How to Crop a Layer

This guide shows you how to crop layers to show only part of the content, useful for framing participants, removing unwanted areas, or creative effects.

Quick Steps

Select the layer on the scene
Click the Crop icon in the layer toolbar
Drag the crop corners to choose what stays visible
Click the Crop icon again (or select something else) to leave crop mode

Understanding Cropping

Cropping hides parts of a layer without deleting them — a window that shows only part of the content. It is stored as a percentage cut from each of the four sides, and it is separate from resizing, which changes how big the layer is drawn.

Cropping a layer

Step 1: Select the layer

Click it on the scene, or click its row in the Layers tab.

Step 2: Enter crop mode

Click the Crop icon in the layer toolbar. The crop frame appears over the layer.

Step 3: Adjust

Drag any of the four corners to cut from two sides at once.
Drag inside the crop frame to move the visible window across the content.

The result is applied live as you drag — the layer on the scene and on the stream updates immediately.

Step 4: Leave crop mode

There is no Apply and no Done button. Click the Crop icon again, or simply select another layer; the crop is already saved. There are also no numeric crop fields anywhere — cropping is done by dragging only. (The X/Y/Width/Height fields in the dimensions dropper size and position the layer; they do not crop it.)

Reset Crop

To remove cropping and show full content:

Select the layer
Click Reset crop in the layer toolbar — the layer goes back to showing everything

Crop vs. Resize

Action	Effect
Crop	Hides parts, shows only selected area
Resize	Scales entire content up or down

Best practice: Crop first to get the right framing, then resize to fit your layout.

Tips for Better Crops

Rule of Thirds

Position subjects at intersection points
Leave some “headroom” above people
Don’t crop too tight on faces

Consistent Framing

Use similar crop settings for multiple participants
Creates professional, unified look

Safe Margins

Don’t crop right to the edge of subjects
Leave a small buffer for movement

Troubleshooting

Crop handles not appearing?

Make sure crop tool is selected
Check if layer is locked
Try selecting from Layers panel

Crop looks stretched?

You may have resized after cropping
Check aspect ratio settings
Try enabling “Lock Aspect Ratio”

Can’t see all crop options?

Expand the properties panel
Look for “Advanced” or “More” options
Scroll down in settings

Original content cut off unexpectedly?

You may have accidentally cropped
Reset crop to show full content
Check crop values are at 0,0 with full dimensions

Cropping Different Layer Types

Video/Participant Layers

Crop updates in real-time
Can show just face, or wider shot
Affects both landscape and portrait modes

Image Layers

Same cropping applies
Good for focusing on part of an image

Crop to show specific window area
Useful for hiding taskbar or other screens