Computer display configuration

Here are a few tips on how to properly configure your computer for a successful mapping. These are important things to plan for but don't worry, all this only takes a few minutes at the most!

Display settings

You need to set up your display settings as “Extended” and not “Mirrored” or “Duplicated”, so that you can work on HeavyM on your computer screen and see your mapping in the output of your projector independently.

 

Windows

If you are a Windows user, right-click on an empty area on your desktop screen and select “Display settings”. Scroll down to the “Multiple screens” section, select “Extend these displays” in the drop-down menu and confirm your choice.

Note: you can also quickly switch between display modes using the shortcut [⊞ Win + P].

 

Mac OS

If you are a Mac user, you need to go to System preferences → Displays → Arrangement and untick “Mirror Displays”.

This option is available via right-click or by dragging a display while holding [Option]. On earlier macOS versions it can also appear at the bottom of the window.

Note: the Arrangement tab only appears if a second display is plugged in!
 

⚠️ Possible issues on earlier macOS / HeavyM versions

• If a menu bar sticks to the top of your projection display, make sure “Displays have separate Spaces” is unticked under System Preferences → Mission Control. If it is not, uncheck it (requires logout).
  This is most likely to happen if you are running a macOS version older than 15 (Sequoia).
  
• If you encounter other types of issues, try changing the state of “Displays have separate Spaces” under System Preferences → Desktop & Dock → Mission Control (requires logout). 
  This can happen if you are running a version prior to HeavyM 2.14.3 on macOS 15+. (Most likely you will have to check the option).
  

Note: if you still get issues after changing the settings, try turning your computer on and off again. (No we're not joking, it really works!)

Power settings

Plan your computer’s power settings and set up its sleep mode parameters to make sure your mapping doesn’t stop if your computer goes into energy saving mode.

Desktop background

Anticipate and pay attention to the background picture. If a window closes, it is better to have a plain black background picture, both to preserve your audience’s eyes and to avoid showing everyone a family picture!