Disguise Designer vs SMODE

Disguise Designer creates a digital replica of a production environment for planning, visualising, sequencing, and controlling content. It supports pitch creation, camera fly-throughs, content validation, technical setup testing, and experience design. Its real-time 3D visualiser can represent productions in different codecs, resolutions, and colour spaces. Content mapping covers shaped LED screens, projectors, UV mapping, dynamic blends, and large projection canvases. Playback supports formats including NotchLC, ProRes, HAP, uncompressed codecs, image sequences, and local or remote HTML5 content. RenderStream integrates with Unreal Engine, Notch, Unity, TouchDesigner, and Volinga NeRFs. Multi-Edit enables simultaneous project editing, while Multi-Transport can run multiple timelines in response to external cues. Control options include DMX, SMPTE timecode, MIDI, OSC, FreeD, and named tracking systems. A free Starter plan supports learning, training, testing, and project development without connecting to Disguise servers; Pro costs $159/month. The user guide specifies 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 and DirectX 11.

SMODE is a Windows platform for real-time visual compositing and media serving at shows and installations. It combines 2D and 3D compositing with video mapping, stage simulation, animation, and video export. Smode Live adds playback and editing tools for live operation, with support for DMX, Art-Net, sACN, LTC/MTC inputs, and people tracking systems. It can capture or output video through Deltacast and Blackmagic cards. The Community edition lists ISF and ShaderToy shaders, Substance, Python scripting, MIDI, OSC, NDI, and Spout integrations; camera tracking, LED-stage and greenscreen workflows, and live compositing are also supported. The free Community license is non-commercial and includes Full HD input, output, content, and export without watermarks. Smode Compose FHD costs €300 a year, excluding VAT, and includes commercial use and 4K video export. The FAQ specifies Microsoft 64-bit operating systems, at least Windows 10 version 18h3, and says licensing is not designed for virtual machines.