Disguise Designer vs Zero Density Reality
Disguise Designer
disguise.oneZero Density Reality
zerodensity.ioSide by side
| Figure | Disguise Designer | Zero Density Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $125/mo | $407.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 5 |
| Spec score · Virtual Production Software | 8.4 (#3) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Founded | 2010 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Amstelveen, Netherlands |
| Purpose | Designer creates a digital replica of a production environment for designing, visualising, sequencing, and controlling content. | Reality 5 is a real-time graphics platform for virtual studios, augmented reality, extended reality, on-air graphics, and videowall production. |
| Support | Disguise directs technical questions to [email protected] and lists technical support phone numbers for the UK, US, and Hong Kong. | Paid shop bundles include unlimited ticket support through the Zero Density Shop Dashboard, while Open Studio licenses do not include support unless purchased separately. |
Plans
Disguise Designer
- Designer StarterFree
- Designer Pro$159 a month
- Designer Pro$1,500 a year
Zero Density Reality
- Open Studio License ProgramFree
- Reality 5 On-Air Graphics Bundle$4,888 a year
- Reality 5 Designer Bundle$8,067 a year
- Reality 5 Backdrop Virtual Studio Bundle$14,867 a year
- Reality 5 Augmented Reality Bundle$16,992 a year
In their own words
Disguise Designer
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.
Zero Density Reality
Zero Density Reality 5 is a real-time graphics platform for virtual studios, augmented and extended reality, on-air graphics, and videowall production. Its workflow brings together Unreal Engine ZD Version, NODOS, and Reality Hub for content creation, compositing, and live playout. NODOS processes real-time video I/O and logic in a node-based compositor separate from Unreal Engine. Reality Hub provides browser-based control; shop bundles specify Chrome or Edge on a modern computer without a client installation. The Lino workflow lets designers create a graphic template for use across shows and channels. Reality Hub can ingest data from web services, databases, XLSX files, and CSV files, and the platform supports newsroom, automation, and custom integrations. NODOS lists support for FreeD, Xync, Mo-Sys, Stype, and Telemetrics tracking protocols. The Open Studio License Program offers no-cost access to eligible applicants, subject to approval and conditions. Paid bundles include the On-Air Graphics option at $4,888 a year and the Augmented Reality option at $16,992 a year; bundle capabilities vary. The platform lists Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support.