Overlay Stack Management

When using multiple overlays simultaneously, you need to manage which are visible and how they layer on screen.

Overlay stacking order

Overlays render in slot order — slot 1’s overlay draws first (bottom), and higher slot numbers draw on top. If two overlays overlap, the higher-numbered slot’s overlay appears in front.

Toggling individual overlays

Each overlay can be toggled independently:

  • Show an overlay to make it visible on program output
  • Hide an overlay to remove it without deleting the source

This is the primary way to manage overlays during a production — prepare all your overlays in advance, then show/hide them as needed.

Global overlay toggle

The master overlay toggle shows or hides all overlays at once:

  • Toggle off to instantly clear the screen of all overlays
  • Toggle on to restore all previously-visible overlays

This is useful for quickly cleaning up the output (e.g., during a transition or break).

Clear all overlays

The clear all action hides every overlay and resets their visibility state. Unlike the master toggle, clear all doesn’t remember which overlays were previously visible.

Workflow tips

Pre-show setup

  1. Create all overlays you’ll need (lower thirds for each speaker, logos, countdowns)
  2. Position and style each one
  3. Keep them all hidden until showtime

During the show

  • Toggle overlays on/off as needed (e.g., show a lower third when a new speaker starts)
  • Use OSC or voice commands for hands-free overlay control
  • Use the master toggle to quickly clear all overlays between segments

Multiple lower thirds

For a multi-person show, prepare a lower third in a different slot for each person. Toggle the appropriate one on when they’re speaking and off when they’re done.

OSC control

Address Args Description
/pmix/overlay/{n}/toggle — Toggle overlay for slot n
/pmix/overlay/enabled int 0/1 Set global overlay visibility
/pmix/overlay/clear — Clear all overlays

Automation tools like TouchOSC or Companion can trigger overlay changes with a single button press — see OSC Remote Control.