Electric Picture Display Systems — a simulation integrator serving the Seafarers International Union, American Maritime Officers, and the Panama Canal Authority — has standardized on Scalable Display Technologies for edge blending and warping across maritime simulation installations ranging from training labs to 75-projector naval base systems.
Electric Picture Display Systems has been engineering and installing projection systems for simulation, virtual reality, and professional AV environments since 2003. The company's primary focus is maritime simulation — providing state-of-the-art visual display systems for watercraft operator and engineer training, marine deck and engineering officer programs, cargo handling, and operations crew instruction.
Maritime simulation removes the need to launch vessels from the dock for hands-on training. Instructors can place mariners at simulated ports, present real-time scenarios before crew members arrive in a specific area, and simulate unexpected technical failures or environmental threats to teach adaptation under pressure. The fidelity of the visual system is central to that training effectiveness.
"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. "Recently, we completed simulation projects for the Seafarers International Union in Piney Point, Maryland, and the STAR Center for the American Maritime Officers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We're in the midst of a unique project for the Panama Canal Authority, which will be completed later this year. 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, FL."
Maritime simulators typically use cylindrical and spherical display configurations — selected based on the visual field requirements of each training scenario. The curved geometry of these displays makes edge blending a fundamental technical requirement; without it, the seams between projectors are immediately visible and break the immersion that effective training depends on.
Since 2012, Electric Picture has relied on Scalable Display Manager as its standard edge blending and warping solution across all maritime simulation installations.
"Scalable is our go-to solution for edge-blending and warping because of the reliability and customer support," explained Higgins. "Scalable does not require any third-party hardware. Other manufacturers create blend and warp hardware boxes, and although that has declined in recent years, 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."
For Higgins, the technical quality of Scalable's output is the defining differentiator — particularly in training environments where display accuracy has a direct impact on training outcomes.
"Scalable's blend zones are unparalleled," Higgins said. "Prior to working with Scalable, we had worked with other companies to blend and warp. 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."
The scale of Electric Picture's installations ranges considerably. At the largest end, a single installation at a naval base in San Diego involves 75 projectors — a scope that demands not just reliable software but expert on-site support.
"Scalable's customer service is first-rate," Higgins noted. "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. We have one project in San Diego with 75 projectors. It's an enormous undertaking and it requires a lot of blending and warping. We know that their technicians will ensure the project is completed seamlessly and beautifully. 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."
Higgins added a broader perspective on where projection sits in the simulation market today — and why Scalable's continued investment in the technology matters to integrators like Electric Picture.
"Scalable is at the forefront of simulation technology. 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. Many companies have transitioned their focus away from projection, but Scalable Display continues to invest in the technology, and they have become a leader in projection edge-blending and warping technology."
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