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Asset types categorize your production assets, helping teams organize and manage different kinds of content like characters, props, sets, and effects.

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Understanding Asset Types

Asset types are global definitions that can be used across multiple productions. They define:
  • Category names (e.g., “Character”, “Prop”, “Set”)
  • Short names for compact displays
  • Associated task types (optional - which tasks apply to this asset type)
  • Descriptions for team reference
Asset types are created at the system level and then enabled per production in production settings.

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Common Asset Types

Typical asset types used in animation and VFX productions:
Asset TypeDescriptionCommon Uses
CharacterPeople, creatures, animalsMain cast, background characters
PropObjects and itemsWeapons, furniture, handheld items
SetEnvironments and locationsInteriors, exteriors, landscapes
FXEffects elementsParticles, simulations, magic effects
VehicleTransportationCars, ships, aircraft
CameraCamera rigs and setupsVirtual cameras, camera moves

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Creating Asset Types

Only Admin users can create asset types at the system level.
1

Access Asset Types Library

Navigate to Settings → Asset Types to access the asset types library.
2

Click New Asset Type

Click the New Asset Type button in the top right.
3

Enter Asset Type Details

Fill in the asset type information:
  • Name: Full descriptive name (e.g., “Character”)
  • Short Name: Abbreviated version (e.g., “CHAR”, “CH”)
  • Description: Optional explanation of what this type includes
  • Task Types: Select which task types apply (optional)
4

Save the Asset Type

Click Confirm to create the asset type. It’s now available for all productions.

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Asset Type Fields

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Name
string
required
The full name of the asset type, displayed in lists and forms.
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Short Name
string
required
A brief identifier, typically 2-4 characters, used in:
  • Asset naming conventions
  • Compact list views
  • File exports
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Description
text
Additional details about this asset type for team reference.
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Task Types
multi-select
Optionally specify which task types are relevant for this asset type.
  • If specified: Only listed task types appear when creating tasks for assets of this type
  • If empty: All task types are available (more flexible)

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Assigning Task Types

You can associate specific task types with an asset type to streamline workflows.

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When to Specify Task Types

Some asset types have unique pipelines:Example: Camera assets might only need “Layout” and “Animation” tasks, not “Modeling” or “Texturing”.
Limit available tasks to prevent team members from creating irrelevant tasks.Example: FX assets shouldn’t have “Rigging” tasks.
Ensure consistent task creation across the production.

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When to Leave Task Types Empty

If different assets of the same type might need different tasks.
If your pipeline is still being defined or frequently changes.
For smaller projects where all assets follow similar workflows.

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Editing Asset Types

1

Locate the Asset Type

Find the asset type in the Asset Types library list.
2

Click Edit

Click the Edit button (pencil icon) next to the asset type.
3

Modify Details

Update the name, short name, description, or task types.
4

Save Changes

Click Confirm to apply changes across all productions.
Editing an asset type affects all productions using that type. Changes to the short name may impact naming conventions.

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Archiving Asset Types

Instead of deleting asset types, you can archive them to keep historical data intact.

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Active vs. Archived

The Asset Types library has two tabs:
  • Active: Currently available asset types
  • Archived: Deprecated asset types no longer in use

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Archiving an Asset Type

1

Edit the Asset Type

Click the Edit button for the asset type you want to archive.
2

Mark as Archived

Toggle the archive status in the edit modal.
3

Confirm

Save the changes. The asset type moves to the Archived tab.
Archived asset types:
  • Cannot be added to new productions
  • Remain visible in productions already using them
  • Preserve historical asset data
  • Can be restored by un-archiving

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Using Asset Types in Productions

After creating asset types globally, enable them per production:
1

Open Production Settings

Navigate to Production Settings → Asset Types tab.
2

Add Asset Types

Select asset types from the dropdown and click Add.
3

Create Assets

When creating assets, you’ll now see only the enabled asset types.
You can enable different asset types for different productions based on their specific needs.

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Asset Type Best Practices

Keep Names Clear

Use intuitive names that everyone on the team will understand. Avoid ambiguous or overlapping categories.

Standardize Short Names

Establish a convention for short names (all caps, length limit) and stick to it consistently.

Don't Over-Categorize

Too many asset types creates confusion. Start with broad categories and subdivide only if necessary.

Document Your Structure

Maintain documentation about what belongs in each asset type, especially for edge cases.

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Naming Conventions

Establish clear naming patterns using asset types: 
[AssetType]_[Name]_[Variant]
Examples:
  • CH_Hero_Main (Character - Hero - Main variant)
  • PR_Sword_Broken (Prop - Sword - Broken variant)
  • SET_Castle_Interior (Set - Castle - Interior)
  • FX_Explosion_Large (FX - Explosion - Large scale)
Kitsu doesn’t enforce naming conventions, but consistent patterns help with:
  • Searching and filtering
  • File organization
  • Pipeline integration
  • Export and delivery

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Exporting Asset Types

You can export the asset types library to CSV:
  1. Click the Export button in the Asset Types page
  2. The export includes:
    • Type name
    • Short name
    • Description
    • Associated task types
  3. Use exports for documentation or migration planning

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Integration with Assets

Asset types affect several areas:

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Asset Creation

  • Asset type is required when creating an asset
  • Determines available task types (if specified)
  • Affects default naming patterns

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Asset Lists

  • Filter assets by type
  • Group assets by type
  • Color-code by type (optional)

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Task Creation

  • If task types are specified for an asset type, only those tasks can be created
  • If not specified, all production task types are available

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Reports and Statistics

  • Group metrics by asset type
  • Compare progress across types
  • Identify bottlenecks per type

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Example Asset Type Structure

A typical animation production might use:
Task Types: Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, GroomingUsed for all character models including main cast and background characters.
Task Types: Modeling, Texturing, Rigging (optional)Objects that characters interact with or that appear in scenes.
Task Types: Modeling, Texturing, Layout, LightingEnvironments where action takes place.
Task Types: FX, Simulation, CompositingParticle systems, simulations, and effects elements.

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Troubleshooting

Solution: Add the asset type in Production Settings → Asset Types tab.
Check: The asset type’s task type restrictions. Edit the asset type to add more task types or remove restrictions.
Solution: Archive unused types and consolidate similar categories. Keep only actively-used types in the Active tab.

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Next Steps

Production Settings

Enable asset types in your production

Creating Assets

Learn how to create and manage assets

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