Electric Picture Display Systems provides simulation training technology for watercraft operators and engineers, marine deck and engineering officers, cargo handlers and operations crew members. With the latest simulation technology, it’s no longer necessary to launch vessels from the dock to provide hands-on watercraft training for mariners. Maritime simulation offers the ability to place mariners at ports to provide real-time training before they even arrive in the area. Instructors can simulate unexpected threats or technical problems to teach adaptation under challenging circumstances.

Since 2003, Electric Picture has been engineering and installing state-of-the-art projection systems for simulation, virtual reality, network operations centers, corporations, government and religious organizations. “Although we work on a variety of commercial simulation projects, the majority of our business is in maritime simulation,” said R.P. Higgins, president of Electric Picture. “Our projects range from small installations, such as laboratories, to complex projects with multiple screens, each up to 11 channels, which we integrated at Naval Bases in San Diego and Mayport, Florida.”

Depending upon the visual requirements, Electric Picture integrates a mix of cylindrical and spherical simulator displays. The design of the simulation requires Electric Picture to integrate an edge-blending solution. Since 2012, Electric Picture has been working with Scalable Display Technologies, a software that automatically calibrates multiple projectors.

“Scalable is our go-to solution for edge-blending and warping because of the reliability and customer support,” Higgins said. “Scalable does not require any third-party hardware…We prefer Scalable because their software solution connects directly to the graphics card. It only requires a few lines of code to run the software on the content production. It streamlines the technology for our team and our end users.”

Scalable’s software automatically blends and warps multiple projectors into a single seamless display. It allows Electric Picture to reduce installation time, also providing a cost-effective solution. “Scalable’s blend zones are unparalleled,” Higgins said. “Scalable’s multi-channel image is completely seamless. It is painstakingly difficult to blend by hand. We have done it, and it takes forever. With Scalable, the cameras do this automatically within minutes. This is something that used to take hours to blend an image line by line and point by point. Scalable is unique because it can take the information and process it to clean up the image. It’s the image quality of the multi-channel display that separates Scalable from the competitors. The geometric accuracy meets the most stringent tolerances for training and blend zones are undetectable, creating an immersive environment and thus enhancing the effectiveness of the training.”

“Scalable’s customer service is first-rate. Response is critical and they move heaven and earth to support their customers. We typically bring one of their technicians on-site for our larger installations, because the scope of these projects is massive,” Higgins said. “We also incorporate one or two days of training with Scalable’s technicians and the facilities manager. This ensures we have a smooth trade-off of technology. Scalable has significantly improved their software over the last two years making it more user-friendly.”

A proven provider of simulation technology, Electric Picture is continuously integrating cutting-edge technology to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term client relationships. Electric Picture has a long-standing relationship with Scalable because of their investment in design and innovation.

“Scalable is at the forefront of simulation technology,” said Higgins. “Their technology is incredibly interesting. Until we have affordable LEDs that can curve or fit a spherical design, simulators will still rely on projection display.”