When crafting complex and visually rich Layouts in Signagelive, you might find multiple content zones overlapping or nestled together. This is where the Layer Navigator becomes an indispensable tool. It provides a clear overview and precise control over every element in your design.
What is the Layer Navigator?
The Layer Navigator is a dedicated panel within the Layout Designer that shows all the different zones you've added to your Layout. Think of it like a stack of transparent sheets, each representing a zone. The order in this stack determines which zones appear "on top" of others on your display.
Since you can 'stack' zones – placing one partly or fully over another – it's easy for a zone to become visually hidden or hard to select directly on the design canvas. The Layer Navigator removes this frustration by providing direct access to every zone, no matter its position or visibility on the canvas.
Accessing and Using the Layer Navigator
Getting to grips with the Layer Navigator is simple:
Log in to your Signagelive Network.
From the main menu, select Content.
Choose Layouts.
You can just open an existing Layout you wish to edit, or create a new Layout.
Once you're in the Layout Designer, look for and open the Layer Navigator usually located in the bottom right corner of the interface.
Once opened, you'll see a list of all the zones in your Layout.
Changing Zone Order and Renaming
The Layer Navigator isn't just for viewing; it's for managing your design effectively:
Reordering Zones (Bringing to Front/Sending to Back): If you have zones overlapping and need to change which one is visible or interactive, simply drag a zone within the Layer Navigator list. Dragging a zone to the top of the list will bring it to the front of your Layout, making it appear on top of any overlapping zones. Conversely, dragging it lower in the list will send it further back. This is incredibly useful for fine-tuning the visual hierarchy of your display.
Renaming Your Zones for Clarity: As your Layouts become more complex with many zones, remembering what "Zone 1" or "Rectangle 5" is meant for can become challenging. The Layer Navigator allows you to rename your zones. Giving zones descriptive names (e.g., "Main Video Area," "Bottom Ticker," "Branding Logo") can significantly simplify the editing and updating process, making your workflow much more efficient and less prone to errors.
By mastering the Layer Navigator, you gain complete control over the arrangement and visibility of every element in your Signagelive Layouts, ensuring your content is displayed exactly as intended.