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Import Media and Manage Assets

Bring files into a Studio project, find them quickly, preview them, and keep generated takes organized.

What the Asset Shelf Does

The asset shelf sits along the bottom of the workspace. It contains the media available to the current .studio project:

  • Imported images, video clips, and audio files.
  • Generated image, video, and audio takes.
  • Script and generated-output records that Studio can show beside media.

Use the shelf as the project's working library. The timeline is where you assemble a sequence; the shelf is where the source media lives.

Import Media

Choose Project > Import Media... or click Import Assets in the asset shelf. Studio copies the selected files into the project package so the project can reopen without depending on the original file path on your Mac.

After import, the files appear in the shelf and can be used for timeline clips, image references, frame locks, overlays, or generation context.

Browse the Shelf

Use the shelf tabs to narrow what you are looking at:

  • Assets for the full project media library.
  • Videos for video clips.
  • Images for still images.
  • Generated for provider outputs.
  • Scripts for written materials.
  • Audio for audio files and generated sound.

Switch between grid and list views depending on whether thumbnails or names are easier to scan.

Preview Assets

Single-click an asset to select it. Double-click supported images, videos, and audio assets to preview them before placing them on the timeline or using them as references.

Right-click an asset for available actions. The menu changes based on the asset type and current selection.

Rename Generated Takes

Generated takes often start with descriptive but long provider-derived names. Rename important takes before a project gets crowded.

Good names are short and recognizable:

  • opening-meadow-wide
  • logo-end-card-take-2
  • voiceover-intro-clean

Renaming a take does not break its provider job record. Studio still keeps the prompt, model, settings, and result history connected to that output.

Use Assets as References

Image assets can be used in Generate as edit sources or visual references. Video assets can provide first-frame or last-frame continuity for video generation when the selected model supports it.

For a full walkthrough, see Reference media and frame lock.

Add Assets to the Timeline

Drag media from the shelf onto the timeline:

  • Images and video go on V1.
  • Audio goes on A1 or A2.
  • Captions belong on C1.
  • Text and image overlays belong on T1 through Effects.

You can also add selected generated takes from Scene Cards. See Scene Cards in Elements.

Tips

  • Rename strong takes as soon as you know they matter.
  • Use shelf tabs when a project has many generated outputs.
  • Keep failed or experimental takes until you are sure they are no longer useful; provider job history can help you understand what changed.
  • Import files instead of relying on external Finder paths.