Asset Properties
The Properties panel shows metadata for the selected asset. The layout adapts to the asset type. Use it to diagnose problems, verify optimization, and manage color workflows.
Select one or more assets in the Assets window to view their properties. Press Enter or double-click an asset to focus the Properties panel.
Error
If the asset failed to optimize, a red Error row appears at the top of the panel. It shows the message from the Optimizer. The text is selectable for copying. Common causes are unsupported codecs, corrupt source files, and low disk space.
A failed asset cannot be renamed or used. Create Version is also disabled. Fix the cause and re-add the asset.
Info
The Info section shows these fields:
- Name — the display name. Click to rename. Renaming is blocked while the asset is in error.
- Type — the asset kind, with a type icon beside the name.
- UUID — the unique identifier used to track the asset across the system.
- Original Path — the source file location, shown as
folder\file.ext. Web-uploaded assets show only the file name.
Asset State
Every asset has a state. The state sets which operations are available and how the asset appears in the Assets window. See Asset Manager for the full pipeline.
| State | Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Uploading | Upload arrow + progress bar | The source file is transferring to the Asset Manager. Progress is tracked in bytes. |
| Optimizing | Gears + progress bar | The asset is being optimized to its output codec. |
| Ok | Normal icon | The asset is optimized and ready for playback and distribution. |
| Importing | — | The asset is being imported from a package (see Import and Export). |
| Fail | Red name + alert icon | Optimization failed. The error appears in the Error row. |
| Cancelled | — | Optimization was cancelled before it finished. |
Visual Asset Properties
For image and video assets, these fields appear:
- Codec — the source codec and the output codec, shown as
source as output(for example "H.264 as HAP"). See Formats and Codecs for the codec list. - For Notch LC output, the quality level is shown after the codec name.
- Color Space — the input color space, and the output color space after an arrow if it differs (see Color Space).
- Dimensions — width x height in pixels, or X x Y x Z for a 3D model.
- Bitrate — the video bitrate (video assets).
- Compression Ratio — the ratio between uncompressed and compressed size (video and image assets). When more than one compression stage applies, each named stage's ratio is shown in parentheses. Multiply them for the total.
Video-Specific Properties
- Frame Rate — frames per second. Fractional rates (for example 29.97) show two decimals.
- Duration — the playback length.
- Progress — optimization or upload progress, shown only while processing. It reads as processed size / estimated final size with a percentage (for example, 1,024 kB / 4,096 kB (25%)).
Audio-Specific Properties
- Channels — the number of audio channels (1 = mono, 2 = stereo).
- Sample Rate — shown in kHz (for example 48 kHz).
- Duration — the playback length.
Display Data Properties
For MPCDI display data assets:
- Version — the MPCDI file version.
- Canvases Size — the canvas dimensions.
Dynamic Asset Properties
When a dynamic (auto-updating) asset is selected, an Active Version section appears. It shows the current version name, its UUID, and a preview thumbnail of the active version. See Dynamic Assets.
SVG Shape Properties
SVG shape assets show a shape editor instead of the standard fields. It includes a preview, geometry controls, fill and stroke colors, and text properties for text shapes. See SVG Shapes.
Color Space
WATCHOUT tracks the input color space (from the source) and the output color space (used during rendering). The panel shows the input, then an arrow and the output when they differ.
The named color standards are:
| Color Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| sRGB | Web and computer graphics content. |
| Rec. 709 | HD broadcast and most professional video. |
| Rec. 2020 | Wide color gamut content. |
| Rec. 2100 PQ | HDR content (Perceptual Quantizer). |
| Rec. 2100 HLG | HDR content for broadcast (Hybrid Log-Gamma). |
If the color space does not match the content's mastering, the output brightness or color will be wrong. Verify color space with your content provider if visuals look wrong. For HDR and color concepts, see HDR and Color Management.
Original vs. Optimized
The Codec field shows the source and output codec together. The Color Space field shows the input and output color space. When the two values differ, both appear. When they match, only one appears.
Storage Footprint
The panel shows the Exclusive bytes (unique to this asset), the Shared bytes (held in common with other assets), and their total. Asset Transfer explains how shared storage is deduplicated.
Create Version
Create Version clones the selected asset under a new name. Open it from the Assets window context menu (New → Create Version), or the button at the bottom of the Properties panel.
The dialog has a Header Data section that reinterprets the asset without re-encoding the media. For video, set the Frame Rate. For video and image, set the Color Space. Changing only these values is a fast metadata change.
The dialog also has an Encoded Data section. Pick a new output Codec to re-encode the version. See Formats and Codecs for the codec options.
The dialog also shows a Use Original option, but it is inactive. The re-encode always works from the already-optimized data.
Create Version is disabled for failed assets, folders, and compositions.
Best Practices
- Verify color space on import. Check every visual asset's color space, especially when mixing content from multiple vendors.
- Use the Codec column. Enable the Codec column in the Assets window to see each asset's output codec at a glance.
- Check footprint before large shows. Use the exclusive and shared values to estimate storage before transferring to Runners.
- Keep UUIDs for scripting. If you reference assets by external control (OSC, HTTP API), note the UUID. UUIDs are stable across renames and moves.
Related
- Asset Manager — the Assets window and the optimization pipeline.
- Asset Types — the asset kinds and their source formats.
- Formats and Codecs — source codecs and optimization output.
- HDR and Color Management — HDR and color concepts.