Building a Custom Layout Step-by-Step

Introduction

The eight built-in Live Studio layouts cover most shows. But when you want a layout that's specifically yours — your sources in your spots, your branding fitting perfectly around them — you'll reach for the Custom layout.

This guide walks through building one from scratch. By the end, you'll have a saved custom layout you can switch to with one click in any future show.s

Before You Start

You should already have:

A Live Studio stream open
At least two sources added to the canvas (host camera, plus a guest, screen share, RTMP feed, or video clip — whatever you'll be using)
A clear idea of what you want the layout to look like

If you're brand new, do your first show first and come back when you want more control.

Step 1: Switch to Custom

In the sidebar, click Layout, then click Custom. The canvas switches to free-form mode.

In Custom mode:

Source positions are no longer auto-managed
You can drag any source anywhere
You can resize sources by their corners
You can layer sources on top of each other

Screenshot suggestion: Layout panel with the Custom option selected.

Step 2: Plan Your Layout

Before you start dragging, decide:

Which source is the focal point? Make it the largest.
Which sources are secondary? Smaller, off to the side.
Will you have overlay graphics? A logo, frame, or lower-third — leave room for them.
Will the layout work for the whole show, or just one segment? Custom layouts can be segment-specific (e.g. a "lightning round" layout).

Sketching it on paper first helps. Even a rough box-and-line drawing.

Step 3: Place the Focal Source

Pick the most important source — usually the host or the screen share — and drag it to its position. Resize it by dragging the corner handles.

Common focal placements:

Center — symmetrical, formal feel
Left third — when text or graphics will sit on the right
Right two-thirds — when a smaller "panel" of guests sits on the left
Full width on top — when secondary sources sit below in a row

Step 4: Add Secondary Sources

Drag your secondary sources (guests, second cameras, screen share) into position around the focal source.

Tips:

Don't overcrowd. Empty canvas is fine — it lets viewers focus.
Maintain aspect ratios. Resize sources proportionally to keep faces normal.
Align edges. Even rough alignment looks much more professional than random placement.
Leave space for overlays. Logos and lower thirds need somewhere to live.

Step 5: Layer Sources (Optional)

You can layer one source on top of another for picture-in-picture effects:

A small camera in the corner of a screen share
A reaction camera on top of a video clip
A logo source on top of a host

Each source has a layer order. Drag sources to reorder layers, or use the layer controls in the source's right-click menu.

Step 6: Add Branding

Open the Composition Editor (click Composition in the sidebar) and add:

Your logo
A lower-third with the host's name
A frame or border graphic
A Now Playing overlay if relevant

Composition overlays sit on top of every layout — they show through Custom layouts the same way they show through presets. Position them so they fit around your sources, not over their faces.

For details see Adding a Logo and Lower Thirds to Your Live Studio Show.

Step 7: Save the Layout

When the canvas looks right, click Save Layout and give it a name — Lightning Round, Three-Up, Sponsor Segment, Closing Wide. Anything memorable.

The saved layout appears alongside the presets in the Layout sidebar. Click it any time to switch to it.

Step 8: Test the Switch

Click between your custom layout and a preset to confirm the switch is clean. Sources should pop into their saved positions instantly.

If something looks off:

Click your custom layout again
Adjust the source positions
Click Save Layout to overwrite

Building a Layout Library

For a recurring show, build out a small library of custom layouts:

Layout name	Use it for
Cold Open	Host alone, branded background, big logo
Interview	Host + guest, lower-thirds visible
Three-Up	Host + two guests, evenly weighted
Sponsor	Sponsor logo full-screen, host in corner
Wide Close	Host alone, tight crop, sign-off layout

Build it once, run the show on muscle memory.

Common Mistakes

Too many sources. Three feeds is plenty for most shows. Five is the practical max.
Tiny faces. If a viewer can't see expressions, the source is too small.
Poor alignment. Use the canvas grid (visible while dragging) to keep edges aligned.
Overlays clashing with sources. Plan source positions with overlays in mind.
No layout for emergencies. Always have a "host alone" layout (or use the Spotlight preset) for moments when something goes wrong.