Scenario
Find how channel tags control which layouts appear during generation and when to leave channels blank.
Use this reference when assigning channels to layouts or selecting channels before generating content. Understanding channel behavior ensures the Generator uses the correct layouts for your platform or context.
Channel tags in the Generator panel appear as clickable buttons below the prompt field, representing every channel assigned to at least one layout in your design.
Channel filtering behavior
|
|
Generator behavior |
|---|---|
|
Layout has no channels assigned |
The layout is universal and can be used in any generation, regardless of channel selection |
|
Layout has one or more channels assigned |
The layout is only used when at least one of its assigned channels is selected |
|
No channel is selected in Generator |
If at least one layout has no channels, generation runs with all layouts. Otherwise, you'll be prompted to select a channel |
|
Multiple channels are selected |
Only layouts that have all of the selected channels are included (AND filter, not OR) |
How channel selection works
When you select one or more channel buttons before generating, the system filters layouts based on your selection:
- The Generator only uses layouts tagged with all of the selected channels
- The LLM receives instructions to respect the channel filter and choose only from matching layouts
- The layout preview below the prompt updates in real time to show which layouts match your selection
Universal layouts with ‘Blank Channels’
Layouts with no channels assigned are treated as universal. These layouts remain eligible for generation regardless of which channel is selected. This is the default behavior when no filtering is applied.
Use Blank Channels for layouts that work across all platforms (ex, social media, print, and others) and shouldn't be restricted to specific contexts.
Channel assignment guidelines
- Start simple: Leave channels blank if you're unsure which channel a layout belongs to. You can always add channels later.
- Custom channels: Type a new name into the input field. The channel is saved automatically and becomes available for future use across all designs.
- Per-layout assignment: Channel tags apply to individual layouts, not entire designs. Different layouts in the same design can have different channels, allowing the system to select the right layout for the right platform.
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