The Layers area is where operators build, organise, and control the visual stack of a live production inside an open control room. Layers determine what visual elements are available in the production, how they are arranged, and which content appears in Preview or Program as the show runs.
Video walkthrough
This walkthrough covers the Layers area, selecting a layer, and working with layer content during a production.
Video link: https://vimeo.com/1221172936
What Layers are
A layer is a production container that holds visual or media elements used in the control room. Operators use layers to separate different on-air elements, control what is active, and manage composition more predictably during live production.
Depending on the room configuration, a control room may include multiple layers. Each layer can be used for a different purpose, such as:
A primary live video source.
A secondary visual element or alternate feed.
A graphic or text-based overlay.
A media playback source.
A browser or integration-driven source.
Layers help operators avoid treating the entire output as one flat canvas. Instead, production elements are organised into manageable pieces that can be previewed, adjusted, and taken live in a controlled way.
✅ Tip: Layers are the building blocks of the live composition. They define what content is available, what order it appears in, and how operators work with that content during a production.
What the Layers area is used for
Viewing the available layer stack in the current production.
Selecting the layer that is currently being worked on.
Seeing what source or content is assigned to a layer.
Managing visibility and composition order.
Preparing a layer before it is used on air.
Switching attention quickly between different production elements during the show.
Because live production often involves multiple simultaneous elements, the Layers area acts as both a control surface and an organisational view. It shows the current composition at a glance while still allowing detailed work on a selected layer.
How Layers fit into the control room
Layers sit inside the live operational workspace rather than the initial room setup flow. The area supports real-time production work after the room has been created and opened, so the focus is on operating the show rather than defining the room.
Area | Primary purpose | How it relates to Layers |
Control rooms page | Create, launch, stop, edit, or manage rooms. | Used before entering the live workspace. |
Control room interior | Run the live production. | Contains the Layers area and other operational tools. |
Shows | Track the production record and recording. | Reflects the output of the live production rather than the live composition tools themselves. |
Layer settings
Layer settings are part of the Setup section, but they are directly tied to how a selected layer behaves in the production. Layer settings can include:
Layer title or name
Tags
Layout
Colour
Display transform
Cropping
Aspect ratio
Opacity
These controls affect how the selected layer is identified and displayed. Layers is therefore not just a list of items — it is part of a wider composition system where each layer can be visually adjusted and managed as its own production element.
Layer settings help operators make controlled visual changes without rebuilding the production from scratch. Cropping or display transform can help fit content into the intended layout, while opacity and aspect ratio controls help preserve a clean on-air result.
Best practices
Select the correct layer before adding a source or changing settings.
Name sources clearly so layer contents are easy to recognise during the show.
Use layers to separate different visual roles, such as main video, graphics, clip playback, or web elements.
Review the visual result of a layer before relying on it in live output.
Use Asset Library or Media Player sources when prepared content needs to be managed more consistently.