How to Save and Export OBS Scene Collections
An OBS Scene Collection stores scenes and their sources, including layout arrangements. Use separate collections when you need different visual setups, such as a live layout and a clean recording layout.
A collection is different from a Profile, which stores stream, video, and output settings. You may need both to recreate a complete setup.
Create or switch collections
Open the Scene Collection menu at the top of OBS. Choose an existing collection to switch, or New to start another one.
Give it a recognizable name. For example, Content Recording is easier to identify during setup than several similarly named test collections.
Stop outputs before changing collections and check the active collection afterward. A collection may also contain global audio sources, so switching can affect more than the visible layout.
Duplicate before experimenting
Select your working collection and use Scene Collection → Duplicate. Rename the copy before changing cameras, filters, or layout structure.
This gives you a known version to return to if the redesign does not work. It is still sensible to export a backup before a major change or software update.
Export a collection
- 1.Select the collection you want to preserve.
- 2.Open Scene Collection → Export.
- 3.Save the exported configuration in a clear backup folder.
- 4.Keep the related media files and extension requirements with your backup records.
Use Import to add a saved collection to an OBS installation. Imported layouts should be checked before use rather than trusted unseen.
Preserve the dependencies
A scene collection is not a video archive or an installer for everything it references. Images, media files, fonts, plugins, and devices may still need to exist on the receiving computer.
After moving a collection, inspect missing-file warnings and reopen the properties of device sources. A camera name or audio device on the old computer may not match the new one.
Check the Profile too
Your layout can be correct while your output settings are wrong. Confirm the selected Profile, recording path, canvas size, streaming destination, and output quality separately.
Make a short recording with movement and audio after restoring a collection. If you also stream, test the destination through its supported workflow. That is a more complete check than simply seeing the collection's name in the menu.