> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/control-your-show/chapter-index/pre-cache-graphics-before-a-show.md).
# Pre-cache graphics before a show
Render graphics and their variable values before a live production so nothing renders on air. Pre-caching matters most for complex After Effects designs, which have longer render times and heavier system demands.
Captivate can pre-cache values for native graphic layers and for After Effects layers. Each pre-cached value set is stored as a row in the **Values Grid** tab, ready to play during the broadcast.
## Topics included
* [Pre-cache your graphic layers](#pre-cache-your-graphic-layers)
* [Pre-cache your spreadsheet data](#pre-cache-your-spreadsheet-data)
* [Manage your Values Grid](#manage-your-values-grid)
## Pre-cache your graphic layers
1. Choose the graphic layer you would like to pre-cache.
2. Open the **Live Values** tab in the Properties panel.
3. Adjust any values you would like to pre-cache for broadcast.
4. Click the **Add to Values Grid** button on the Live Values tab. The current variable values are snapshotted as a new row in the Values Grid, ready for playing live during broadcast.
{% hint style="info" %}
Renders for all values in the Values Grid are saved in the same directory as your Captivate project. They are recalled the next time you open the project.
{% endhint %}
## Pre-cache your spreadsheet data
1. Choose the graphic layer connected to the spreadsheet you would like to pre-cache.
2. Open the tab named after the Data Controller that’s bound to this layer (for example, **Spreadsheet: \**) in the Properties panel.
3. Click **Send All to Cache**.
{% hint style="info" %}
To cache a single row instead, click that row, then choose **OK**. The pre-cached values appear in your Values Grid, ready for playing live during broadcast.
{% endhint %}
## Manage your Values Grid
Use the Values Grid to control which data is visualized in your live layers, similarly to operating a connected Data Controller. For the full runtime workflow, see [Values Grid](/control-your-show/chapter-index/values-grid.md).
1. In the Project List, select the layer you wish to control.
2. Open the **Values Grid** tab in the Properties panel.
3. Click in any row of the Values Grid to queue that set of values for the selected layer. The values are shown in Preview.
**📌 NOTE**\
Values in on-air graphics update in two ways:
* If **Auto Update** is enabled, the selected row of values plays in the live graphic immediately.
* If **Manually Update** is selected, use the  button to send the selected values on air with animations, or the  button to update the graphic while bypassing animations.
**💡 TIP**\
Right-click a row to **Insert Row Above**. To delete a row from the Values Grid, right-click it and choose **Remove Row**.
To save the project together with its cache, choose **File** > **Save Project As…**, then in the Save dialog’s **Save as type** dropdown pick **Captivate project with Assets**. The cache is bundled into the saved project.
Your saved project can be opened in Captivate and broadcast on a machine that does not have After Effects installed. The values will not be available to update live, however.
## Related
* [Values Grid](/control-your-show/chapter-index/values-grid.md) — operate the grid during the show.
* [Values Grid tab](/get-started/chapter-index-2/values-grid-tab-reference.md) — the panel-controls reference.
* [Which After Effects approach to use](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/after-effects-which-approach.md) — where pre-caching fits in the AE workflow.
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