Visual roles

Visual roles tell Descript what kind of content a file or layer represents. When you apply or switch layouts, Descript uses visual roles to decide which content goes into which place in your scene. For example, a Talking Head placeholder looks for a Talking Head layer, not just any video layer.
 
Visual roles are assigned automatically upon upload, and in most cases, you shouldn't need to adjust them. However, if content is landing in the wrong place or disappearing when you apply a layout, incorrect visual roles are usually the cause.

This article covers:

Before getting started

This article is most relevant if you're building or editing custom layout packs. If you're using gallery layout packs without modifications, Descript manages visual roles automatically. Not sure what a layout pack is? Start here →

Available visual roles

Role Use for
Talking Head Speaker camera feeds. AI avatars are treated as Talking Head.
Screen Recording Screen shares and screen recordings.
Graphics Branded overlays, logos, and lower thirds.
B-Roll / Other Background video, B-Roll footage, and any media that doesn't fit another role.

How to change a file's visual role

You can change a file's visual role from the project files menu or from the layer properties panel.

From the project files menu

  1. Open the Project panel from the right-hand sidebar.
  2. Go to the Files section.
  3. Click the ellipsis button (...) next to the file you want to update.
  4. Select Change visual role.
  5. Choose a role from the list.

From the layer properties panel

  1. In the scene editor, select the layer you want to update.
  2. Open the Properties panel in the right-hand sidebar.
  3. Find the Visual role setting and choose a role from the dropdown.

Tips and limitations

  • Descript treats avatars as Talking Head by default — you don't need to set this manually.
  • Visual roles apply to media layers. Text layers and other non-media layers don't have a visual role.
  • Changing a file's visual role from the project file actions menu updates the role at the file level. This affects how the file is treated whenever it's added to a scene.
  • Locking bypasses matching entirely and preserves the layer as-is whenever a layout is applied. Learn about locking layers.