Using WoodWing Assets

WoodWing Assets is one of the ways of accessing files that are stored in Assets Server through a Web browser.

It provides easy access to content that is stored in Assets Server and because of its wide range of features it is perfect for both general and advanced use.

Figure: Accessing content in Assets Server through WoodWing Assets.

Setting up WoodWing Assets

You will use Assets to connect to Assets Server. The environment will have been set up for you, ready for use. No installation or configuration steps are needed on your side.

Note: One exception exist: when you are an external user and are asked to use WoodWing Assets you might want to install Assets Agent to make the process of checking-out files for editing and checking them back in easier.

Access rights

Depending on your role, you will have been given full or limited access to the available features in Assets and the assets stored in Assets Server. You may therefore not see all of the features described here in this article or be able to use them.

Styling

The look and feel of Assets can be changed to match the style of the brand that Assets is used for, for example by matching it with the branding of a company, product or publication.

The following can be adjusted:

• The background image of the Sign In page
• The logo in the header
• The color of the header
• The highlight color (used for buttons, selections and various other small page items)
• The 'favicon' shown in a Web browser
• The 'Feedback' and 'Help' links

Assets may therefore look different than shown here but the described features are the same.

Accessing WoodWing Assets

You access Assets through a Web link by using a supported Web browser. Enter the link that is provided to you and when prompted, log in using your credentials.

The link will look as follows:

<Assets Server URL>/app

Example: http://www.assets-server.com/app

Changing the font size

To slightly increase or decrease the default font size of the text in Assets, use the options in the Avatar menu.

Figure: The options in the Avatar menu for changing the font size of the text in Assets.

Features

WoodWing Assets can be used to perform many tasks, including:

• Searching for files using a free-text search, the Filter or by browsing the folder structure
• Previewing files (up to 8 at a time)
• Downloading files and folders
• Uploading files
• Adding a file to a Dossier in Studio Server
• Sharing files
• Moving or copying files
• Editing images
• Opening files for editing (including InDesign layouts)
• Placing files on an InDesign layout
• Deleting files
• Manually linking files
• Assigning a rating to a file
• Requesting users to upload files
• Combining files into a Collection
• Viewing files in thumbnail view, list view, filmstrip view, or masonry grid view
• Editing metadata
• Creating a Metadata report
• Use keyboard shortcuts

Note: When a file is created, its name may not contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? ” < > | For more information, see Invalid file name characters.

Using features added by plug-ins

The default functionality of Assets can be extended by using plug-ins. Each plug-in will add its own functionality and it depends on the type of plug-in and how it is set up how it can be used in Assets.

Some plug-ins will add automated functionality such as archiving files when they reach a particular status while other add functionality that can be manually triggered by clicking a button or a context menu command, or by using a panel.

Figure: In this example, geo-tagged assets can be viewed via Google Maps.

Figure: In this example, a panel is added containing options to quickly apply specific copyright metadata to selected assets.

Revisions

• 17 September 2024: Updated section 'Features' by adding a link to Moving or copying files.