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evmux Knowledge Base

How to Duplicate a Layer

This guide shows you how to duplicate (copy) existing layers to quickly create similar elements.

Quick Steps

  1. Select the layer you want to duplicate
  2. Right-click > Duplicate or press Ctrl/Cmd + D
  3. A copy of the layer appears
  4. Adjust position and settings as needed

Why Duplicate Layers?

  • Save time - Don’t recreate similar layers
  • Consistency - Maintain same settings/styles
  • Templates - Use as starting point
  • Quick variations - Small changes from base

Method 1: Right-Click Menu

Duplicate from Scene or Layers Panel

  1. Click on the layer in the scene or Layers panel
  2. Right-click to open context menu
  3. Select Duplicate
  4. A copy of the layer appears in the same scene

Note: The context menu has two options:

  • Duplicate - Creates a copy in the same scene
  • Copy - Copies to clipboard (use Paste to add to another scene)

Only certain layer types support Duplicate: video, image, slideshow, text, websource, userapp, animated caption, localcam, and screenshare.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

Quick Duplicate

  1. Select the layer
  2. Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac)
  3. Layer is duplicated instantly

Copy and Paste

  1. Select the layer
  2. Press Ctrl/Cmd + C to copy
  3. Press Ctrl/Cmd + V to paste
  4. Copy appears (may be at same position)

Method 3: Duplicate Button

If available in toolbar:

  1. Select the layer
  2. Click the Duplicate button (often 📋 or ⧉)
  3. Layer is duplicated

What Gets Duplicated

When you duplicate a layer, the copy includes:

PropertyDuplicated?
Position (X, Y)Yes (slightly offset)
Size (Width, Height)Yes
ContentYes
StylingYes
EffectsYes
Layer NameYes (with “copy” suffix)
VisibilityYes

After Duplicating

Rename the Copy

  1. The duplicate often has “Copy” in the name
  2. Rename to something meaningful
  3. Right-click > Rename or double-click name

Adjust Position

The duplicate appears at a slight offset:

  1. Drag to new position
  2. Or enter exact coordinates
  3. Avoid overlapping original

Modify as Needed

  • Change content (text, media)
  • Adjust size
  • Modify styling
  • Update properties

Common Duplication Use Cases

Multiple Similar Elements

Example: Speaker name banners

  1. Create and style one banner
  2. Duplicate for each speaker
  3. Change only the name text
  4. Position each appropriately

Grid Layouts

Example: 4-person layout

  1. Create one participant frame
  2. Duplicate 3 times
  3. Position in grid
  4. Assign different sources

Scene Variations

Example: Different lower thirds

  1. Create base lower third
  2. Duplicate for variations
  3. Adjust colors or text
  4. Use different ones per segment

Duplicating to Different Scenes

Copy Layer to Another Scene

  1. Select the layer
  2. Copy (Ctrl/Cmd + C)
  3. Switch to target scene
  4. Paste (Ctrl/Cmd + V)

Or

  1. Right-click layer
  2. Select Copy to Scene
  3. Choose destination scene

Duplicating Multiple Layers

Select Multiple Layers

  1. Hold Ctrl/Cmd and click layers
  2. Or Shift-click for range
  3. Right-click > Duplicate
  4. All selected layers are duplicated

Duplicate as Group

If layers are grouped:

  1. Select the group
  2. Duplicate
  3. Entire group is copied

Tips for Efficient Duplication

Use Templates

  1. Create a “template” layer with base styling
  2. Keep it hidden
  3. Duplicate when you need a new similar element
  4. Modify the duplicate

Naming Convention

Use clear names for duplicates:

  • “Lower Third - John”
  • “Lower Third - Sarah”
  • “Logo - Corner”
  • “Logo - Center”

Position System

Plan positions for duplicates:

  • Different corners for logos
  • Stacked for multiple banners
  • Grid positions for participants

Troubleshooting

Duplicate not appearing?

  • Check if behind other layers
  • Look in Layers panel
  • May be at exact same position (move original)

Wrong layer duplicated?

  • Verify selection before duplicating
  • Check Layers panel for selection

Can’t find duplicate option?

  • Try keyboard shortcut
  • Check right-click menu
  • May be named “Copy” instead

Duplicate has wrong settings?

  • Settings copy from original at time of duplication
  • Modify the duplicate as needed
  • Changes to original don’t affect duplicate

Best Practices

  1. Duplicate before modifying - Keep original as template
  2. Rename immediately - Avoid confusion
  3. Reposition right away - Don’t leave stacked
  4. Use shortcuts - Faster workflow
  5. Clean up unused duplicates - Delete what you don’t need