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Assets are reusable elements in your production such as characters, props, environments, and vehicles. Kitsu helps you track each asset through its creation pipeline.

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What are Assets?

Assets represent any element that can be used across multiple shots:
  • Characters: Main and secondary characters, crowds
  • Props: Objects that characters interact with
  • Environments: Sets, locations, and backgrounds
  • FX: Reusable visual effects elements
  • Vehicles: Cars, spaceships, or any transport
Each asset goes through a series of tasks (Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, etc.) before being marked as ready for production.

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The Assets Page

The Assets page (~/workspace/source/src/components/pages/Assets.vue:4) displays all assets in the current production, organized by asset type.

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Search and Filtering

Use the search bar to find assets quickly: 
props modeling=wip
This searches for props with modeling tasks in “WIP” status. Advanced Filtering:
  • Filter by asset type: type=[Characters]
  • Filter by task status: modeling=wip or rigging=approved
  • Search by name: Simply type the asset name
  • Combine filters: chars modeling=wip texturing=todo
Click the Filter button to use the visual filter builder for complex queries.

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Save Search Queries

Save frequently used searches:
  1. Enter your search criteria
  2. Click the Save icon in the search bar
  3. Give your search a name
  4. The saved search appears in your search queries list
Saved searches sync across your team and can be organized into filter groups.

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Creating Assets

Only Managers and Supervisors can create new assets.
To create a new asset:
  1. Click the New Asset button
  2. Fill in the asset details:
    • Name: Asset identifier (e.g., “Hero_Robot”)
    • Asset Type: Select the category (Character, Prop, etc.)
    • Description: Optional notes about the asset
    • Episode: For TV shows, select which episode(s) use this asset
  3. Click Confirm to create the asset
For quick asset creation, use Confirm and Stay to create multiple assets in succession.

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Shared Assets (TV Shows)

For TV shows, assets can be:
  • Episode-specific: Only available in that episode
  • Shared/Main Pack: Available across all episodes
Toggle Show Shared Assets to view assets from the main pack.

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Editing Assets

Click an asset name or the Edit icon to modify:
  • Asset name
  • Asset type
  • Description
  • Custom metadata fields
  • Episode assignments

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Inline Editing

Many fields can be edited directly in the asset list:
  • Click on a metadata field to edit it in place
  • Changes save automatically
  • Validation ensures data integrity

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Asset Organization

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By Asset Type

Assets are automatically grouped by type. Click an asset type name to filter the list to only that type.

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Sorting Options

Sort assets by:
  • Name (alphabetically)
  • Task status (by department)
  • Time spent or Estimation
  • Custom metadata fields
Click column headers to sort. Click again to reverse the sort order.

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Display Options

Customize your view:
  • Big Thumbnails: Larger preview images
  • Show Assignations: Display who’s assigned to each task
  • Show Info: Show description and metadata
  • Department Filter: Show only tasks for specific departments

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Working with Tasks

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Validation Columns

Each asset row shows task statuses across the pipeline:
  • Click a task cell to open the task detail page
  • Task colors indicate status (green=done, orange=WIP, etc.)
  • Assignee avatars show who’s working on each task

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Creating Tasks

Bulk create tasks for multiple assets:
  1. Select assets (Shift+Click for ranges)
  2. Click Create Tasks
  3. Choose the task type
  4. Select whether to create for all assets or selection only
  5. Click Confirm
Tasks are created with the default “TODO” status.

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Delete All Tasks

Remove all tasks of a specific type:
  1. Click the … menu on a task column header
  2. Select Delete All Tasks
  3. Confirm the task type name
  4. Choose to delete from all assets or selected only
Deleting tasks is permanent and removes all associated comments and previews.

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Metadata and Custom Fields

Add production-specific data to assets:

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Adding Metadata Descriptors

Managers can add custom fields:
  1. Click Add Metadata
  2. Define the field:
    • Name: Field label
    • Type: Text, Number, Date, Checklist, etc.
    • Choices: For dropdown fields
  3. The field appears for all assets

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Editing Metadata Values

Click any metadata cell to edit its value. Changes save automatically and sync across the team.

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Import and Export

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CSV Import

Import assets from spreadsheets:
  1. Click the Import button
  2. Upload your CSV file
  3. Map columns to asset fields:
    • Required: Type, Name
    • Optional: Description, Ready For, Resolution, custom metadata
  4. Review the preview
  5. Click Import to create assets
For TV shows, include an “Episode” column.

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CSV Export

Export your asset list:
  1. Click the Export button
  2. Kitsu generates a CSV with:
    • Asset type and name
    • Description and metadata
    • Task statuses
    • Time tracking data
    • Assignations
The filename includes the date and production name.

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Import Thumbnails

Bulk upload asset thumbnails:
  1. Click the Import Thumbnails button
  2. Select multiple image files
  3. Name files matching your assets (e.g., Robot_Hero.png)
  4. Kitsu matches files to assets automatically

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Casting and Ready Status

Track which assets are ready for production:

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Ready For Field

Set when an asset is cleared for:
  • Layout
  • Animation
  • Lighting
  • Final render
This helps downstream departments know what’s available.

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Deleting and Restoring Assets

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Soft Delete

Deleting an asset with active tasks marks it as canceled:
  • The asset is hidden from normal views
  • All data is preserved
  • Tasks remain accessible
  • The asset can be restored

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Hard Delete

Deleting an asset with no tasks permanently removes it:
Permanent deletion cannot be undone.

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Restore Canceled Assets

Restore a canceled asset:
  1. Find the asset in the list (it appears faded)
  2. Click the Restore icon
  3. Confirm restoration
  4. The asset becomes active again

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Best Practices

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Naming Conventions

  • Use clear, descriptive names: Char_Robot_Hero not robot1
  • Include variant info: Prop_Sword_Rusty vs Prop_Sword_Shiny
  • Be consistent across your production
  • Avoid special characters that may cause issues

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Asset Types

Organize with appropriate granularity:
  • Too few types: Hard to find things
  • Too many types: Confusing for the team
  • Standard types work for most productions
  • Add custom types only when needed

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Task Management

  • Create tasks at the start of production
  • Assign artists early to help with planning
  • Use estimations for scheduling
  • Track time spent for future projects

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Metadata Usage

  • Add fields that help your team
  • Avoid redundant information
  • Use checklists for multi-step approvals
  • Date fields help track milestones

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Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Shift + Click: Select range of assets
  • Ctrl/Cmd + Click: Toggle individual selection
  • Escape: Clear selection

Tasks

View and update task status

Shots

See where assets are used

Playlists

Review asset progress

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