How to Split a Digital Signage Screen into Zones?

Learn how to edit a layout in EasySignage to split a screen into layers so a video, a menu, and a news ticker can play side by side.

How do I show more than one thing on a screen at once?

Split the layout into layers. A layout in EasySignage is divided into layers, and each layer holds its own content, so you can run a video in a large layer with a news ticker in a strip along the bottom. A layout supports up to 6 layers, they can sit on top of each other, and content in a layer supports transparency.

A default two-layer layout might be a 1920x960 layer above a 1920x120 layer.

 

How do I add a layer?

  • Go to the Playlists page
  • Click a playlist to open the layout view
  • Click Edit Layout
  • Click Add Layer
  • Pick one of the preset layer sizes to add it

 

How do I position and resize a layer?

  • Click a layer, or select it in the list on the right
  • Drag and drop the layer, or type X and Y values at the top
  • Use the alignment buttons to centre the layer vertically or horizontally, or align it left, right, top, or bottom
  • Tick Snap to Grid to move in 45 pixel steps instead of pixel by pixel
  • Drag the resize controls, or enter width and height values

 

What happens when I resize a layer to a custom size?

You get a warning, because a custom sized layer only accepts images, videos, and websites by web URL. Unsupported media types in that layer are removed when you confirm. Plan around that before resizing a layer that already holds app content.

 

How do I control which layer sits in front?

Layer order is set by the list on the right of the layout editor.

  • Drag a layer up in the list to bring it to the front
  • Drag it down to send it to the back
  • Click the delete button in the list, then confirm, to remove a layer and all of its content

Click Back to return to the layout preview.

 

Do I need to match the layer size to my screen resolution?

No. Layer dimensions work as a design canvas rather than a quality limit, so a 4K video in a 1920x1080 layer still plays at 4K on a screen that supports it.