Overlays are how your LIGR Live graphics reach the screen. An overlay belongs to a single match and carries your scorebug, line-ups, lower thirds and other graphics into your broadcast. This guide is for anyone producing a match, from league media teams to club volunteers. It walks you through the whole overlay workflow in order so your graphics are ready before you go live.

Overlays Full Walkthrough

[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER: Overlays_Full_Walkthrough_v2.0.mp4]

What is an overlay?

An overlay is the graphics layer that sits on top of your match video. You create it for a specific match in the Matches tab, so it knows which teams are playing and which match data to show. For example, an overlay for Harbour City (HCF) v Ridgeview (RVR) in the LIGR Demo League shows graphics for that match only.

Each overlay has its own settings, such as watermarks, auto background, ads and templates. It also has links you use to bring the graphics into your production and to check what is on air. Overlays work best on LIGR streams, where your graphics and video come together in one place.

Before you start

Your organisation needs the Graphics module. Themes and overlays are part of Broadcast Graphics.
Your match should already be set up. The usual order is Competition, Venue, Club and Team, the second Club and Team, then the Match.
It helps to have a theme profile ready for your competition in the Themes tab, so your graphics look the way you want.

The overlay workflow

Follow these steps in order. Each step has its own short article and video if you want more detail.

1. Add an overlay to a match

Everything starts in the Matches tab. Find your match and add an overlay to it. Because the overlay is linked to the match, it can pull in the teams and match details automatically. Each match needs its own overlay, so repeat this step for every match you want to broadcast with graphics.

2. Set up your overlay

Once the overlay exists, choose the settings that control how it looks and behaves. This is where you work through options such as the template, auto background and ads. Take a moment to check each setting before match day, as these choices shape what viewers see on screen.

3. Show or hide watermarks

Watermarks are logos or marks that sit on the screen throughout the broadcast. You can choose whether an overlay shows them or not. Use them when you want consistent branding on screen, and hide them when you want a cleaner picture.

4. Find your overlays on the Matches table

After you add overlays, the Matches table shows you which matches have them. This is your quick way to check that every upcoming match is ready and to jump back into an overlay when you need it. It is worth a quick scan before a busy round so nothing gets missed.

5. Preview your graphics

Before you go live, preview the graphics on your overlay. Previewing lets you confirm that the right theme, team details and settings are coming through. If something looks wrong, fix it now rather than during the match.

6. Get your overlay links

Each overlay has links you use on match day. The production URL brings your graphics into the broadcast. The monitoring URL lets you or your team keep an eye on what the overlay is showing. Copy the right link for the job and keep it handy before kick-off.

7. Edit an overlay

Plans change. You can go back into an overlay at any time to update its settings, for example to switch watermarks on or off or adjust ads. Editing the existing overlay keeps it linked to the same match, so you do not need to start again.

What comes next

With your overlay ready, the next step is to add a stream and go live. If your organisation has the Streaming module, you can set up your stream in the Streaming tab and choose your overlay there, so your graphics appear on your LIGR stream.

Tips and common mistakes

Set up overlays well before match day. A last-minute change is much easier when the basics are already in place.
Always preview your graphics before going live. It is the quickest way to catch the wrong theme or missing details.
Check you are working on the right match. If two matches look similar on the Matches table, confirm the teams and date before you edit.
Use the right link for the right job. The production URL is for your broadcast output, and the monitoring URL is for checking what is on screen.
If you cannot add an overlay, check that your organisation has the Graphics module and that your role has access.

Overlays: Full Walkthrough