How to Create Scenes and Add Sources in Open Broadcaster Software Studio: a Comprehensive Guide
In the world of streaming and video production, open broadcaster software studio has become a go-to tool for both amateurs and professionals alike. Its flexibility and powerful features allow users to create stunning live streams and recordings with relative ease. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of creating scenes and adding sources in open broadcaster software studio, specifically using version 18.0.1 on Microsoft Windows ten operating system. Whether you are a gamer, educator, or content creator, mastering these skills will elevate your streaming game.
Learning the Interface
When you first open open broadcaster software studio, you will notice a clean interface divided into several sections. On the left side, you have the Scenes panel, where you can create and manage different scenes for your stream or recording. On the right side, you will find the Sources panel, which allows you to add various media types to your scenes.
Before diving into the specifics of creating scenes, it is important to mention that open broadcaster software studio typically operates in a default mode that may not show all the options available. In order to enable the studio mode, you will want to simply click on the studio Mode button. This will allow you to see a preview of your scene on the left and the live view on the right, making it easier to manage transitions and monitor what your audience will see.
Creating Your First Scene
In order to create a new scene, you will want to click the plus (+) sign in the Scenes panel. You will be prompted to name your scene. It is advisable to choose a descriptive name in order to avoid confusion later, especially if you plan to create multiple scenes. For this demonstration, let us name our scene Droid Cam, which will include a Google Android video camera feed and a Mozilla Firefox web browser display.
Adding Sources to Your Scene
Now that you have your scene created, it is time to add sources. You will want to click on the plus (+) sign in the Sources panel. Here, you will find multiple options such as:
- Audio Input Capture: For capturing audio from your microphone.
- Video Capture Device: For adding a webcam or camcorder.
- Window Capture: For capturing a specific application window, like your web browser.
- Browser Source: For displaying a specific uniform resource locator, ideal for websites or online content.
- Media Source: For including video files you have previously recorded.
For our Droid Cam scene, we will start by adding a Video Capture Device. You will want to select this option and name it accordingly. After clicking on OK, you will be prompted to choose from the available video devices. You will want to select the Droid Cam feed, and then you can ensure that the Make Source Visible option is checked.
Adjusting the Source Properties
Once the video source is added, you may want to adjust its properties. Depending on your video camera, you might have additional settings to configure. However, for many users, the default settings will suffice. You can then click on OK in order to finalize your setup.
At this point, your scene's left panel will show your camera feed, but remember that it will not appear live until you hit the Transition button. This action will make your video camera feed visible on the right side, which is what your audience will see.
Adding a Web Browser Source
Next, let us add a web browser to our scene. You will want to click on the plus (+) sign in the Sources panel again and select Window Capture. You can then name it Firefox as an example in order to keep things organized. If you have multiple web browsers open, you will want to make sure to select the correct one from the dropdown menu.
After clicking on OK, you will have additional options to capture the cursor if desired. I generally prefer to capture the cursor, as it provides context for the viewers. Once you finalize, you will see the Mozilla Firefox window in your scene.
Layering and Positioning Sources
Now that you have both a video camera and a web browser window in your scene, you may need to organize their layering. By default, the last source you added will be on top. In order to move your video camera feed above the browser, you will want to select the camera source and click the Move Up button.
If you want to resize or reposition any source, you can remove that lock by right-clicking and removing the check in that Lock Preview option. You can then drag or resize the source as needed. If necessary, you can align it to your preference and lock it again in order to avoid accidental adjustments during your live stream.
Transitioning Between Scenes
Now that you have created your Droid Cam scene with both a video feed and a web browser source, it is time to discuss transitions. You can create additional scenes in the same way, but keep in mind that open broadcaster software studio allows you to transition between two scenes at a time.
In order to switch between scenes, you can simply select the desired scene and hit the Transition button. This will switch your live feed to the selected scene. It is important to note that if you keep pressing the Transition button, it may only cycle through the first two scenes except in instances when you manually select the one you want to transition to.
Adding More Sources
If you wish to add even more sources, such as additional video camera feeds or media files, you can do so by repeating the process of clicking the plus (+) sign in the Sources panel. You can have multiple cameras, images, and even pre-recorded videos within the same scene.
In order to add an existing device, you can simply select Add Existing from the source options and choose the device you previously set up. Remember to lock the preview after adjusting your sources to maintain your layout.
Adjusting Source Properties
Should you need to adjust any source properties, you will want to right-click on the source and select Properties. This will allow you to fine-tune settings like resolution, frames per second, and audio options.
For example, if you want to modify your webcamera settings, you can often configure video settings directly from the properties menu. This can include adjusting brightness, contrast, and resolution in order to ensure you look your best on camera.
Conclusion
Creating scenes and adding sources in open broadcaster software studio empowers you to produce high-quality live video streams and recordings tailored to your specific needs. With practice, you will become adept at managing multiple sources, layering them effectively, and transitioning seamlessly between scenes.
Whether you are streaming gameplay, conducting a webinar, or just sharing your thoughts on a topic, open broadcaster software studio offers a robust platform in order to engage your audience. You may want to take the time to explore its features and functionalities, and soon you will be creating professional-quality broadcasts with ease.
Feel free to share your experiences or questions about using open broadcaster software studio in the chatroom on the videos page! Happy streaming!