Introduction

A common challenge with digital signage is keeping your content fresh without having to rebuild your presentation every time something changes. This guide shows you how to use a playlist to make one area of your presentation rotate through images automatically, while the rest of your layout stays completely fixed.

Here is what the finished result can look like:

The centre area cycles through different images on its own. Everything else — the logo, clock, date, weather and news ticker — stays exactly where it is and updates live through apps. The only thing that ever changes is the image in the middle.

If you have not worked with playlists before, we recommend starting with the guide Add and Edit a Playlist first.

What you will need

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A playlist with the images you want to rotate. If you have not created one yet, follow the guide Add and Edit a Playlist first.
• Optionally, an overlay image — a PNG with a transparent cutout where the playlist will show through. This is not required, but it is what gives the layout its polished look and avoids sharp edges around the playlist area. You can design your own in any image editor, or ask your designer to make one based on your brand. Step 3 in this guide covers how to add it if you have one.

Step 1: Create your presentation

Create a new presentation. See the General Information about Presentations guide if you need help.

Step 2: Add the Playlist app and your playlist

Add the Playlist app and connect your playlist to it. Position it in the area where you want your images to rotate — this should match the transparent cutout in your overlay image if you are using one.

Step 3: Add your overlay image on top

Now add your overlay PNG on top of the Playlist app. In the Apps panel, find the Image app and add it to the slide. Select your overlay image from the Media Library and resize it to cover the full slide (1920 × 1080 px).

Make sure the overlay image sits above the Playlist app in the layer order — you can check this in the Layers tab on the left. The playlist shows through the transparent cutout in the overlay, while the surrounding design covers the edges of the Playlist app cleanly.

Step 4: Add your other apps

With the overlay in place, add the rest of your apps — clock, date, weather, news ticker, or whatever fits your layout. These sit on top of everything and update live automatically.

Step 5: Publish your presentation

When you are happy with the layout, click Publish in the upper-right corner to push it to your player. Your playlist will start rotating through its images automatically within the designated area.

Remember — any changes you make to the playlist itself are pushed to your player automatically within about 30 seconds, without needing to republish the presentation.

Next steps

Ready to take your playlists further? Learn how to use playlists to control content across teams and locations:

Guide: Content Control and Metadata with Playlists