How do I set up multiple scenes in OBS?
Organize your stream with separate OBS scenes for gameplay, BRB screens, starting soon, and end screens — and switch between them smoothly.
What Are Scenes in OBS?
Scenes are like pages in a slideshow — each one holds its own set of sources (game, webcam, overlays, text). Streamers use multiple scenes to switch between gameplay, a Be Right Back screen, a starting soon countdown, and an end screen without rebuilding layouts mid-stream.
Step 1 — Plan Your Scenes
Before creating anything, list the scenes you need. A typical beginner setup includes:
- Starting Soon — countdown or music before you go live
- Live / Gameplay — game capture plus webcam and overlays
- BRB — static image or animation when you step away
- Ending — thank-you screen with social links
Step 2 — Create Scenes
In the Scenes panel, click the + button and name your first scene. Repeat for each layout you planned. Click a scene name to switch the preview — only the active scene goes live when you stream.
Step 3 — Add Sources to Each Scene
Each scene has its own independent source list. Your Gameplay scene might have Game Capture, Webcam, and alert overlays. Your BRB scene might only have a full-screen image and a text source saying "Back in 5 minutes." Build each scene separately.
Step 4 — Reuse Sources with Scene Collections
If you want the same webcam settings across scenes, right-click a source and choose Duplicate, or add the same device fresh in each scene. For advanced reuse, explore Source Projector or third-party tools — but duplicating is fine for beginners.
Step 5 — Switch Scenes During Stream
Click a scene in the Scenes panel to switch instantly. For smoother transitions, go to Settings → Advanced and enable Studio Mode, which gives you a preview window so you can confirm a scene before pushing it live.
Scene Organization Tips
- Name scenes clearly — avoid "Scene 1" and "Scene 2"
- Use Studio Mode to preview before going live
- Keep a dedicated BRB scene so you never leave a dead air feed
- Assign hotkeys to scene switches for hands-free control
Multiple scenes are the backbone of a polished stream — invest ten minutes setting them up and you will look far more professional from day one.