Designing Wall Art Layouts

NOTE: This feature is available in the Essential, Professional, and Enterprise versions of both Spectra and Stratus Desktop.

Wall Art Layouts are templates that can be used to display image groupings on a picture of an actual wall.  

Key Points #

• Wall layouts can only include drop zone layers (no image or text layers).

Designing a Wall Art Layout #

1. Go to Tools > Design Tools > Digital Template Builder.

2. Open the Wall Art Layouts set from the drop-down list.

   

3. If desired, create groups to organize your layouts. To create a new layout group, click New Group on the ribbon.

• Enter the Group Name.
• Active/Inactive –  Check the box to make the layout group inactive. An inactive group will not be available for use.
• Choose Starting On and/or Hide After dates. For example, use these dates to keep a group of layouts hidden until a certain date. Note: The group must remain Active in order for these dates to remain in effect.

4. Click New Template to create a new wall art layout.

5. Give the layout a name and enter the overall dimensions. Click OK when done.

   

6. The new layout template will start out with just a background layer.

7. Click New Drop Zone on the ribbon to add your first drop zone layer.

8. Give the zone a name (optional) and enter the width and height of the zone. Tip: For best results, use your standard print sizes (i.e., 11×14, 20×24, 20×20, etc.)!

   
   

9. Use your mouse to position the drop zone approximately where you want it. Use the Location fields in the Properties list (lower-right panel) to place it precisely where you want it.

   

10. Add additional drop zones to create your wall grouping. Highlight each drop zone layer in the Elements list (upper-right panel) and adjust the size and location. Note: By default, new layers are centered in the layout (they may appear on top of a previous layer).

    

11. Click Save Template to save your wall art layout.

12. Close the Digital Template Designer when finished.

Example Wall Art Layout #

Here’s the finished layout template. The center zone is 24 x 36 and the two side zones are 16 x 24.

Here’s what it looks like in the workflow, complete with the customer’s wall and images!

Using Wall Art #

Once you’ve designed your layouts, you’re ready to use them! To learn how to create custom wall art for your clients, read Using Wall Art.