Articles on: Live Layers

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.

📝 NOTE: Live Layers is available on Scriptation Team and Enterprise licenses.

📝 NOTE: Live Layers is near-real-time sharing — not simultaneous co-editing like Google Docs. Each person works on their own layer, then shares to push updates to the rest of the group.

💡 TIP: The video shows an older user interface, but the core concepts still apply.

Getting Started

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

✅ 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.

The Layers window will show all Layers that you have created so far.

✅ TIP: Give your Layers descriptive names so it's easier for your team to identify them once shared. To rename a layer, tap the menu at the top right of the Layers window, then Edit.

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

✅ TIP: You can configure global Live Layers options — including Auto Live Layers (auto-join the public group for every document) and a Private Key — from the Live Layers tab in Settings.

Creating a Layer Group

If you're the first person within your team to use Live Layers with a specific document, you'll automatically see a pop-up to customize the name for your Layer Group. You'll also have the option to make your Layer Group private. When you're ready, tap Create.

If Make Group Private was selected, enter a Group Password and tap Create.

✅ TIP: Write down your password somewhere safe to distribute to your team — there's no way to retrieve or change the password later.

With your Live Layers now enabled, see Sharing Live Layers below.

Joining an Existing Layer Group

After enabling Live Layers, you'll see a pop-up showing existing Layer Groups.

From here, you can either select an existing Layer Group, or tap the New icon in the upper right corner to create a new one.

💡 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?

If you select any of the existing Live Layer groups, you'll see a confirmation box. Tap Yes.

If your Layer Group is password-protected, enter the password and tap OK.

✅ TIP: The creator of your password-protected Live Layer group will have the password.

Now that you're in a Live Layer group, you're ready to start sharing — keep reading.

Before you start collaborating with Live Layers, it's important to understand the three types of layers:

Private — A layer that isn't shared with anyone. Only you can see it;
Owned — A layer that you originate and share with your Layer Group. You control the content and when the layer is shared;
Received — A layer shared with you by a team member in your Layer Group. Your teammate controls the content and when it's shared. This is a read-only layer.

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 the layer is visible; a closed eye means it's hidden;
Pencil icon — marks your active layer (the one you're currently annotating on).

To share a layer, tap the layer share icon (the tray with an upward arrow) to the right of the Layer name, then 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.

Scriptation processes your layer and shares it within your Layer Group. You'll see 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, copy-pasted pages, or any pages added via the Page Manager) 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 instead.

Receiving a Layer

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

💡 TIP: If you're busy and don't want to receive the Layer right now, tap No. The circular Refresh icon at the bottom of the Layers window lets you catch up later with any notifications you may have missed.

Back in your Layers menu, you'll see 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, either 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.

💡 TIP: To hide the layer name header on received layers, see How do I turn off the Live Layers Name Header?.

Received Layers are view-only, but you can create a separate editable copy by tapping the three-dot icon (...) at the top right, and selecting 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.

What's Next

What is Auto Live Layers?

Uses and Tips for Live Layers

How do I turn off the Live Layers Name Header?

How do I transfer Live Layers?

Updated on: 16/06/2026

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