Show Projector Outlines on Outputs

Last updated 3 November 2026

When multiple projectors overlap, it can be hard to tell which projector covers what. Projector Outlines tint each output in its projector's colour and draw the neighbouring projectors' edges, so you can see the overlap at a glance on the physical outputs.

Recent addition — Enable Projector Outlines was added in late October 2026. If you do not see the checkbox, update Backstage.

Before you start

  • At least two projectors in the scene, with overlapping coverage on a surface
  • Projectors routed to outputs (the outlines appear on the physical outputs, not in the 3D view)

Steps

1. Select the scene group

In the Scene Objects window, select the scene group that contains your projectors. The Inspector shows the group's properties.

2. Enable Projector Outlines

In the Inspector, expand Output Settings and tick Enable Projector Outlines.

3. Read the outputs

Each physical output is now tinted in its projector's colour across the area the projector's Masking leaves visible. If no Masking is set, the entire output is tinted. The tint follows the warp mesh, so what you see matches the final projected image.

On top of the tint, every output also draws the other projectors' footprints:

  • Solid line — the frame edge of a neighbouring projector's output.

  • Dashed line — the edge of that projector's output mask.

Each neighbour's outline is drawn in that projector's colour. Where two projectors overlap, the colours mix. The tint is faint by design so content behind it remains visible.

4. Change a projector's colour (optional)

Each projector is assigned a colour when it is created. To change it, select the projector in the Scene Objects window. In the Inspector, use the Color picker. The outline and tint update immediately.

5. Turn it off

Untick Enable Projector Outlines when you are done. The outputs return to normal rendering.

Routing hover highlight — separately from Projector Outlines, hovering a routed output in the Video Routing window draws a thick border in the projector's colour on the physical output. This works independently of the Projector Outlines checkbox and only appears for routed outputs.

Common Mistakes

  • Nothing visible on the outputs — the projectors must be routed to physical outputs first. Projector Outlines draw on the output signal, not in the 3D viewport.

  • Checkbox not visible — make sure a scene group is selected in the Scene Objects window, not a projector or surface, and that you are on a recent Backstage build.

Tips

  • Use Projector Outlines after initial placement and before fine-tuning blending. The overlap map tells you whether projectors need repositioning before you invest time in blend masks.

  • The dashed mask line is particularly useful for verifying that soft-edge masking does not cut into content. If the dashed line sits inside another projector's solid line, that region is masked but still overlapped.

  • Choose distinct, saturated colours for your projectors. The faint tint is easier to read when the colours are far apart in hue.

Blend Multiple Projectors — setting up blend masks and soft edges between overlapping projectors.

Route Projectors and Displays to Outputs (Video Routing) — connecting projectors and displays to physical outputs.

Panoramic Projection - Projection Wizard — building a multi-projector panorama with the Projection Wizard.

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