Major OmniCal workflow improvements launch in r32.4

The latest update to our Designer software is here. r32.4 comes with a range of improvements to OmniCal, our camera-based projection calibration system, including new API endpoints for the RigCheck workflow, QuickAlign improvements, and automatic detection of out-of-focus camera lenses.

OmniCal RigCheck API

The RigCheck workflow within OmniCal enables a user to recalibrate and compare live camera images to those from a previous capture to check whether the OmniCal cameras or projection surfaces have moved. 

In long-running installations like museums and themed attractions, those carefully calibrated projectors may shift over time due to environmental vibrations or maintenance. And recalibration can’t always wait for a trained Disguise operator to be on site.

To solve this, the RigCheck API for OmniCal offers a new way to trigger OmniCal recalibrations. This can be set up to be completed either manually or automatically from a third-party system or application.

During system commissioning, an operator can configure the RigCheck API to be triggered automatically at a predefined point in time from a show controller or dedicated application. This is particularly relevant for those who may not have direct experience using Disguise, as the API enables this step to be triggered from a familiar interface.

The RigCheck API was originally developed for the Top of the Rock visitor attraction in New York City, working alongside The Hettema Group (THG), The Fury, PNM Designs, and Electrosonic. The project required a fully automated calibration workflow, one that could run reliably without technical supervision, even with vibrations from the building and heavy foot traffic. By making recalibrations repeatable and easy to manage, the system was able to self-correct without downtime and technical intervention. 

“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. "Disguise worked with us to develop a custom auto-calibration solution, 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."

Other r32.4 updates

• New OmniCal Score: A streamlined metric makes it easy to assess and compare calibration quality across different Plans and RigChecks.
• Advanced Image Diagnostics: New post-capture processes automatically detect out-of-focus camera lenses and identify potential shifting of cameras, projectors, or surfaces by comparing RigCheck blobs against the original Plan.
• QuickAlign Improvements: Usability has been upgraded with a new AlignmentPoint list editor. This provides a clear overview of the current alignment state and allows for rapid point editing, such as easily toggling the “reshape” function.
• Disk Space Management: You can now easily clear old unused RigCheck results directly via the UI or API to free up storage.

The new release also brings other updates to Designer, such as supporting FBX animations loaded from meshes. These can be controlled using the new Scene Animation Layer, which also handles Alembic animations. The new OCIO Layer has also been introduced, enabling users to apply OCIO transforms to generic content.

Download r32.4 today