# Streamlabs Desktop ## Recommended: The following options are far more efficient and fast for your computer! They take an extra minute to set up but it's worth it! ### Spout2 (Windows) If you are on windows I recommend using:\ [windows-spout2-recommended](https://docs.streamavatars.com/stream-avatars/how-to-overlay/windows-spout2-recommended "mention") ### Syphon (MacOS) If you are on macOS I recommend using:\ [macos-syphon-recommended](https://docs.streamavatars.com/stream-avatars/how-to-overlay/macos-syphon-recommended "mention") If these options do not work for you, please continue reading. ## SLOBS Default Options: ## Add A Game-Capture The recommended way to use Stream Avatars with Streamlabs Desktop is with a Game-Capture. In rare cases you might run into situations forcing you to use a Window-Capture which is not ideal. For users on Mac Operating systems, you will need to use a "[Window-Capture](#window-capture)". Add a new "Game Capture" source, click "Add a new source", continue, and then set it to "Specific Window", and then select "StreamingAvatars.exe" as the window. Lastly, check the "Allow Transparency" box.

## Choosing the Layer To ensure stream avatars is displaying on top of stream sources, you can adjust the order of the sources. The closer a source is to the top of the list, the higher it's layer value is. Higher layers values appear on top of content below it. Like your primary stream content (Video Games, Work, Art, Webcam).

## Window Capture {% hint style="danger" %} Stop! Only use window capture if you are on Mac/OSX or your game-capture is not working!\ Also be sure to try Syphon or Spout2 first depending on your Operating System.\ \ Windows:\ [windows-spout2-recommended](https://docs.streamavatars.com/stream-avatars/how-to-overlay/windows-spout2-recommended "mention")\ \ MacOS:\ [macos-syphon-recommended](https://docs.streamavatars.com/stream-avatars/how-to-overlay/macos-syphon-recommended "mention") {% endhint %} Window capture is not ideal because it does not have an "Allow Transparency" option. The transparency this provides is perfect and requires zero tuning, but if you are unable to use a Game-Capture, this is how it works: Add a Window Capture source, set the window to Stream Avatars. Right click the source, Click "Filters", and add a "Color Key" filter. You can set the custom color to be anything you want, but Stream Avatar's background must match the color you select. After that you need to tune the "Similarity" and "Smoothness" until it looks good.

After you're done make sure to adjust the [layer of the window capture](#obs-layer)! ## Trouble Shooting Sometimes Streamlabs Desktop has problems displaying the content. There are a lot of systems at play where problems can occur. Here's a checklist to go through if you are having issues. * Make sure Stream Avatars is connected and your Avatar is walking around. The UI is designed to be transparent with game-capture's so it can be confusing that it doesn't show up. * You might need to make StreamLabs run as administrator. (Or make it not run as administrator) * If the capture is not displaying anything, it could be other software interfering with Streamlabs Desktop's ability to capture Stream Avatars correctly. Some examples of problematic software are: MSI-Afterburner, Rivatuner, Any software that has an overlay on top of full-screen programs\ \ I think the only way to work around this is to close those programs, and make sure your computer doesn't launch these programs on startup. After you do this, restart your Computer and try using Streamlabs Desktop again. * In some cases you can try to set Stream Avatars, Steam, and Streamlabs Desktop to run as ADMIN mode, however there are also cases where this can cause the capture to not work as well. * If you are using TWO graphics cards, you may need to use SLI-Crossfire. * If none of this seems to work check out this post by OBS:\ * Last resort is to use a "[Window Capture](#window-capture)". If none of the above works your problem might be specific to your computer. This may be a graphics card driver issue and if on windows directX driver. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.streamavatars.com/stream-avatars/how-to-overlay/streamlabs-desktop.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.