> 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/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-3/create-custom-designs-with-flexible-durations.md).

# Create custom designs with flexible durations

This article describes how to create a graphic operators can play for a specific duration or indefinitely, without trimming or altering playback speed.

**How does it work?** A graphic’s timeline includes a pause point, identified by the orange indicator above the timeline.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cbb86ad65d68dd60293a5001993650b2bcb8de2d%2Fimage_4557.png?alt=media" alt="Timeline pause"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

When an operator plays a graphic indefinitely, Captivate pauses on the pause-point frame and displays it while the broadcast continues. When the operator stops playback, the graphic resumes its remaining duration to animate out.

## Marker types

Right-click the timeline ruler to add a marker. The Designer supports five marker types:

* **Pause Point** — the title holds here until you trigger the out cue. The most common marker.
* **Transition Midpoint** — synchronizes a mid-transition keyframe, for example when matching an in/out transition pair.
* **Fade In Endpoint** — marks where the fade-in completes.
* **Fade Out Startpoint** — marks where the fade-out begins.
* **Custom** — an author-named marker you can reference from animation timing.
  1. In Captivate’s playout interface, add a graphic layer to the channel.
  2. Select the layer and click **Edit Graphic**. The layer opens in the Designer.
  3. Set the graphic’s fixed duration by clicking the **Timeline** field near the bottom-right corner of the canvas, and enter a duration in MM:SS;FF format.

     <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-849b6c7406301d3a079471d32dd5cc5e28ebceb7%2Fimage_1303.png?alt=media" alt="Timeline field"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
  4. Customize the graphic’s layers, animations, and durations.
  5. Reposition or adjust layer durations so all animations end before the pause point or start after it.

     **❗ IMPORTANT**\
     If an animation overlaps the pause point, the graphic may not appear as you intend.
* **Adjust the pause point** — drag it above the timeline so it doesn’t overlap animations.
* **Adjust animation durations** — drag the left or right side of an animation so it doesn’t overlap the pause point.

  <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ef48825f5bdf33dd043ada4076532825ebaedc90%2Fimage_4323.png?alt=media" alt="Layers and pause"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

  1\. Preview using the play button below the canvas and adjust if needed. 2. Click \*\*Keep changes\*\* in the bottom-right corner of the Timeline workspace.

  <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b8e3cac6067135d97bd2a964d64a0fb63ec9b7e0%2Fimage_135.png?alt=media" alt="Keep changes"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

  3\. Later, in the Project List, use the \*\*Duration\*\* column to customize how long the graphic remains paused. Setting duration to \`00:00;00\` keeps the graphic paused indefinitely until the operator clicks play.

  <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-57cd5fd49d48820c78ac0848f33daafeaa5299ce%2Fimage_1773.png?alt=media" alt="Layer Duration"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

  <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-882a0ff818df4b8f044867075b01dc00e10003a9%2Fimage_2828.png?alt=media" alt="Play button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Related articles

* [Loop videos and animations in a graphic](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-3/loop-videos-and-animations-in-a-graphic.md)


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