PixCrowd Announcements — User Guide

Overview

Announcements let event organizers display messages, images, and important notices on PixCrowd Wall Displays. Use them to welcome guests, announce dinner, share special messages, or communicate important information during an event.

An announcement temporarily takes over the entire Wall Display. After its configured duration, the Wall automatically returns to its previous content. Announcements can be created and edited ahead of time.

1. Managing Announcements

Open your event in PixCrowd Hub and select Announcements. The page lists announcements with a thumbnail, internal name, text preview (when applicable), and display duration.

Use the search field to find announcements by name, or switch between grid and list views.

Select an announcement to access:

• Edit — Open the Announcement Editor.
• Show on Wall — Display the announcement when the event is open to guests.
• More options (⋯) — Access additional management actions.

Creating an Announcement

1. Click Add announcement.
2. Open the Announcement Editor.
3. Enter an internal name.
4. Design the announcement with text, shapes, and artwork.
5. Configure the display duration.
6. Click Save changes.

2. Announcement Editor

The editor uses a 16:9 landscape canvas for televisions and monitors. It includes a design canvas, three tabs (Announcement, Layers, Properties), and an On the Wall preview.

Add elements using the toolbar:

• Headline — Prominent titles and messages.
• Text — Supporting information.
• Shape — Decorative shapes and panels.
• Artwork — Images, illustrations, and graphics.

The canvas represents the entire Wall screen while the announcement is displayed; no slideshow or other event content appears behind it.

3. Announcement Settings

Open the Announcement tab.

Name

Enter an internal name, such as Dinner is served or Welcome announcement. The name is not displayed on the Wall.

Background

Choose the background color behind the announcement's elements.

Text and Shapes

Choose the default color for text and shapes. Use sufficient contrast against the background.

How Long It Stays Up

Enter the number of seconds the announcement remains visible. For example, 30 displays it for 30 seconds. The Wall then resumes its previous content automatically.

4. Layers

The Layers tab lists the announcement's individual elements, such as headlines, shapes, and artwork.

Select a layer to edit it in Properties. Use stacking controls to position elements in front of or behind each other. You can also lock or remove selected elements.

5. Headline Properties

Select a Headline element, then open Properties.

Headline Text

Enter the text to display. It wraps to fit its box and shrinks as needed to avoid overflow. Press Enter to insert a deliberate line break.

Alignment

• Horizontal: Left, Centre, Right.
• Vertical: Top, Middle, Bottom.

Size and Style

Use the Size slider to adjust the headline size; its setting is shown as a percentage. Available styles are Bold, Italic, Underline, and All Caps.

Stacking Order and Actions

• Bring Forward — Move the headline ahead of other elements.
• Send Back — Move it behind other elements.
• Lock — Prevent accidental changes.
• Remove — Delete the headline.

6. Artwork Properties

Select an Artwork element and open Properties.

• Bring Forward — Move the artwork forward in the stacking order.
• Send Back — Move it backward.
• Lock — Protect it from accidental changes.
• Remove — Delete it.

Artwork can be used for full-screen images, logos, illustrations, and decorative graphics. For a background image, place it behind the text and lock it after positioning.

7. Shape Properties

Select a shape and open Properties.

• Shape — Choose the shape type (for example, Rectangle).
• Fill — Set the interior color, including theme-color options.
• Outline — Set the border color separately from the fill.
• Outline weight — Adjust border thickness with a slider.
• Opacity — Adjust transparency: 100% is opaque, 50% is partially transparent, and 0% is transparent.
• Bring Forward / Send Back — Adjust stacking order.
• Lock — Prevent accidental changes.
• Remove — Delete the shape.

Tip: A semi-transparent rectangle behind a headline can improve readability over a busy image.

8. Previewing an Announcement

The On the Wall preview shows how the announcement will look on a Wall Display. Check text readability, artwork placement, contrast, spacing, and overall composition. The preview represents the full-screen announcement, without the event slideshow behind it.

9. Showing an Announcement on the Wall

When the event is open to guests:

1. Open Announcements in PixCrowd Hub.
2. Select a saved announcement.
3. Review its preview.
4. Click Show on Wall.

The announcement takes over the entire Wall Display for its configured duration, then the Wall returns to its previous content.

10. Announcements in Preview Mode

Announcements can be created, edited, and saved while an event is in Preview mode, but cannot be shown on a Wall Display during Preview.

• PixCrowd displays a message explaining that announcements cannot be shown.
• The Show on Wall button is disabled.
• Organizers can continue preparing announcements.

Once the event is open to guests, Show on Wall becomes available.

Important: PixCrowd Quizzes support a Rehearse mode during event Preview; Announcements do not support Wall playback during Preview.

11. Design Tips

• Keep messages short. Guests may only see them for a few seconds.
• Use high contrast. Ensure text stands out from the background.
• Use large text. Announcements may be viewed from across a room.
• Leave margins. Keep important information away from screen edges.
• Follow the event theme. Coordinate colors and artwork with other PixCrowd experiences.
• Prepare in advance. Create messages such as Welcome!, Dinner is served, Please take your seats, and Thank you for celebrating with us!

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create announcements before my event starts? Yes. You can create, edit, and save them during Preview.

Can I show announcements during Preview? No. PixCrowd displays a restriction message and disables Show on Wall.

Does an announcement replace the slideshow? Temporarily. It takes over the full Wall screen for the configured duration.

What happens after it finishes? The Wall automatically resumes its previous content.

Can I use images instead of text? Yes. Add an Artwork element.

Can I combine text and images? Yes. An announcement can include headlines, text, shapes, and artwork.

Can I change how long it appears? Yes. Change How long it stays up on the Announcement tab.

Is the announcement name visible to guests? No. It is an internal identifier in PixCrowd Hub.

Summary

PixCrowd Announcements help organizers communicate with guests using Wall Displays. Prepare and customize messages ahead of time, then show them when the event is open to guests. Each announcement temporarily takes over the Wall and automatically returns it to its previous content when finished.