Overlays Overview
Overlays are graphics that appear on top of your program output — visible to your audience but independent of the video sources underneath. Use them for lower thirds, logos, titles, countdowns, and branding.
How overlays work
Overlays are composited on top of the program output in real time. They are:
- Always on top — Overlays render above the current program source (or scene)
- Toggleable — Each overlay can be shown or hidden independently
- Per-slot — Overlays are attached to source slots; each slot can have an overlay configured
- Positionable — Overlays can be placed anywhere on screen and scaled/rotated
Overlay types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Text | Live text with customizable font, size, color, background, and style — ideal for lower thirds and titles |
| Image | Static images, logos, and graphics with transparency support (PNG) |
| Countdown | Countdown timers with configurable start/end values and display format |
| Video | Media players set to overlay mode — video bumpers, animated graphics (see Media Player) |
Showing and hiding overlays
- Tap the overlay toggle for a slot to show or hide it
- The overlay appears/disappears instantly
- Multiple overlays can be visible simultaneously (they stack in slot order)
- Some overlay types (countdown, video) support auto-dismiss — the overlay is automatically hidden when playback or the countdown finishes
Editing overlays
Tap an overlay source in the grid to open its editor panel. All overlay types support:
- Drag on the preview monitor to reposition the overlay
- Pinch on the preview monitor to resize it
- The preview shows a checkerboard pattern behind transparent areas so you can clearly see the overlay boundaries
When the editor is open, tapping a different source thumbnail in the grid switches to editing that source — making it quick to adjust multiple overlays in sequence.
Global overlay control
- Overlay master toggle — Show or hide all overlays at once
- Clear all — Remove all active overlays in one action
OSC control
Overlays can be controlled via OSC:
| Address | Description |
|---|---|
/pmix/overlay/{n}/toggle |
Toggle overlay for slot n |
/pmix/overlay/enabled |
Set global overlay visibility (0/1) |
/pmix/overlay/clear |
Clear all overlays |
See the individual overlay articles and OSC Remote Control for full details.