> 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-6.md).

# Import designs from other tools

Bring designs from Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects into Captivate, with the data hooks they need to stay drivable from live sources.

This chapter is for design teams that already produce graphics in Adobe tools and want to play them on air through Captivate. Photoshop (`.psd`) and Illustrator (`.eps`) imports are one-shot — the file lands in the Designer as a static graphic. After Effects has two distinct paths: native export bakes the composition into a Captivate title, while live render via Harmonizer keeps the `.aep` live and renders frames during the show. Pick the After Effects approach before you start; the prep work is different for each.

## What’s in this chapter

* [Import a Photoshop file](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/import-a-photoshop-file.md) — bring a layered `.psd` into the Designer: editable text, editable vector shapes, layer effects, and a review step that turns the right layers into variables before anything lands.
* [Import vector artwork as EPS](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/import-vector-artwork-as-eps.md) — bring a vector logo or shape in as an editable outline that scales, extrudes, and styles like a native shape layer.
* [Which After Effects approach to use](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/after-effects-which-approach.md) — start here to choose between native export (Approach A) and live render via Harmonizer (Approach B).
* [Prepare After Effects designs for import](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/preparing-your-after-effects-designs-for-import.md) — use this before you touch Captivate; it covers what an importable AE project needs.
* [After Effects: native export with the NewBlue plugin (Approach A)](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/after-effects-approach-a-native-export.md) — export the composition as a native Captivate title; After Effects is out of the loop after export.
* [After Effects: live render via Harmonizer (Approach B)](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/after-effects-approach-b-live-render.md) — keep the `.aep` (or `.mogrt`) live and let After Effects render frames during the show.
* [Import an After Effects design](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/importing-your-after-effects-design.md) — use this when the AE project is ready and you want it inside Captivate.
* [Link data to After Effects designs](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/linking-data-to-after-effects-designs.md) — use this after import to wire variables to live data.

## Related

* [Variables & linked data](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-4.md) — how variables work in native Captivate graphics.
* [Play and update graphics](/play-and-update-graphics/branch-index.md) — once the AE design has variables, drive it the same way as any other graphic.


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