> 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/get-started/welcome/first-graphic-smoke-test.md).

# Put your first graphic on air

In this article you’ll put a graphic on air and verify that Captivate is working correctly. This is a good first exercise after installation, and a quick way to confirm that a computer is ready for production.

You need Captivate installed and activated, plus at least one output you can verify — a connected display, NDI, OMT, OBS, SDI, or the Virtual Webcam.

## Step 1: Launch Captivate

Launch Captivate. Close the **Getting Started** dialog if it appears.

If you see the **Activation Is Required** dialog instead, finish activation first via the **Launch Application Manager** button. See [Activation flow reference](/reference/license-activation-flow.md).

## Step 2: Pick a graphic from the Library

<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-a9c5058a338fcda5d11ab5f1b6fbf15dc478eaef%2Flibrary-hover.jpg?alt=media" alt="Library panel with the cursor over a preset, the Preview panel showing the graphic animating"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

1. Make sure the **Library** panel is visible. If it isn’t, press **F4** or click the Library icon in the top bar.
2. Browse to any collection.
3. Hover the cursor over any preset — the graphic loads and animates in the Preview panel so you can see what it looks like before adding it.

## Step 3: Add the graphic to the Project List

<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-4a567fdcc4a80492e94edcfc2734ae6607b6a19c%2Fproject-list-with-graphic.jpg?alt=media" alt="Project List with the new graphic row added"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Drag the preset from the Library into the **Project List**. Captivate adds it as a layer on the current channel.

## Step 4: Choose an output

<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-29c512785c9f6cf7f532258509322e454546dd3e%2Fprogram-out-menu.jpg?alt=media" alt="Program Out menu open with the output options visible"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

1. Open the **Program Out** menu.
2. Choose an output you can verify:
   * **Display** — sends to a connected monitor. Easiest to confirm.
   * **NDI** — pick up the stream in NDI Studio Monitor on the same network.
   * **OMT** — Open Media Transport, a low-latency network video transport with audio.
   * **OBS** — appears as a source inside OBS via the NewBlue OBS plugin.
   * **Virtual Webcam** — appears as a camera in Zoom, Teams, Meet, OBS, browsers.
   * **SDI** — to a Blackmagic DeckLink or AJA card (when the hardware is connected).

## Step 5: Play it

<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-32622bc2f98ca340f7c77f4e1059e8fcfb3396bc%2Fplay-button.jpg?alt=media" alt="Project List row with the play button highlighted and the graphic animating in the Program Monitor"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

1. In the Project List, click the play button on the row for your graphic.
2. Watch the **Program Monitor** — the graphic should animate in.
3. Check your downstream receiver (the connected display, NDI Studio Monitor, OBS, etc.) — the same frame should appear there.

If the graphic plays in the Program Monitor and on your receiver with no watermark, the install is healthy.

## Common problems

If something didn’t work, follow the link for the symptom you’re seeing:

* **Unlicensed banner won’t clear** — open the Application Manager to confirm activation, then see [Activation flow reference](/reference/license-activation-flow.md) for the banner state machine and how to force a re-read.
* **Watermark on output** — you’re using a feature your license doesn’t include. The top bar names the feature. See [Feature availability by edition](/reference/entitlements-sku-matrix.md).

For other output or device problems, see [Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/branch-index.md).

## Next step

Now that you’ve played a graphic by hand, the next step is to connect it to live data. Continue with [Play and update graphics](/play-and-update-graphics/branch-index.md).

## Related

* [Tour the Captivate interface](/get-started/chapter-index-2/the-playout-interface.md) — a quick orientation to the Setup and Live workspace layouts and the main panels.
* [Top-bar status indicators](/get-started/chapter-index-2/top-bar-status-meaning.md) — what every indicator on the top bar means.


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