Getting Started with MediaValet

After logging in, you will land on your Custom Home Page. The steps on configuring your custom home page can be found here.

Navigate the Library and Category Tree

Next, let's head to the Library tab, your primary hub for accessing assets. On the left, you’ll see a side menu whose options may vary based on your permissions, but the basic navigation is consistent for all users. Next to the menu is the category tree, structured much like folders on a computer. You can expand or collapse these categories to browse different areas of the library.

If you are an admin, you can add or modify categories by using the ellipsis (three dots) menu in the category panel.

You can also customize the layout by dragging panels left or right with your mouse to adjust how much space each panel takes.

Adjust Library View, Thumbnails, and Sorting

While on the Library tab, you can switch between grid view and list view to choose how your assets are displayed.

• Use the magnifying glass control to increase or decrease the thumbnail size for easier browsing.
• You can also choose how to sort assets—for example by name, date, or other criteria—using the sort dropdown menu.

Use Library-Level Views and Page Display Options

Pinned at the top of the Library are two quick-view options: Most Viewed and Recently Uploaded. For this example, stay on Recently Uploaded.

• You can collapse the category tree to maximize viewing space for assets.
• Choose how many assets are displayed per page using the page size control.

• You can also enlarge the asset cards and move between multiple pages of results using the pagination controls.
• When you hover over any asset card, action icons will appear, allowing you to quickly perform common tasks.

Share, Download, and Inspect Individual Assets from the Library

From the hover actions on each asset card, you can share assets via different methods such as an asset link, web gallery, or zip file.

• To download an asset, click the Download button on the card.
• Use the info icon to view key details about the asset directly from the Library.
• You can enter full screen mode to see a larger version of the asset.
• You can also share an asset via a CDN link, ideal for embedding or publishing online.
  • From the same CDN link menu, you can apply dynamic transformations (such as resizing or format changes) by clicking the transformation icon.

Check Asset Status and Select Multiple Assets

In the top right corner of every asset card, you’ll find a status icon showing whether an asset is approved or rejected.

To select multiple assets, click the selection box in the left corner of each asset card.

• You can also hold down the Shift key and click with your mouse to select a range of assets.
• If you need to select all assets on the current page, use the “select page” option at the top of the grid.

Perform Bulk Actions on Multiple Assets

Once you have selected multiple assets, you can perform bulk actions similar to the actions available on individual asset cards. These include sharing, downloading, and more.

Bulk actions also offer additional capabilities, such as editing categories in bulk and adding multiple assets to a collection in one click. If you want to edit metadata for selected assets, use the pencil icon to open the edit interface. Where permitted, you can also delete assets.

More advanced or administrative actions are available from the bulk actions ellipsis menu, such as running AVI (if activated in your system), or approving and rejecting assets.

Open and Understand the Asset Panel

Click any asset thumbnail to open the asset panel, which provides a detailed view of the selected asset. At the top of the panel, you can immediately see whether the asset is approved or rejected.

To the right, you’ll find the Follow asset icon. When enabled, you’ll receive notifications whenever there is activity on that asset.

Above the main image, you will see several tabs (such as Overview, Metadata, and People).

You can hide or rearrange these tabs to suit your workflow by clicking the gear icon.

Use the Overview Tab to Review and Edit Core Details

On the Overview tab, you’ll see basic file information, including file name, file format, and file size. Here, you can also rate the asset, edit descriptions, and review its assigned categories.

Categories can be modified depending on your user permissions.

Use the pencil icon in the Overview tab to edit details such as file name, title, categories, keywords, and other core metadata.

Explore the Metadata Tab and Asset Attributes

In the Metadata tab, you will see asset attributes and categories that mirror the structure on the left side of the Library for easy navigation.

This tab displays embedded metadata (often provided by the photographer or original creator) and AI-generated tags, which can be removed or adjusted if needed.

Identifying People with AI Face Recognition

Move to the People tab to use AI face recognition for identifying individuals in your assets.

If a face is currently unidentified (for example, a student), you can type in and assign the correct name—for instance, labeling the face as “Claire.”

You can also manage recognized faces centrally from the People tab on the left main menu.

After refreshing the screen, you will see that Claire’s face is now identified and labeled in the asset.

Share and Download Assets from the Asset Panel

At the bottom of the asset panel, you’ll find various share actions.

• You can share the asset as a CDN link, ideal for publishing or sharing content on the web.
• You can also share as an asset link within the library, or as a collection, web gallery, or zip file.

On the right side of the panel, you’ll see download options.

Use Advanced download to access various renditions of the asset (for example, different sizes or formats).

Here, you can also apply watermarks and configure a custom download to match your exact needs.

For the fastest option, use Quick download to immediately download the default rendition of the asset.

Add Assets to Collections and Use Full Screen View

From the asset panel, you can use the plus (+) icon to add the current asset to a collection with a single click.

Whenever you see the info (i) icon, you can click it to open a full screen view of the asset for closer inspection.

The edit or pencil icon in the panel works the same as described earlier, allowing you to modify the asset’s metadata.

Use the Global Search Bar for Metadata-Based Search

Close the asset panel to return to the Library view.

At the top of the page, use the global search bar as a starting point for finding assets. MediaValet searches through metadata such as titles, descriptions, and keywords to match your query.

Next to the search bar, you’ll see a set of icons that enhance your search experience.

Enhance Results with Smart Image Search

The first icon next to the search bar is Smart Image Search, which uses AI to understand descriptive language and improve search results. Click this icon to activate AI-powered search.

Once Smart image search is engaged, you may see many more results that match your description.

Smart Image Search lets you use natural language instead of relying strictly on metadata, which is helpful when you don’t know the exact file name, description, or keywords. Try refining your query by replacing “students” with “freshmen” and run the search again.

Smart Image Search understands synonyms and related phrases, so you don’t need to type the exact wording. It also works across languages! (Try the same idea in Spanish to see similar results to your English query).

Whenever you use the global search bar, remember to activate or deactivate Smart image search depending on whether you want AI-assisted results or pure metadata-based results.

Use Reverse Image Search

Next to the Smart image search icon, you’ll find Reverse image search.

Reverse image search lets you upload an image to find visually similar assets in your DAM, instead of using text keywords.

Click the icon and upload an image (for example, a photo of a university entrance).

MediaValet will return similar images from the library—such as four visually similar entrance photos—demonstrating how reverse image search can help you quickly locate related assets.

Refine Search Results with Filters

Whenever you run a search, use the filters at the top of your Library page to refine and narrow your results.

Available filters can include file type, upload date, status, custom attributes, and even people identified in images.

Your filter options may look different depending on your configuration and permissions, but they are always worth exploring to streamline your search.

Use Search History and Recently Viewed Assets

MediaValet keeps track of your search history and past asset visits.

You can access these by placing your mouse in the search tray beneath the global search bar. If you want to clear your history, you can delete previous searches from the same area.

Your recently viewed assets are also shown here, which is especially useful if you closed a browser tab and want to quickly resume your work.

Upload Assets to the Library

Uploading new assets is simple. You can drag and drop files directly into a single category in the Library view, which will upload them to that specific category.

Alternatively, go to the Upload tab in the left menu to start an upload from there.

In the Upload tab, drop your files and then select multiple categories as part of the upload flow if you want the assets to appear in more than one place.

Access Help Resources and Provide Feedback

If you’d like to explore more features or need assistance, use the Help Center link at the bottom left of your screen.

At any time, if you have suggestions or comments for the MediaValet team, click the Give feedback tab on the left menu to submit your feedback.

In the Help Center, you’ll find release notes, handy keyboard shortcuts, access to the technical support team, and a searchable collection of help and support articles.

That is the end of a quick tour around your MediaValet library! Take some time to explore all the features within your library. This is just the beginning of your DAM (Digital Asset Management) journey!