> 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/after-effects-which-approach.md).

# Which After Effects approach to use

> *Availability — included in Broadcast and Enterprise. Available for Sport as the After Effects Import add-on.*

Captivate ships two ways to use After Effects designs:

* **Approach A — native export**: a NewBlue plugin inside After Effects exports the composition as a native Captivate title. After export, After Effects is out of the loop.
* **Approach B — live render via Harmonizer**: Captivate imports the `.aep` or `.mogrt` directly and asks After Effects to render frames during the show. After Effects stays in the loop.

Both paths are supported. Pick per project based on how the graphic will be used, who owns the design, and what the playback machine looks like.

## Pick by workflow

Use **Approach A (native export)** when:

* The design is final and not changing.
* You want the best playback performance and no After Effects process during the show.
* The playback machine does not have After Effects installed.
* You want to ship the title as a self-contained Captivate graphic that can also be edited in the Designer.

Use **Approach B (live render)** when:

* The design is still iterating in After Effects.
* The composition uses After Effects features that do not survive the native export.
* Your team’s workflow keeps After Effects open during production and you want the latest version on air without re-exporting.

## Quick comparison

|                                                |                                               |                                                                                                  |
| ---------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Question                                       | Approach A — native export                    | Approach B — live render                                                                         |
| Does After Effects run during the show?        | No.                                           | Yes.                                                                                             |
| What gets imported into Captivate?             | A baked, native title file.                   | The `.aep` or `.mogrt` itself, live-linked.                                                      |
| Can I edit the result in the Designer?         | Yes — it is a native graphic.                 | No — frames come from After Effects.                                                             |
| Updating the design after import               | Re-export from After Effects, then re-import. | Save the `.aep`; Captivate detects the change and prompts you to **Refresh** the imported title. |
| After Effects required on the playout machine? | No.                                           | Yes, unless pre-cached.                                                                          |
| Best for                                       | Final, shipped designs.                       | In-production designs.                                                                           |

## Mixed projects

You can combine both approaches in the same Captivate project. Use live render for graphics that are still in flux and native export for the ones that are locked. There is no project-level switch — each title carries its own approach based on how it was added.

## Where to go next

* For native export, see [After Effects: native export with the NewBlue plugin (Approach A)](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/after-effects-approach-a-native-export.md).
* For live render, see [After Effects: live render via Harmonizer (Approach B)](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/after-effects-approach-b-live-render.md).
* For composition preparation that applies to both, see [Prepare After Effects designs for import](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/preparing-your-after-effects-designs-for-import.md).


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