Layouts with layers

Mar 27, 2023

I am still wrapping my head around Slide Masters and Layouts. None of it is intuitive, so fast forward through a few YouTube videos and I'm sort of getting the hang of it. However...

My "main" layout, which I will use for the vast majority of slides in the course, needs to contain about four layers. I created the layout successfully, but when I go to apply it to a new slide, only the base layer comes over. 

How do I make a layout with multiple layers in it and use that when creating new slides? Or if that can't be done, what is the best practice for this use case?

2 Replies
Judy Nollet

For a Slide Master Layout, you can add a layer (or layers), and add triggers to show those layers. 

However, when you're editing a slide with such a layout, you don't have access to the layer(s) in the Master Layout. 

Here's what I suggest you do: 

  • Create a Master Layout to suit "the vast majority of slides in the course." 
  • Add a new slide with that layout. 
    • Enter "Set-up Slide" as the title
    • Enter ipsum-lorem or other bogus text (e.g., "text here") in the other placeholders.
  • Add the layer(s) you'll need for most of the slides
    • Add the text boxes and/or shapes that will likely be used. Again, just use bogus text.)
  • Add the appropriate triggers.
  • Duplicate that slide as needed to create the slides in your course. 

TIP: I find it convenient to create an extra scene called "Storage" and put my set-up slide(s) there. That scene can be deleted before publishing, or kept for future use (since it's not linked to the actual course content). 

Jim Owen

Ha! Thank you! That is EXACTLY how I've been doing it up till now, but today I decided I should tow the line and finally figure out and use the tools Articulate has built for us.

So much for that....

Gotta say, part of me is a little relieved that I was sort of doing it the way I ought to have been doing it all along!

Thanks again!