To switch scenes in OBS, select the scene in the Scenes dock, or assign a keyboard shortcut under Settings → Hotkeys. To build a custom layout, add sources to a scene and arrange them in the preview. Use Studio Mode when you want to prepare a scene change before viewers see it.
Scenes, sources, and layouts: what each OBS term means
- Scene: A composition of visual and audio sources—for example, a starting screen, gameplay view, or break screen.
- Source: An input or element inside a scene, such as a display capture, webcam, image, browser page, media file, text, or audio input. Source availability varies by operating system and source type.
- Scene Collection: A saved group of scenes and their sources, useful for keeping separate shows or setups organized. Global audio sources are included.
- Profile: A saved set of stream, video, and output settings. Profiles do not save scenes; Scene Collections do not save output settings.
- Studio Mode: A production view that lets you edit a scene separately from the one currently live.
These distinctions matter when organizing OBS: a new scene changes the composition, a Scene Collection saves the scene setup, and a Profile saves output-related configuration. OBS’s official documentation explains the OBS Studio workflow, Scene Collections, and Profiles. Interface labels and available features can vary by installed OBS release.
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Build a custom scene layout
1. Create a scene for each distinct moment
In the Scenes dock, create and clearly name a scene for each view you need. Common examples include a welcome screen, desktop, game, break, and ending. Distinct scenes make it easier to change the entire composition without rebuilding it during a stream.
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Select the scene, then use the + button in the Sources dock to add its inputs. Depending on your platform and setup, OBS supports sources such as display or window capture, game capture on Windows, video capture devices for webcams and capture cards, images, browser pages, media, text, and audio. The OBS Sources Guide describes the available source types and controls.
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A capture card is only relevant if you need to bring a console or external camera into OBS and your device setup requires one; scene switching and custom layouts do not inherently require additional hardware.
3. Arrange, layer, and crop elements
Move and resize sources in the preview, or use Edit Transform when you need precise positioning. The order of sources in the Sources list controls their layering: sources higher in the list render above lower ones and can cover them. Use the eye control beside a source to hide or show it.
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To crop a source directly in the preview, hold Alt while dragging on Windows or Linux, or Option while dragging on macOS. For additional transform and crop controls, see the official Sources Guide.
Switch scenes during a stream or recording
Select a scene directly
Click the scene you want in the Scenes dock. This is the simplest way to change views. If you are not using Studio Mode, selecting a scene changes the active composition directly.
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Assign a scene hotkey
- Open Settings → Hotkeys.
- Find the Switch to [scene] action for the scene you want to control.
- Assign a keyboard shortcut and apply the settings.
- Test the shortcut before going live, including whether another application or action uses the same key combination.
Prepare changes with Studio Mode
Enable Studio Mode when you need to adjust a scene without showing those edits to viewers. OBS displays an edit scene on the left and the live scene on the right; prepare the next view on the edit side, then click Transition to take it live. You can also use a configured Quick Transition or its hotkey. OBS describes Studio Mode as allowing scene changes in the background before they are shown to viewers; see the official overview.
Choose a transition and duration
The Scene Transitions area controls how OBS moves between scenes. Cut switches immediately, while Fade blends between views. The OBS overview also documents options such as Swipe, Slide, Fade to color, and Luma Wipe, though available transitions may change between releases. Choose a transition and duration that suit the show, then preview it before relying on it live.
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Save scenes separately from output settings
Save your setup as a Scene Collection when you want to preserve its scenes and sources. Create or choose a separate Profile when stream service, canvas resolution, or output settings need to differ. OBS allows Profiles and Scene Collections to be mixed; they store different things. Its guides cover Scene Collections and Profiles.
Test the layout before going live
Make a short recording or stream test before using a new setup in a live session. Confirm that the intended scene is active, sources appear in the correct order, devices and audio work, and transitions behave as expected. OBS recommends a brief test in its Quick Start Guide.
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- Check that the correct scene is selected or prepared in Studio Mode.
- Verify that sources are visible, positioned, and layered as intended.
- Confirm that capture devices and audio sources work.
- Test each assigned hotkey and transition.
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Quick Recap
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