What’s New in Helix DAM

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With Helix DAM 2024.3, we’ve made our asset management system more compatible with a wide range of asset types and updated our core library for a higher-quality preview experience. This release also introduces exciting, highly requested features that make creating and collaborating better – like a more detailed, interactive animation review and sketches for image assets.  

Enhanced Animation Reviews 

Review all animation styles in more detail in our image viewer. 

• New animation controls allow users to see and toggle between every animation. This functionality is currently available for FBX files, with support for more file types coming in future releases. 

• Keyframe-by-keyframe animation views highlight exactly how an animation looks and moves at each step. Plus, users can comment on a specific keyframe. 

• Expanded control options give users the ability to play, pause, and loop animations – as well as zoom in and zoom out – for a complete, immersive view.  

Stills and renderings courtesy of ICVR. 

Sketch Annotations for Images 

Draw on 2D assets to provide comments and feedback in a whole new way.  

• The ability to add sketches to JPG, PNG, and WebP images makes asset review easier, more visual, and more collaborative.  

• Choose between a library of markup tools – pen, highlighter, eraser, and readily-made objects like arrows and circles. 

• Select whether to show or hide sketches when reviewing a file.  

Stills and renderings courtesy of ICVR. 

Native USD Support for Previews 

See high-quality previews for .usd file formats. 

• New support functionality means previews are higher quality.  

Install the latest version of Helix Search to take advantage of this capability. 

In Case You Missed It 

A look back at other stand-out Helix DAM features we added this year.  

• Our 2024.2 release introduced support for classic depots. Users can now link classic depots, stream depots, or a mix of both to any project, maximizing flexibility. 

• Our 2024.1 release enhanced the overall Helix DAM layout and experience, allowing users to navigate the tool with fewer clicks and more efficiently see version history. This release also offers users more granular organization options through the Copy to Folder feature.  

If you’re new to Helix DAM, dive into these much-anticipated features with a free 14-day trial. 

Support for Classic Depots 

Empower your teams with a visual library for any project by linking classic depots, stream depots, or a mix of both.   

• Users can now link to classic depots, also called local depots in Helix Core, when setting up a new project – allowing them to conveniently use the most popular depot type.  
• Helix DAM now supports all Helix Core projects (our last release added support for streams). 
• Maximize flexibility by mixing classic depots and streams in a single project, ideal for more complex setups.  

HTH-CLI Installer Improvement 

All the benefits of Helix DAM, without the wait – installation is now faster, while also reducing error.  

• Ensure system and network requirements are met before installation with new pre-flight checks.  
• Get visibility into installation updates and details with new logging capabilities. 
• HTH-CLI now makes suggestions if something isn’t set up following best practices, so teams can adjust and be proactive.  

Helix Render (Tech Preview) 

The  best preview experience for 3D models, with upgraded fidelity and resolution. 

• See high-quality preview images of your 3D assets. 
• Helix Render supports USD and FBX formats.  

Download this exciting tech preview feature. 

New Helix Sync Welcome Page 

Onboard more easily with step-by-step expert tips.  

Helix Sync, our digital asset management desktop client, is drag and drop versioning for all. Now, it’s easier than ever before to get started with our new welcome page. This resource  guides artists and designers, so they can:  

• Set up Helix Sync quickly.  
• Exploreand personalize their Helix Sync workspace.  
• Discover and download integrations with Photoshop, Maya, and Blender.  

Download the latest version of Helix Sync to take advantage of this new capability.  

If you’re new to Helix DAM, dive into these new features with a free 14-day trial. 

• Links now have a more prominent position in Helix DAM, making them easier to locate and access. 
• The version selector feature can be found next to each asset, so teams can more quickly determine the latest version and see version history. 
• AI tags now have their own icon for improved organization and visibility.  
• Team members can share assets and manage reviewers with fewer clicks.  

Seamless Copy to Folder Feature 

Streamline your team’s ability to reuse assets.  

• When copying files and assets from one part of Helix DAM to another, you can now copy them to a specific folder within a collection. This offers more granular organization and enables asset reuse in fewer steps.  

Regenerate Preview Generation Feature 

Add previews for every asset. 

• In most cases, Helix Search automatically generates preview images for assets. In rare situations where Helix Search was not available or where a manual preview was added, this feature allows you to regenerate a preview image in just one click. 

Upgraded Backend Libraries 

Protect your IP with strengthened security. 

• Various infrastructure updates to backend libraries.  

Connect Helix DAM to Streams in Helix Core

Connect version control with digital asset management to streamline development.

This much-anticipated update allows you to link existing Helix Core streams to Helix DAM. It supercharges the way the two tools work together and allows users to customize their experience. Here’s how to take advantage of this capability: 

First, when creating a new project, use the toggle button to disable the “Automatically create Helix Core depot” setting.  

Then, set up your Helix Core pathing by selecting the depot and mainline that contains the Helix Core streams you would like to view and manage in Helix DAM. Note: You can also import the same streams for multiple projects to enhance asset reuse and collaboration. 

Lastly, set up your Helix DAM view settings and provide a Helix DAM repository display name. 

Follow the guidance for upgrades in ourHelix DAM Administrator Guide to take advantage of this new functionality or contact support if you need further assistance. 

Simplify Workspace Creation

Create Helix Core workspaces directly from Helix Sync. 

We’ve also updated Helix Sync, our desktop digital asset management tool, to make workspace creation more intuitive and efficient. Users can now: 

• Create workspaces in Helix Sync without downloading P4V. 
• Set up a workspace in a few simple steps — just name your workspace and specify where you want to store it.