# Layout Templates

Layout templates are arrangements of empty viewports. These can be later filled with channels and maps in your Macula Monitor application and later saved as layouts. Each template can be used any number of times for creating both local or shared layouts.

You can create your own, **custom layout templates** and then use them in any Macula Monitor applications connected to the target server.

To access layout templates via Macula Console, go to the *Configuration* section in the bottom left panel and select the *Layout templates* component in the menu on the left. Use the *Search* field in the upper-right-hand corner to filter existing items; press *Refresh* button to reload the item list.

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Click the *+ New layout template* button on the upper panel to bring up the configuration dialog box.

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Enter the template **name**, choose **grid size** and then **modify the grid**, if desired: you can select multiple cells at once with your mouse and then use the *Merge* and *Unmerge* buttons below to create custom cell combinations. Note that you can only create rectangular regions, not just any polygonal areas.

* For corridor view cameras, merge several cells vertically, so that the image fits the target viewport without much stretching/distortion
* For surround view cameras or 180/360-degree dewarp, merge a row of cells

When you have finished, click the *OK* button; the newly created layout template will appear in the item list and it will also appear in any connected Macula Monitor applications after synchronization.

Use the *Edit* button to alter any template at any time: modifications will immediately be synchronized with Macula Monitor after you save the changes and modified templates will be available for use. However, if the modified layout was already in use, its current output will not be altered, allowing you to save the old layout in Macula Monitor. Drag and drop the new layout template to the Macula Monitor live view display to load the updated template version.