Previewing and comparing files in Assets

In Assets, a single file can be viewed in fullscreen mode and multiple files can be compared side-by-side.

Figure: Viewing a single image in fullscreen mode (left) and comparing multiple images (right).

This article explains how to perform these actions and shows which tools are available when viewing files this way.

Previewing a single file

Previewing a single file in fullscreen mode can be done in the same Web browser window or in a new window.

Previewing in the same window

To quickly open a single file in fullscreen mode in the same window, do one of the following:

• Select the file and press the Spacebar.

• Hover the mouse pointer over the file and click the Full Preview icon in the top right corner.

• Right-click a file and from the context menu choose Full Preview.

To close the fullscreen mode, press the Spacebar or click the Close button in the top right corner.

Previewing in a new window

To preview a file in fullscreen mode in a different window, first open it in fullscreen mode (see Previewing a single file).

Then, click the New Window icon in the top right corner.

The preview in this window remains static until the preview for one or more other files is opened. This makes it possible to work on files in Assets in one window while previewing one or more files in another window.

Example: Assume that four files are compared on another screen in another tab. A fifth one is added by Cmd/Ctrl- or Shift-selecting it and using one of the methods described above to access fullscreen mode.

To exit this mode, close the browser tab.

Previewing audio files

Info: This feature requires Assets 6.95 or higher.

When previewing an audio file, the wave form (spectrogram) of the audio file is shown.

Comparing files

Up to 8 files (or 2 videos) can be compared by displaying them side-by-side. This can be done by using the filmstrip view mode or the fullscreen mode.

Figure: Comparing files using the filmstrip mode (left) and using the fullscreen mode (right).

Using the filmstrip view mode

Step 1. Search for the files that you want to compare.

Step 2. Switch to Filmstrip view mode by clicking the icon in the bottom right corner of the page.

Figure: The Filmstrip View icon.

Step 3. Select up to 8 files or a maximum of 2 videos.

Figure: Viewing 8 images simultaneously in Filmstrip view mode.

Using the fullscreen mode

To compare multiple files in fullscreen mode, select the files that you want to compare and enter fullscreen mode by using one of the methods described in Previewing a single file.

Figure: Viewing 8 images simultaneously in fullscreen mode.

To close the fullscreen mode, press the Spacebar or click the Close button in the top right corner.

Comparing files in a new Browser tab

One affective way of comparing files is to view the files on one screen while using another screen to control which files to compare.

This can be done by clicking the New Window icon in the top right corner.

Step 1. Open one or more files in fullscreen mode (see Previewing a single file).

Step 2. Click the New Window icon in the top right corner.

Figure: The New Window icon in fullscreen mode.

The files are now shown in a new tab.

Step 3. (Optional) Drag the tab to another monitor.

The preview in this tab remains static until the preview for one or more other files is opened. This makes it possible to work on files in one window while previewing one or more files in another window.

Example: Assume that four files are compared in another tab on a second screen. A fifth file is added by Cmd/Ctrl- or Shift-selecting it and using one of the methods described above to access fullscreen mode.

To exit this mode, close the browser tab.

Working in fullscreen mode

When viewing one or more files in fullscreen mode, the following actions can be performed:

• View the metadata panel by clicking the 'i' icon in the top right corner.
• Zoom in or out of an image by hovering the mouse pointer over the preview and using the slider in the lower left corner of the preview.
• When zoomed in, drag an image to bring the part of the image that you want to see into view.
• Set the preview size to 'fit to screen' or 'actual size' by hovering the mouse pointer over the preview and using the slider in the lower left corner of the preview.
• Download the files by clicking 'Download' in the top left hand corner.
• Right-click a file to access the context menu.