Disco Ball

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Overview

• Rotating projection pattern
• Cubemap-based rendering
• Single-channel DMX control (intensity only)
• Distance-scaled projection
• Depth-buffer integration for realistic placement

• DMX Horizontal: VRSL-DMX-Static-DiscoBall-H-1CH.prefab
• DMX Vertical: VRSL-DMX-Static-DiscoBall-V-1CH.prefab
• DMX Legacy: VRSL-DMX-Static-DiscoBall-L-1CH.prefab
• AudioLink: VRSL-AudioLink-DiscoBall.prefab

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DMX Channel Layout

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Features

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Rotation

• Rotation Speed: Configurable via _RotationSpeed shader property
• Direction: Controlled by positive (clockwise) or negative (counterclockwise) values
• Range: -180 to +180 degrees per second
• Default: 8.2 degrees/second

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Projection System

• Cubemap Texture: 6-sided texture mapped to world geometry
• Depth Integration: Respects scene geometry via depth buffer
• Distance Scaling: Projection scales based on distance from disco ball
• World Space: Projection stays consistent regardless of camera position

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Intensity Control

• DMX Control: Channel 1 (0-255)
• Global Intensity: Additional master control (0-1)
• Final Intensity: Maximum brightness limit (0-1)
• Universal Intensity: Additional multiplier

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Inspector Properties

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DMX Settings

enableDMXChannels     // Enable/disable DMX control
dmxChannel            // DMX channel (1-512)
dmxUniverse           // DMX universe (1-9)
nineUniverseMode      // Extended universe mode
useLegacySectorMode   // Legacy sector addressing

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Disco Ball Settings

_RotationSpeed        // Rotation speed (-180 to 180°/sec)
_Multiplier           // Brightness multiplier (0-10)
_Emission             // HDR color tint
_Cube                 // Cubemap texture for projection

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Intensity Settings

_GlobalIntensity      // Master brightness (0-1)
_FinalIntensity       // Maximum brightness limit (0-1)
_UniversalIntensity   // Additional multiplier (0-1)
_GlobalIntensityBlend // Blend between manual and global (0-1)

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Rendering Settings

_UseWorldNorm         // Use world normal vs view normal
_RenderMode           // Transparent or AlphaToCoverage
_ClippingThreshold    // Alpha clipping threshold (0-1)
_BlendDst             // Destination blend mode
_AlphaToCoverage      // Enable alpha to coverage

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Configuration Examples

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Basic Setup

1. Place disco ball prefab in scene
2. Position at desired height (typically ceiling)
3. Configure DMX:
   • DMX Channel: 1
   • DMX Universe: 1
   • Enable DMX Channels: ✓
4. Adjust appearance:
   • Rotation Speed: 8.2 (default)
   • Multiplier: 1.0
   • Emission: White

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Slow Rotation Effect

_RotationSpeed = 3.0      // Slow rotation
_Multiplier = 0.7         // Subtle brightness
_GlobalIntensity = 0.8

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Fast Rotation Effect

_RotationSpeed = 20.0     // Fast rotation
_Multiplier = 1.5         // Boosted brightness
_Emission = Color.white * 1.5  // HDR boost

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Reverse Rotation

_RotationSpeed = -8.2     // Negative for reverse

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Color Tinted Disco Ball

_Emission = new Color(1.0f, 0.5f, 0.8f) * 1.2f  // Pink tint
_Multiplier = 1.2

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Shader Properties

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Key Shader Features

• Samples scene depth buffer
• Projects only on existing geometry
• Respects occlusion automatically
• Mirror-corrected depth calculation

float4 Rotation(float4 vertPos)
{
    float angleY = radians(_Time.y * _RotationSpeed);
    // Rotation matrix applied to projection
}

• Stencil Ref: 142
• Comp: NotEqual
• Prevents rendering on certain surfaces

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Cubemap Texture

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Default Texture

• Pre-made disco ball pattern cubemap
• Simulates mirror ball reflections
• Optimized for performance

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Custom Textures

1. Create/import cubemap texture
2. Set texture type to “Cubemap” in import settings
3. Assign to _Cube property in material
4. Adjust _Multiplier for brightness

• Use 512×512 or 1024×1024 resolution per face
• Enable mipmaps for better performance
• Consider lighting and contrast
• Test rotation to ensure seamless wrapping

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Use Cases

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Dance Floors

• Classic disco atmosphere
• Rotating light patterns on floor and walls
• Combined with colored uplighting
• Synchronized with music (via AudioLink)

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Club Environments

• Ambient background effect
• Ceiling-mounted for wide coverage
• Multiple balls for layered effects
• Colored tints for different moods

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Event Spaces

• Wedding receptions
• Party venues
• Retro-themed environments
• Photobooth backdrops

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Stage Effects

• Concert backgrounds
• Theater productions
• DJ booth accents
• Performance atmospherics

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Performance Optimization

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Disable When Not Needed

// In shader, vertices culled when intensity < 0.05
if(o.dmxIntensity.y <= 0.05 && _EnableDMX == 1)
{
    v.vertex = float4(0,0,0,0);
}

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Limit Coverage Area

• Higher placement = wider coverage (more pixels)
• Lower placement = tighter coverage (fewer pixels)
• Adjust brightness instead of size for performance

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Reduce Brightness Multiplier

_Multiplier = 0.8         // Lower multiplier
_UniversalIntensity = 0.7 // Global reduction

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Troubleshooting

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Disco Ball Not Visible

• Check DMX channel value is above 13 (~0.05)
• Verify _EnableDMX is enabled (or set to 0 for manual control)
• Ensure _GlobalIntensity and _FinalIntensity > 0
• Check disco ball is positioned where it can project onto geometry
• Verify cubemap texture is assigned

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Projection Looks Wrong

• Check _UseWorldNorm setting (try toggling)
• Verify cubemap texture is properly formatted
• Ensure scene has geometry to project onto
• Check depth texture is being generated (camera settings)

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Not Rotating

• Verify _RotationSpeed is not zero
• Check that time is advancing (not paused)
• Try higher rotation speed to make movement visible

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Too Bright/Too Dim

• Adjust _Multiplier for overall brightness
• Modify DMX channel value (if in DMX mode)
• Change _GlobalIntensity for master control
• Boost _Emission color for HDR intensity

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Flickering or Artifacts

• Check depth buffer is enabled on camera
• Verify _ClippingThreshold is appropriate (try 0.5)
• Adjust _RenderMode (try AlphaToCoverage)
• Check for z-fighting with other transparent objects

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Projection Appears on Wrong Surfaces

• Adjust stencil settings if needed
• Check that surfaces have proper render queue
• Verify depth buffer is correctly configured
• Consider adjusting _BlendDst mode

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AudioLink Integration

• Intensity Modulation - Brightness reacts to audio
• Band Selection - Choose frequency range
• Color Chord - Auto-color from music
• Theme Colors - Match AudioLink theme

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AudioLink Setup Example

EnableAudioLink = true
Band = 0                  // Bass
BandMultiplier = 1.5      // Sensitivity
EnableColorChord = false  // Keep classic white

1. Enable AudioLink
2. Select bass band for thumping effect
3. Adjust band multiplier for intensity range
4. Consider color chord for dynamic colors

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Advanced Techniques

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Multiple Disco Balls

// Ball 1 - Fast white
_RotationSpeed = 15.0
_Emission = Color.white

// Ball 2 - Slow colored
_RotationSpeed = -5.0
_Emission = Color.cyan * 0.8

// Ball 3 - Medium colored
_RotationSpeed = 8.0
_Emission = Color.magenta * 0.6

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Synchronized Rotation

// For 120 BPM (2 beats per second)
_RotationSpeed = 360.0 / (60.0 / 120.0)  // One rotation per beat
// = 720°/sec

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Dynamic Control

// Accelerate rotation over time
float targetSpeed = Mathf.Lerp(5.0f, 30.0f, time);
material.SetFloat("_RotationSpeed", targetSpeed);

// Pulse brightness
float intensity = 0.5f + 0.5f * Mathf.Sin(Time.time * 2.0f);
material.SetFloat("_GlobalIntensity", intensity);

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Custom Projections

• Star Field - Space theme
• Geometric Patterns - Modern/abstract
• Nature Scenes - Organic projections
• Logo/Brand - Corporate events