prints will take a long time. Get a"head" start
by printing them while you do other things.
The files are located on Thingiverse here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3941007
You can print the 4 files in one go, then print the
mask on its own. Print the mask in white, which will
save you from having to paint it. You will have to
paint the other parts black because of the 1/2"
wooden square dowel.
If you're really fancy you could sand the front of the
mask and add matte white paint. I didn't do this but it
would smooth out the print lines.

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 2

Step 3: Install Heat Set Screws in 3D Prints

There are two M3 threaded inserts in the chin mount, and 6 in the projector mount, see photos.

The ones in the chin will go in the side facing your chin, this will greatly increase they're strength. Make sure they
are very straight as the screws will be going in from the other side through the printed part and into the threaded
insert. This ensures they cannot be pulled out through the part.

Step 4: Cut Wooden Dowel

The wooden dowel needs to be cut to 420mm ish. Not a super critical dimension.

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 3

Step 5: Assemble and Paint

Test fit everything together and make sure everything is going to work. The front of the face mount and the front of
the pi mount is ~360mm apart. Screw them down to the dowel in the screw location in the print. Then remove the
mask and paint the other things all together with matte black paint. Paint the screws and all. You want it to be as
invisible as possible.

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 4

Step 6: Setting Up Head Mount
The welding helmet mount was a perfect solution to
hold this mask. So much so that I will definitely be
using more for future projects.
The 3D print for the mask already has holes for where
it needs to mount, but the head band doesn't. While
you hold the mask in the correct location on your
face, have someone mark the spot on the headband.
You will need to drill holes here to allow it to mount. I
also cut off the small tabs to hold the soft fabric(that
Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 5
sits on your forehead) to give more clearance for the
mask. I was able to use double sided tape to wrap it
back on.
When you have the mask fully assembled, you may
need to put some foam on the mask lower mount.
Mine rests on my chin for support, and it can hurt
after awhile.
Step 7: Solder the PCB, Assemble.
There isn't a lot to do on the circuit board. Two 46 Pin
headers for the projector, 40 pin header for the pi, fan
header, 2N7002 mosfet, and a the 10K resistor.
As I mentioned in the video. I didn't solder the
components to monitor the 5V line to the pi. I just
jumped from Projector 5V to the pi 5V line. See
image.
Once everything is soldered together you can just
plug in all of the headers together. *You need to
bend pin 43 on the projector, it is mistakenly
ground on the custom board* If not it tells the
projector to remain off. Won't hurt anything if you
Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 6
accidentally don't. Just will not have any output from
the projector.
The pcb and pi will mount to the projector, and be
sandwiched between them with screws from the
outside of the housing into the projector standoffs.
If using a fan, you will need to plug the right angle
connector before you plug the fan in. I don't believe
the fan is really necessary. The fan is also just friction
fit, I used the wire from the fan to give a little more
pressure, and to use less of the wire.
Step 8: Setting Up the Pi

I found all of the information needed to get the sideways.

projector working on the pi at this website.
http://frederickvandenbosch.be/?p=2948 - It explains See image.
what needs to be done to the pi config file, and gives
more information on the projector in general, worth a In order to play videos you will need to have
read if you're going to do this project. OMXPlayer installed.

As mentioned in the video, you will need to flip the For audio you can use a bluetooth speaker. I didn't
resolutions for width and height since you will be have great results with mine, but I believe it was the
using the pi in portrait mode. You will also need to speaker.
add "display_rotate=1" to get the display to flip

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 7

Step 9: Designing Videos for the Pi

This is a little difficult to explain here, so be sure to to align faces, objects, colours, you name it.
refer to the video.
If you're using images of faces, you need to change
You will need to make videos that fit inside of the the perspective of them to be leaning back, the same
masked area to play them on the mask. I have way the projector is misaligned with the mask.
included the files I used to make my own images.
You can use them in your video production software

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 8

Step 10: Aligning the Projector
Now that you have made a few videos use one of
them to align the face. I've included a video file that
makes it easier to align. There are three screws that
are used for mounting the projector to the stick
mount. This allows you to swivel the projector in
different directions to get it aligned. You make need
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FNZ/4AU9/K29B47K7/FNZ4AU9K29B47K7.mp4
…
Step 11: Playing Videos Easily on the Pi
I will assume you have some knowledge in controlling
a headless pi. Normally to run videos on the pi you
would need to SSH in, and run a command for the
OMX player. I found a solution that works much better
for when you're wearing something you can barely
see out of.
There is an app called "RaspController" for android.
This free app lets you enter in commands you would
normally enter into a terminal, but assign them to
easily pressed buttons. You can explore the app as it
is very intuitive.
The command you need to know to run a video is:
omxplayer path/to/video.mp4 --aspect-mode
stretch
if you want to run the video with a bluetooth speaker
Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 9
to slip in a shim or two to get it to the proper height as
well.
Pro tip, pause the playing video with the "p" key with
OMXPlayer.
Download
then:
omxplayer path/to/video.mp4 -o alsa --aspect-
mode stretch
The "--aspect-mode stretch" is important as it will
make the video perfectly fit the pi projector.
So for example, if I wanted to play my intro video
which is located in ~/Videos/intro.mp4 the command
would be:
omxplayer ~/Videos/intro.mp4 --aspect-mode
stretch
I had a whole bunch of different commands for
different videos so I could play sequences while I was
walking around the Halloween party I was at.
Step 12: Complete the Costume

You will want to put on a dark hoodie of some sort. Make sure the hood is able to go over and around the mask.
Plug in the Pi to the battery pack. Add strain relieve to the wire and wrap a zip tie around it. Put the battery pack
down the collar of the sweater to just hang there.

Done!

Picture of Complete the Costume

Step 13: Now for the Secret

I have setup a secret treasure hunt revolved around the mask. There are a couple of video puzzles that you need
to complete and there is real buried treasure to be found.

The hunt starts at 13thkey.com - that is all of the details I will give so far.

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 10

Step 14: Support These Open Source Projects.

These projects are free and open source. If you like what I do and want to support me, consider becoming a patron
on Patreon.

SeanHodgins on Patreon!

If you enjoy my videos, hit that SUBSCRIBE button! and ring that bell!

youtube.com/seanhodgins

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 11

Face Changing Projection Mask - Be Anything: Page 12