Visual Template Editor

The visual template editor is a built-in design tool that lets you create sign and asset templates directly inside Plotstuff. Instead of designing artwork in external software like Illustrator or Figma, you can build your templates right where your asset data lives.

Templates are linked to asset types, so every asset of a given type shares the same visual layout. Dynamic fields in the template pull data from each individual asset — meaning one template can generate hundreds of unique artwork files, each with the correct name, code, and content.

Every element you add to the template is a layer. Layers can be reordered, grouped, and individually styled. The layers panel on the left shows your entire layer stack and lets you select, lock, hide, or reorder layers by dragging.

For complex sign designs, use background rectangles as base layers, add text fields on top, and place icons or images as accent elements. Keeping your layers organised makes it much easier to make changes later.

Dynamic text fields are the key feature that makes the template editor powerful. When you add a text element, you can bind it to an asset data field. At export time, each asset's unique data is injected into the template, producing a custom artwork file.

For example, a room sign template might have a dynamic text field bound to the Name field. When the template is applied to an asset named "Conference Room A", the exported artwork will show "Conference Room A" in that text position. Another asset named "Staff Kitchen" will show "Staff Kitchen" — all from the same template.