Disguise has powered a new video projection show and multimedia theatre experience for one of New York’s most iconic tourist attractions: The Rockefeller Center.
The projection, which was set up by Disguise partner Electrosonic, an award-winning audiovisual and technology services company, features a six-minute video show mapped onto a highly detailed, 10-foot-tall 3D representation of the Center and the surrounding New York skyline. This attraction is now being used to welcome new visitors to the Rock and describe its history more immersively than ever before.
To enable Electrosonic to deliver this projection at such a granular level of detail, Disguise developed an update to its unique camera-based projector calibration system, OmniCal, called RigCheck API. The RigCheck API update enables AV teams to complete calibrations from a third-party show controller without having to access Disguise’s Designer software, ensuring imagery can be projected onto complex architectural structures in minutes, rather than days of disruptive, in-house mapping.
“When we improved the OmniCal workflow, specifically the RigCheck API, we wanted to ensure the calibration process would be as smooth, repeatable, and reliable as possible,” explained Shae Langley, Head of Location-Based Experiences (LBX) at Disguise.
Meanwhile, the Disguise team also improved the usability of OmniCal. This included detecting if the OmniCal cameras – which are used to map the distance between objects – are out of focus. A user can define the thresholds when creating a simulated camera plan, and these can be checked against during the RigCheck. This allows much more precision in 3D modeling, as video content can be seamlessly mapped onto structures of any shape or size – creating a far more immersive experience for guests.
“We’re excited to see OmniCal continue to be used to harness the power of projection-mapping techniques across both LBX and on live shows around the world,” explained Langley. “This development has allowed Disguise to take an existing workflow and simplify it, so that our users can continue to push the level of detail and scale on 3D projection mapping canvases and complex geometric shapes, while being assured of accuracy and ease of use.”
As well as the six-minute projection show of the Rock, Disguise powers the multimedia theatre experience within the Rockefeller visitor center. This is a five-minute immersive audio-visual media show that showcases the history of New York City, using a combination of archival footage and animation.
This new immersive theatre experience is powered by Disguise’s EX 3 media servers, which specialise in pixel-perfect video playback on architecture and installations. The use of the high-powered servers allows for high-definition display, as well as a spatial audio-surround system to create an immersive, multisensory experience.
“In addition to an incredible creative design, we knew we needed a robust technical solution to ensure the projection model could run smoothly for up to 15 hours a day,” said Phil Hettema, Founder and CEO of THG Creative.
“Disguise worked with us to develop a custom auto-calibration solution for the model, overcoming several technical challenges. Their expertise was critical for the model’s ongoing performance. Thanks to their collaboration, we successfully launched a visually captivating and operationally reliable feature in the Welcome Gallery, orienting guests to the entire Rockefeller Center complex.”
