How zones fit together
Zones do not exist on their own, they are defined inside a layout, and you fill them with content when you build a composition.| Concept | Role |
|---|---|
| Layout | Defines how many zones exist and where they sit on the screen (size, position, overlap) |
| Zone | One partition inside the layout, each zone gets its own content playlist |
| Composition | The finished design: a layout plus the media and apps assigned to every zone |
New to layouts or compositions? Start with Create a layout, then Create a composition.
What can run inside a zone?
Within each zone you can display distinct content to meet your requirements:- Images and videos from your media library
- Apps from the Pickcel App Store, YouTube, RSS feeds, tickers, text, clocks, weather, web URLs, slides, maps, and more
- Multiple items in one zone as a playlist, each with its own play duration
Zone limits
| Limit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum zones | Up to 8 zones per slide |
| Multiple videos | You can add a separate video to each zone; all videos play simultaneously |
| Audio | By default, audio from Zone 1 plays while videos in other zones run muted |
| Multi-slide | Each slide in a multi-slide composition can have its own zone arrangement (up to 8 zones per slide) |
Design zones in the layout editor
Zones are created when you design a layout. Open Composition → Add Composition → + Create Custom Layout, then use + Add zone to place partitions on the canvas.
Add content to zones in the composition editor
After you choose a layout, the composition editor opens. Zones are listed on the right (Zone 1, Zone 2, and so on). Click a zone, then click the + on a media row on the left to add it to that zone’s playlist.
- Set play duration with the inline − and + controls (the zone total is shown under Total Duration). Duration applies to images; videos always play for their full length.
- Reorder items by dragging the handle on each row
- Remove an item by hovering over it and clicking the remove icon
Reorder overlapping zones
If your layout has overlapping zones, one zone placed on top of another, you can control which zone appears in front using zone reordering. Reordering adjusts the stacking order (z-index) so the correct content is visible on top. This is useful for designs where a smaller zone sits over a full-screen background zone, or when transparent areas in one zone should reveal content behind it.Open the layout in the layout designer
Open your custom layout from the Custom tab of the layout picker to reopen it in the layout designer.
Select the zone to move
Click the zone you want to bring forward or send backward. Overlapping zones highlight on the canvas.
Use zone reordering controls
Use the reorder controls in the layout designer to move the selected zone up or down in the stack. Zones higher in the list render on top of zones below them.
Zone reordering applies to custom layouts with overlapping zones. Standard built-in templates cannot be edited, duplicate a template first if you need to change zone stacking.
How images and videos fit inside a zone
When you add an image or video to a zone, choose how it fills the partition:| Option | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Fit to zone | Stretches to fill the entire zone |
| Maintain aspect ratio | Keeps the original proportions; may letterbox |
| Crop | Manually select the visible area inside the zone |
Common zone layouts
| Layout style | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Single zone | Full-screen promotions, menus, or slideshows |
| Two zones | Main content + sidebar (weather, logo, ticker) |
| Three zones | Video + weather + RSS, or product catalog with framed images |
| Four+ zones | Dashboard-style screens with logo, menu, playlist, and ticker |
Related guides
Create a Composition
Choose a layout and assign media to each zone.
Layouts
Design custom layouts and place zones on the canvas.
Multi-slide
Use different zone arrangements on each slide in one composition.
Compositions & Zones FAQ
Zone limits, cropping, editing layouts, and player-specific behavior.