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# What are Live Layers, and how do I get set up?

**Live Layers** is Scriptation's near-real-time annotation-sharing feature for teams. You annotate in your script, tap the **layer share icon**, and your group instantly receives the update — perfect for on-set changes, pre-production updates, table reads, and any time the whole team needs to be on the same page.

Live Layers works asynchronously, not simultaneously: each person works on their own layer, then shares to push their updates to the rest of the group. It's the difference between a quick group text and a Google Doc — everyone stays in sync, but no one is editing on top of anyone else.

|| 📝 NOTE: Live Layers is available on [Scriptation Team](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-scriptation-team-4bxf8z/) and Enterprise licenses.

|| 📝 NOTE: The video shows an older user interface, but the core concepts still apply.

${frame}[Live Layers](https://www.loom.com/embed/51176979076e4420b0ab6e4570cd9c82)

### Getting Started

1. With your script open, tap **Layers** on the Top Toolbar.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/toptoolbarlayerspng_wcurlq.png =400x79)

| ✅ TIP: If the Layers icon isn't showing in the Top Toolbar, touch or click the plus sign on the right side to show additional icons. To pin it permanently, see [Customizing the Top Toolbar](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/more-icons-and-customizing-the-top-toolbar-v1u97a/).

2. The Layers window opens and shows all the layers you've created so far. **Give each one a descriptive name** — this makes it much easier for your team to identify whose layer is whose once they're shared. To rename a layer, tap the **menu** at the top right of the Layers window, then **Edit**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayersoffpng_1f54jkx.png =300x355)

3. At the bottom of the Layers window, **toggle on** Live Layers.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerstogglepng_1uaiovv.png =300x99)

You can configure global Live Layers options — including [Auto Live Layers](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-auto-live-layers-1q25isw/) (auto-join the public group for every document) and a Private Key — from the **Live Layers** tab in [Settings](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/an-overview-of-the-settings-menu-1v2uicm/).

4. Create a new Layer Group, or join an existing one. See below for both flows.

##### Creating a Layer Group

If you're the first person on your team to use Live Layers with this document, you'll see a pop-up to customize the name for your Layer Group. You'll also have the option to make your Layer Group private.

1. Enter a name and decide whether to enable **Make Group Private**.
2. Tap **Create**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerscustomizename2png_w116y8.png =300x270)

3. If you enabled Make Group Private, enter a Group Password and tap **Create**. **Write your password down somewhere safe and distribute it to your team — there's no way to retrieve or change a Group Password later**, so this one step matters.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerssetkey3png_1av7bjn.png =300x224)

With Live Layers now enabled, see [**Sharing Live Layers**](#sharing-live-layers) below.

##### Joining an Existing Layer Group

If teammates have already started a Layer Group for this document, you'll see a pop-up listing existing groups.

1. Select an existing Layer Group, or tap the **New** icon in the upper right corner to create a new one.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayersselectgroup1png_nddgy9.png =500x341)

| 💡 TIP: Sometimes you may also see a **Show More** button. When Scriptation processes your script for Live Layers, it analyzes two things — **Page Count** and **File Name**. For more on this, see [Why are there other files in my Live Layers list?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/why-are-there-other-files-in-my-live-layers-list-u2hm5v/)

2. In the confirmation box, tap **Yes**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayersconfirmgroup1png_1hofyii.png =300x187)

3. If your Layer Group is password-protected, enter the password and tap **OK**. (The creator of the group set the password — they're the one to ask if you don't have it.)

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerspassword2png_1geyosr.png =300x204)

You're now in a Layer Group and ready to start sharing.

### Sharing Live Layers

Before you start collaborating, here are the three types of layers Live Layers uses:

1. **Private** — A layer that isn't shared with anyone. Only you can see it;
2. **Owned** — A layer that you originate and share with your Layer Group. You control the content and when the layer is shared;
3. **Received** — A layer shared with you by a teammate. They control the content and when it's shared, and the layer is read-only on your end.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerstypespng_7ldgbt.png =500x350)

##### Reading the icons

Each layer row shows a colored dot (the layer's highlight color) and its name, with action icons on the right:

* **Layer share icon** (a tray with an upward arrow) — opens the share options for your layer. Appears on your own private layers and Owned Live Layers;
* **Note icon** (a speech bubble) — opens the notes on a Received Live Layer;
* **Eye icon** — shows or hides the layer on the page. An open eye means visible; a closed eye means hidden;
* **Pencil icon** — marks your active layer (the one you're currently annotating on).

##### Sharing an Owned Layer

1. Tap the **layer share icon** (the tray with an upward arrow) to the right of the Layer name.
2. Choose an option:

* **Share Live Layer** — pushes the layer to your Layer Group;
* **Share Live Layer with Notes** — pushes the layer along with a message for your group.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerssharepng_tbxfsy.png =300x181)

3. Scriptation processes the layer and shares it within your Layer Group. The layer is now labeled `Owner (v1)`. The version number updates every time you share.

Repeat for as many Layers as you'd like.

||| ⚠️ HEADS UP: Live Layers only syncs annotations on **Native** script pages — the original imported pages of your script. Annotations on added pages (like [Facing Pages](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-facing-pages-and-how-do-i-add-them-1qh8gjs/), copy-pasted pages, or any pages added via [the Page Manager](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-the-page-manager-k7edhm/)) **won't sync through Live Layers**. This is by design — added pages are personalized per user, so syncing them between teammates would create confusion. Want to share those notes too? [Share the file directly](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-share-notes-or-email-a-file-181353n/) instead.

##### Receiving a Layer

When a collaborator within your Layer Group shares their Live Layer, you'll see a pop-up message.

1. Tap **Yes** to receive the Layer. (If you're busy and don't want to receive right now, tap **No** — the circular **Refresh** icon at the bottom of the Layers window lets you catch up on any notifications you missed.)

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerssync1png_1u3tnqi.png =300x202)

Back in your Layers menu, the layer is now labeled `(v1)`. The version number updates every time you receive an update from the Layer owner.

To view a Received Layer:

* **Tap the layer** to make it your active layer; or
* **Tap the eye icon** to show it alongside your current layer. Tap the eye icon again to hide it.

When viewing a Received Layer, the top of the page shows a grey box with the name of the layer.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayerslabelpng_u4zwat.png =700x201)

| 💡 TIP: To hide the layer name header on received layers, see [How do I turn off the Live Layers Name Header?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-turn-off-the-live-layers-name-header-1pkbd1y/).

Received Layers are view-only, but you can create a separate editable copy: tap the three-dot icon (...) at the top right of the Layers sidebar and select **Duplicate**.

##### Viewing notes on a Received Layer

When a teammate shares a layer using **Share with Notes**, their message travels with it. To read the notes on a Received Live Layer, tap the **note icon** (the speech bubble) to the right of the layer's name.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/livelayersnotepng_7flr9.png =300x147)

# What's Next

[What is Auto Live Layers?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-auto-live-layers-1q25isw/)
[Uses and Tips for Live Layers](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/uses-and-tips-for-live-layers-1345ub6/)
[How do I turn off the Live Layers Name Header?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-turn-off-the-live-layers-name-header-1pkbd1y/)
[How do I transfer Live Layers?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-transfer-live-layers-1syaawz/)