Disguise’s latest EX 2C server powers The Hidden Forest

Disguise VX 3, RX II and EX 2C helped TOEI TECHNO INTERNATIONAL Inc. deliver a one-of-a-kind experience of Singapore’s botanical garden. 

The concept

The Hidden Forest is an interactive digital-art projection mapping exhibition at the award-winning Gardens by the Bay, inside the cooled conservatory, in Cloud Forest. Powered by Disguise, this collaboration is a first of its kind between Naked and Gardens by the Bay, offering audiences a unique, immersive experience within the garden. 

'The project works in tandem with the actual plant exhibition to provide a fusion of real and virtual experiences.” says Shoichi Ishida, System integrator and Programmer for TOEI TECHNO INTERNATIONAL Inc.  “Combining projection mapping and interactive art, visitors can experience the symbiotic relationship between plants and animals by directly touching the artworks.”

A streamlined system sets up the installation for success

The projection mapping exhibition takes place on two floors—3F and 4F—each with its own independent system. On 4F, interactive content is generated in real-time with Unity and Touch Designer within Disguise RX II, and sent out from a Disguise VX 3 server via NDI. 

3F’s interactive content is generated in real time with TouchDesigner within Disguise’s  EX 2C server. “Two layers are also played back simultaneously to achieve high performance, and a laser scanner is then used as the sensor,” says Ishida.

4F Exhibition

3F Exhibition

Accurate projector control and mapping

While the project involved a simple system structure, there were some technical challenges. The project required multiple projectors to be controlled in batches to accurately map uneven wall surfaces, with 11 projectors on the 4th floor and seven on the 3rd floor, to seamlessly achieve precise mapping on complex wall geometries.  A 3D model of the venue was imported into Designer for highly accurate simulation during the design phase, which improved efficiency on site. The Disguise media server could efficiently control multiple projectors as well keeping up with the many changes and adjustments that occurred on site, such as projector moves and additions, uneven wall surfaces and unexpected misalignments.

The results

Disguise’s integrated hardware and software solution, together with its full range of external integration functions, such as TouchDesigner, Unity integration, Disguise API and NDI allowed the team to build a consistent system.

The team also made full use of Disguise's on-site support. “Even during the preliminary system design phase, we were able to get help with the projection size and system design," says Ishida.