Certified Disguise Media Server Training at High Resolution Engineering

Course Overview

Welcome to the premier training program for Disguise media servers and d3 Designer software, hosted by High Resolution Engineering (HRE). Whether you are a freelance programmer, an AV technician, or a technical director, our certified training is designed to give you the exact tools and strategies you need to seamlessly deploy Disguise on your next live or corporate event.

Led by our resident experts like Drew Taylor, this course focuses heavily on real-world applications. Because Disguise operates as an integrated hardware and software solution, we go beyond basic software tutorials. You will gain hands-on experience visualizing 3D stages, programming complex tracks, and configuring multi-server networks—all while learning the best practices we use to build and prep top-tier rental kits for major arenas and ballrooms.

Key Topics Covered

Our training follows a comprehensive, step-by-step outline, ensuring you leave with the confidence to build and operate a show from scratch:

  • Introduction to Disguise & Hardware Ecosystem: Learn the differences between the VX, EX, and GX server ranges, and understand how to navigate the d3 Manager to create and configure projects.
  • Building the 3D Stage Environment: Discover how to navigate the 3D visualizer, add props and venues, and accurately plot physical dimensions for LED walls and blended projection surfaces.
  • Timeline & Track Sequencing: Master the timeline interface. We cover track sectioning, crossfades, building numbered Cue Lists, and utilizing different play modes (Play, Play Section, Loop) for seamless show execution.
  • Layer Management & Composition: Learn how to build looks using Video, Generative, Effects, and Control layers. You will master layer piping for live effects, keying out backgrounds (like green screens), and creating dynamic Picture-in-Picture (PIP) layouts.
  • Surface Mapping Techniques: Understand the core differences and applications of Direct Mapping, Feed Mapping (for distributing PIPs), and Parallel Mapping (for stretching backgrounds across multiple distinct screens).
  • Keyframing for Precision Control: Take your programming to the next level by keyframing object properties, such as opacity fades, custom crop reveals, and even audio volume ducking right on the timeline.
  • Output Feeds & Video Routing: Learn how to configure your Output Feed view, assign content to VFC output cards, emulate EDID to lock in your displays, and manage pixel/population masks for custom LED screen shapes.
  • d3Net & Multi-Server Roles: Scale your shows by networking multiple servers. You will learn to properly configure a Dedicated or Non-Dedicated Director, Actors, and Understudies for secure, synchronized failover environments.
  • External Device Integration: Discover how to integrate live camera inputs, map external audio interfaces (like MOTU), and trigger your timeline via timecode, MIDI, and OSC devices using tools like Companion and Stream Deck.

The HRE Advantage: Train on Real-World Hardware

At High Resolution Engineering, we don’t just teach the software—we supply the gear. Our training is uniquely informed by our extensive rental inventory and prep experience. You’ll learn how to interface the software with the exact hardware setups we ship to live events, including VX4+ and EX3+ media servers, 12G SDI routers, Lightware HDMI 2.0 matrix switchers, and timecode distributors.

What Our Students Are Saying

“I’m feeling great about everything I just learned… everything from layers and integrating PIPs, live inputs, and how to integrate time code into our show… feeling very excited about how to integrate this into all my future endeavors with Disguise!”— Michael Pals

“Drew taught us all about Disguise and d3 strategies to apply in the corporate industry and to our line of work… we had a good amount of take-home from that. Awesome to be a part of that experience!”— Dave Nash

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