Scene Types: Dynamic Scene vs Pro Scene
evmux offers two fundamentally different scene types, each designed for different use cases and workflows. In Dual Streaming mode both types render in landscape and portrait at the same time. See Dual Streaming.
The key idea: dedicated slots vs. freedom
The real difference between the two scene types is who decides what a thing is.
The Dynamic Scene gives you dedicated slots. It has a Logo section, a Background section, an Overlay section and a Video Clips section. Each does one job in a fixed way. The logo, for instance, sits in the top-right corner and offers a size setting, and that is where it goes. You choose the picture; evmux decides the role and the placement.
A Pro scene has no such sections, and that is the point. There is no logo setting, no background setting, no overlay setting. Instead you add images and videos as ordinary layers and put them wherever you like, and you decide which of them is “the logo”, which is “the background”, which is “the overlay”. A logo is just an image layer you placed in a corner. A background is just an image or video layer sitting underneath everything else.
So yes, every scene can have its own logo. On the Dynamic Scene it is a dedicated feature; in a Pro scene it is whatever image you decided plays that role.
Think of a scene as a sandwich
A Pro scene is a stack of layers, and layers higher in the stack cover the layers below them. That single rule explains most “why can’t I see my camera” questions: something is sitting on top of it. Drag a layer up or down the list in the Layers tab to change what covers what: background image at the bottom, cameras in the middle, overlays and logos on top.
Overview
| Feature | Dynamic Scene | Pro Scene |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Auto-arranging grid | Manual layer positioning |
| Participant management | Add/Remove from Fast Access Bar | Add as individual layers |
| Customization | Quick templates, limited | Full control over every element |
| Best for | Quick setups, interviews | Complex productions, branded shows |
Dynamic Scene
The Dynamic Scene is an auto-arranging scene that positions participants in a grid layout for you.
Key characteristics
- Always first in the scene list
- Auto-arranges participants based on how many are in the scene
- Quick templates available via the Fast Changes Bar
- Simplified controls in the Layers panel
Dynamic Scene Layers panel
When viewing the Dynamic Scene, the Layers panel shows accordion sections:
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Apps & Widgets | Add widgets from the marketplace |
| Logo | Select and size your logo (slider from 50% to 550%, default 250%) |
| Video Clips | Add intro/outro videos |
| Overlay | Add overlay graphics on top |
| Background | Set the scene background image or video |
Fast Changes Bar templates
The Dynamic Scene has 6 quick layout templates plus 1 custom option:
| Template | Layout |
|---|---|
| Template 1 | Side-by-side (2 equal boxes) |
| Template 2 | Left/Right 50-50 split |
| Template 3 | Main left + 2 stacked right |
| Template 4 | Main + PiP (picture-in-picture bottom-right) |
| Template 5 | Main top + 3 thumbnails bottom |
| Template 6 | Main left + 3 thumbnails right |
| Custom | Opens the Pro Scene intro to create a Pro Scene |
Note: Templates are disabled while a Video Clip is playing. Tooltip: “Changing layout not available during video clip playing.”
Adding and removing participants (Dynamic Scene)
From the Fast Access Bar:
- Hover over a participant thumbnail.
- Click Add to add them to the Dynamic Scene.
- Click Remove to take them out of the Dynamic Scene.
Pro Scene
Pro Scenes are custom scenes with full manual control over layer positioning and properties.
Key characteristics
- Created via the “Create new Pro scene” popup
- Manual positioning of all layers
- Full layer controls (position, size, rotation, effects)
- Undo/Redo support
- Can contain a Dynamic Grid layer
Pro Scene Layers panel
When viewing a Pro Scene, the Layers panel shows:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Undo button | Undo the last change (Cmd/Ctrl+Z) |
| Redo button | Redo an undone change (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Z) |
| Add New Layer | Opens the layer type menu |
| Layer list | Draggable list of all layers |
Creating a Pro Scene
- Click Create new Pro scene or the ”+” button.
- Enter a Scene name (placeholder: “New Scene Name”).
- Choose a template category:
- Popular: most used templates
- Speakers: templates for a specific number of speakers (1-12)
- Additional categories as available
- Select a template or Empty scene (default).
- Optionally select Import scene to import from a share code.
- Tick Add to the End of list to place the scene at the end.
- Click Create.
Layer types in a Pro Scene
From the “Add New Layer” menu:
| Layer type | Description |
|---|---|
| Speaker | A participant’s video |
| Screenshare | A participant’s screen share |
| Animated Caption | Animated lower thirds and titles |
| Text | Static text overlay |
| Web Source | Embed a web page |
| Media Files | Images, videos, audio |
| Apps & Widgets | Third-party widgets |
| Dynamic Grid | Auto-arranging grid within the Pro Scene |
Adding participants to a Pro Scene
Method 1: Add button in the Fast Access Bar (recommended)
- Hover over a participant thumbnail in the Fast Access Bar.
- Click the Add button that appears.
- What happens depends on whether the scene has a Dynamic Grid:
- With Dynamic Grid: added to the Dynamic Grid (auto-arranging)
- Without Dynamic Grid: added as an individual layer
Method 2: Add New Layer menu
- Click Add New Layer in the Layers panel.
- Select Speaker.
- Choose the participant from the Speaker Chooser.
- The participant is added as an individual layer.
Method 3: Options flyout
- In the Fast Access Bar, hover over a participant thumbnail.
- Click the three dots button.
- Select Add to Pro scene.
- The participant is added as an individual layer.
Dynamic Grid layer
The Dynamic Grid is a special layer type that brings Dynamic Scene behaviour into a Pro Scene.
What is a Dynamic Grid?
A Dynamic Grid layer creates an auto-arranging grid area within a Pro Scene. It is like having a mini Dynamic Scene inside your Pro Scene.
Limit
Only one Dynamic Grid is allowed per scene. If you try to add a second one, evmux shows:
“You can only place one layer of ‘Dynamic grid’ in a scene.”
Dynamic Grid behaviour
When a Pro Scene contains a Dynamic Grid:
- The Fast Access Bar shows Add/Remove buttons, like in the Dynamic Scene.
- A Spotlight button appears on participant thumbnails.
- Participants are added inside the grid.
- Auto-arrangement happens within the grid’s bounds.
Sync with the Dynamic Scene
The Dynamic Grid keeps its participants in sync with the main Dynamic Scene:
- Adding to the Dynamic Grid also adds to the Dynamic Scene.
- Removing from the Dynamic Grid also removes from the Dynamic Scene.
- Spotlight state is shared between them.
Dynamic Grid settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Vertical alignment | Stretch, centre, top or bottom |
| Horizontal alignment | Stretch, centre, left or right |
| Fit / Stretch | Whether items stretch to fill the grid or keep their aspect ratio |
| Gap | Automatic spacing between items |
Behaviour differences summary
Fast Access Bar behaviour
The Add/Remove button is always visible on hover. What it does differs by scene type:
| Context | Add button | Remove | Spotlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Scene | Adds to grid | Removes from grid | Yes |
| Pro Scene (no Dynamic Grid) | Adds as layer | Deletes layer (with confirmation) | No |
| Pro Scene (with Dynamic Grid) | Adds to Dynamic Grid | Removes from grid | Yes |
Layers panel behaviour
| Context | Shows |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Scene | Accordions: Apps & Widgets, Logo, Video Clips, Overlay, Background |
| Pro Scene | Layer list with Undo/Redo and Add New Layer |
Participant management
| Action | Dynamic Scene | Pro Scene | Pro Scene + Dynamic Grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add from Fast Access Bar | ✓ (to grid) | ✓ (as layer) | ✓ (to grid) |
| Add as individual layer | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spotlight from Fast Access Bar | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Manual positioning | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (grid position only) |
When to use each type
Use the Dynamic Scene when:
- You need a quick setup
- It is a standard interview or podcast format
- You want participants arranged automatically
- You do not need precise positioning
- You want simple template switching
Use a Pro Scene when:
- You need precise layer positioning
- You are creating branded layouts
- You have multiple overlays and graphics
- The composition is complex
- You need Undo/Redo
Use a Pro Scene with a Dynamic Grid when:
- You want a custom background and overlays but auto-arranged participants
- You need the grid in a precise position within a larger layout
- You are combining manual elements with a dynamic participant area