Applying a layout to a scene in Descript

Descript Try it →Watch full video →Learn Descript with Ross · Dec 2025

Demo summary

The user demonstrates how to apply a pre-made intro layout to a scene, showing how 'smart filling layers' automatically update text based on the video content.

Step-by-step

Click into the scene you want to modify
Open the Properties panel on the right side
Locate the Layout section
Select your layout pack
Click on the specific layout you want to apply

Options

Apply an intro layout
Apply a subtitle layer layout

Watch out for

You must have a pre-made layout pack created to select from the layout section

Tips

Use smart filling layers to automatically populate text based on the video content

All demos from “Simple Guide to Descript's New Layouts”

0:500:47Applying a layout to a scene in DescriptCurrentThe user demonstrates how to apply a pre-made intro layout to a scene, showing how 'smart filling layers' automatically update text based on the video content.Descript· AI Video Editor
1:504:10Creating and customizing a Layout PackThe video shows the step-by-step process of creating a new layout pack in Descript, including selecting color schemes, setting brand fonts, and naming the pack.Descript· AI Video Editor
17:350:52Creating a screen recording layoutThe video shows how to position a webcam overlay in a circle and flip the image before saving the configuration as a reusable screen recording layout.Descript· AI Video Recording
Watch “Simple Guide to Descript's New Layouts” →

AI Video Editor

0:430:16Text-based video editing in DescriptThe user demonstrates how deleting a sentence from the automatically generated transcript in Descript simultaneously removes the corresponding footage from the video timeline.Learn Online Video
1:130:15Remove filler words with UnderlordThe video shows the Underlord AI assistant in Descript automatically detecting and deleting filler words like 'ums' and 'likes' from a talking head video.Learn Online Video
1:460:24AI Eye Contact correction in DescriptA demonstration of Descript's Eye Contact feature which digitally adjusts the speaker's eyes to look directly at the camera even when they are reading from a script.Learn Online Video
2:310:43Adding B-roll and sound effects from Descript libraryThe creator searches and inserts stock waterfall footage and cinematic sound effects directly from Descript's built-in media archive.Learn Online Video
3:270:28Generate AI images in DescriptThe user types a text prompt for a 'chicken salad' into Descript's Generate Image tool to create a custom visual asset for the video.Learn Online Video
2:261:10Text-based video editing in DescriptThe creator demonstrates how to upload a video and edit it by highlighting and deleting text from the automatically generated transcript, which removes the corresponding video footage.Vince Opra
4:330:36Using the Blade tool on the timelineThe video shows how to use the Blade tool (shortcut B) to manually split clips on the timeline and delete specific segments.Vince Opra
7:150:46Remove filler words with Underlord AIThe demonstration shows Descript's Underlord AI identifying and batch-deleting filler words like 'um' and 'uh' from a recording.Vince Opra
10:570:32Add automated captions to videoThe demonstration shows how to apply and customize dynamic captions to a video project using Descript's built-in captioning styles.Vince Opra
0:310:40Correct eye contact with Descript AIThe creator demonstrates the 'Eye Contact' feature in Descript, which digitally adjusts his eyes to look at the camera lens even while he is reading a script off-screen.Done By Lunch
1:110:25Shorten word gaps in DescriptThe user shows how to use the 'Shorten word gaps' tool to automatically identify and remove silences longer than one second across a 14-minute video file.Done By Lunch
1:360:40Remove retakes automatically in DescriptThe 'Remove retake' feature is shown identifying repeated phrases in a transcript and automatically selecting the best take to keep while ignoring the others.Done By Lunch