> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-1/set-up-a-zone-layout.md). # Set up a zone layout Pick the arrangement of zones your production plays into — from a shipped preset, an imported file, or your own design in the Zone Layout Editor. ## The Zone Settings section Open the project’s settings and find the **Zone Settings** section. It shows the **Variations** strip (when the layout has any), a live preview of the active layout, and — under the preview — the **Active Layout:** row: the layout’s name as a clickable link, with a **Browse...** button beside it. * The default is **Full Layout (no zones)** — the whole frame as one undivided canvas. * Click the layout name or **Browse...** to open the **Zone Layouts** library and pick, create, or manage layouts. * The **Variations** tabs preview each arrangement in place — click one and the preview morphs to it. Which variation actually plays is chosen per shot (see [Control zones from shots](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-1/control-zones-from-shots.md)). * Double-click the preview to open the active layout in the Zone Layout Editor. The active layout is saved inside the project file, so it travels with the project to another machine even when that machine doesn’t have the layout installed. ## The Zone Layouts library The **Zone Layouts** dialog is where every layout lives, grouped by where it came from: **My Layouts** (yours — rename, delete, and edit in place), **In This Project**, **Added This Session**, and **Built-in** (read-only — duplicate to make changes). The no-zones default sits first, above the groups. * Select a layout to see its preview, zone and variation counts, and origin. Double-click a row to select it and close; click **Select** to confirm. * **New Layout...** creates one from scratch; **Import...** brings in a `.zonelayout` or `.xml` file. Imported layouts join the session — duplicate one to keep it in **My Layouts**. * The strip under the list holds **Duplicate...**, **Rename...**, **Delete**, and **Export...**, with **Edit Layout** at its right end — the door into the editor. Double-clicking the dialog’s preview edits too. * Editing a **Built-in** layout never touches what ships: Captivate forks a copy into **My Layouts** under the same name and edits that. **💡 TIP**\ The video-board preset pack ships arrangements built for common installations — **Standard Scoreboard**, **8 Up Single**, **6 Up Quad**, and more — with zones already named for their jobs. Start from the one closest to your board and adjust it in the editor. ## Design a layout in the Zone Layout Editor The Zone Layout Editor installs with Captivate and opens **modally** — Captivate waits while you edit, then picks up the result the moment you save. The editor’s footer has two buttons: **Cancel** (discard and return, after a confirmation) and **Save** (write the layout and return — the Project Settings preview updates immediately). {% hint style="info" %} The empty default layout has nothing to edit; opening it in the editor is refused with a prompt to create a layout first. {% endhint %} ### The canvas and the project frame The editor’s canvas **can be larger than the project frame**: set a Project Size smaller than the Canvas Size and the frame is drawn as an outlined rectangle inside the working area. Only what sits inside the project frame reaches the output — zones parked outside it are staged, not shown. That off-frame space is a feature: a squeeze variation places zones outside the frame so they can slide in later. Set both sizes from the **Layout** panel: **Canvas Size** is your working area; **Project Size** is the frame that renders. For a board installation, Project Size matches the combined pixel dimensions of your tiled displays. ### Working with zones * Drag zones to position them; resize with the corner and edge handles. Zones snap to each other and to the frame, with alignment and spacing guides as you drag. * **Divide** splits a selected zone into a grid; **Fill** grows a zone into the available space. The **Arrange** menu aligns selections, matches sizes, and merges zones. * Each zone’s **Selection Properties** carry its position and size (as percentages of the frame), z-order, fit mode (**Aspect Fit**, **Center**, **Stretch**), fill color, and the display region it belongs to. * Load a reference image behind the canvas (**File** → **Load Background Image...**) to line zones up against a photo or render of the physical installation. * The variation bar above the canvas holds the master and each variation; **Create Layout Variation** adds one, and its overflow menu offers **Rename**, **Duplicate**, **Delete**, and **Reset to Master**. Name zones for their jobs. The name is how everything else addresses a zone — items, shots, and variations all bind by name — so "Sponsor Ribbon" beats "Zone 7". ## Related * [Map media and titles to zones](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-1/map-media-to-zones.md) * [Control zones from shots](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-1/control-zones-from-shots.md) * [Output graphics to a display](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-to-a-display.md) — assigning display regions to physical screens. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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