def _get_projection(cls, obj):
        """
        Uses traversal to find the appropriate projection
        for a nested object. Respects projections set on
        Overlays before considering Element based settings,
        before finally looking up the default projection on
        the plot type. If more than one non-None projection
        type is found an exception is raised.
        """
        isoverlay = lambda x: isinstance(x, CompositeOverlay)
        element3d = obj.traverse(lambda x: x, [Element3D])
        if element3d:
            return '3d'
        opts = cls._traverse_options(obj, 'plot', ['projection'],
                                     [CompositeOverlay, Element],
                                     keyfn=isoverlay)
        from_overlay = not all(p is None for p in opts[True]['projection'])
        projections = opts[from_overlay]['projection']
        custom_projs = [p for p in projections if p is not None]
        if len(set(custom_projs)) > 1:
            raise Exception("An axis may only be assigned one projection type")
        return custom_projs[0] if custom_projs else None