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Quickstart for Feature Film Productions

1. Create a new production

Click on the Create a new production button:

Create a production

A dialog appears:

Add a production

Enter your production name, choose a Production Type, and select your production style (2D, 3D).

Then, you must fill in technical information, such as the number of FPS, the Ration, and the Resolution.

All these data will be used when Kitsu re-encodes the video previews uploaded.

Then, you need to define your production's start and end dates.

You can define your production workflow in the next part, 3 to 6.

You need to select your asset task type (3), shot task type (4), task status (5), and asset types (6).

Add a production Pipeline

TIP

To create your Production Workflow, you will select Task Types from the Global Library.

If you realize you missed some Task Types, you can create them later.

See the Studio Workflow section.

Then, 7 and 8 are the option parts. If you already have a spreadsheet with your asset/shot.

See the Import from CSV sections of each entity page for more details:

Validate everything with the All done button.

all done button

Using Production Templates

Getting a new production set up often means repeating the same configuration steps over and over like choosing task types for shots and assets, defining task statuses, and adjusting project-wide settings to match your team's workflow.

With Project Templates, you can start from a predefined setup in one click:

When creating a new production, simply pick a template and Kitsu will automatically apply your preferred settings.

In the example above, the template comes bundled with pre-configured asset types, task types, task statuses, etc. we don't need to pick manually from the Global Library:

Check out the section Create Your Own Production Template below to add your own.

2. Create an Asset

So, now that we have created our production and have a general grasp of the Kitsu interface, it's time to create our first asset.

On the asset page, click on Add assets.

Asset page first time

WARNING

When you create an asset, your task workflow will be applied, and all the tasks will be created simultaneously as the asset.

A pop-up window opens:

It asks you to choose the Asset Type (1). If you didn't add a new asset type, Kitsu will provide examples such as Characters, Environment, FX, Props, etc. Let's start with a character.

TIP

You can also customize the asset type list and the tasks pipeline. See the guide ( Customization of the workflow) for more details

We give it a Name (2) and enter a description that helps the Artist know what to do and quickly identify the asset.

Click on Confirm and stay if you have multiple assets to create.

Create an asset

You can change the asset type and keep adding assets.

TIP

The newly created asset appears in the background whenever you click on Confirm and stay.

After adding your last asset, click on Confirm. It will create the asset and close the window.

TIP

If you click on **Confirm and stay, ** realize you don't have more assets to add, and click on **Close, ** the window will be canceled.

Global asset page

You will also see the tasks that are selected for your assets workflow are created at the same time.

If you need to add more Assets, click the + Create assets button.

Import Assets From a Spreadsheet

You may already have your asset list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import it: browsing to a .csv file, or copying and pasting your spreadsheet data directly into Kitsu.

Go to the asset page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon.

Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. From here, choose one of the two methods below.

Option 1: Import a CSV file

First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file. Then click on Browse to pick your .csv file.

Import csv file

Option 2: Copy / paste a spreadsheet file

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy it.

Import copy data

Back in the pop-up window, click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab

Paste your previously selected data.

Import data copy paste data

Finishing the import

To see the result, click on the Preview button. You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.

Import data copy paste data

Once everything looks good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

You have imported all your assets into Kitsu and created the tasks according to your Settings.

Import data copy paste data

See the Details of an Asset

To see an asset's detail, click on its name.

Asset detail

A new page opens with the list of the tasks, the assignation, and the status newsfeed on the right.

Asset detail page

You can click on the status of each task to open the comment panel and see the history of the comments and the different versions.

Asset detail page

You can also access the Casting,

Asset detail casting

concept linked to this asset,

Asset detail casting

The Schedule is available if you have previously filled out the task type page data. If you have already filled out the data, you can modify them directly here.

Asset detail casting

the Preview Files uploaded at various task types,

Asset detail casting

And the Timelog if people have filled out their timesheet on the tasks of this asset.

Asset detail casting

3. Update Your Assets

You can update your assets at any point, change their name and asset type, modify their description, and add any custom information you added to the global page.

You can edit assets by going to the asset page, hovering over the asset you want to modify, and then clicking on the edit button Edit button (1) on the right side of the line.

Edit an asset

To extend the description on the main asset page, click on the first words (2), and a pop-up with the full description will open.

Update Assets with the CSV Import

You can use the CSV import to update your data quickly.

You can update the type of an asset, the Assignation, the Status of tasks, and add a Comment.

You need to switch on the option Update existing data. Then, the lines that will be updated will be highlighted in blue.

Import data copy paste data

Update Assets by Copying / Pasting a Spreadsheet File

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.

Import copy data

Then, go back to the asset page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon Import Icon.

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab   You can paste your previously selected data and see the result with the Preview button.   Import data copy paste data   You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.   You need to switch on the option Update existing data. Then, the lines that will be updated will be highlighted in blue.

Import data copy paste data

You have imported all your assets into Kitsu and created the task according to your Settings.

Import data copy paste data

4. Add More Tasks After Creating the Assets

If you realize after creating the assets that a task type is missing, you can still add them.

First, ensure the missing task type is added to the production's Settings page under the Task Type tab.

Then go back to your Assets page and click on the + Add tasks button.

5. Create a Concept

To upload a concept, click the Add a new reference to concepts button.

You can upload one or several concepts at the same time.

Concept empty page

Once you upload your previews, the concept page will look like this.

Concept filled page

Alternatively, if you're coming from the Todo Page:

  1. Click Return to Production to access the dashboard.
  2. Navigate to the Concepts page via the main menu.
  3. Click Add a new reference to concepts and upload your files.

Upload concepts

6. Create a Shot

It's time to create shots for your production.

You need to go to the Shots page: you can use the dropdown menu and click on the SHOTS.

Drop down menu shot

Click on the Add shots button to start with the shot creation.

First add shots

WARNING

When you create a shot, the task workflow you have designed will be applied, and all the tasks will be created at the same time as the shot.

A new pop-up opens for the creation of the shots. You can now add sequences and corresponding shots:

Manage shots

Enter the first sequence, for instance, SQ01, then click add.

To add shots to this sequence, select it and type a name in the input field of the shots column (e.g SH0020), then again click add.

TIP

You can also define padding for your shots instead of doing it manually.

If you want to name your shots ten on ten as SH0010, SH0020, SH0030, etc, set the Shot Padding to 10.

You can now see that new shots are listed and linked by their sequence: you just created the first shot of the first sequence!

Now, let's add more shots.

The input field already pre-writes an incremented name code based on your padding, so you just have to keep clicking on add to create more shots:

Add shots

To add more sequences, go to the left part, type the name of your new sequence, and then click on add.

Your second sequence is selected, and you can now add shots.

TIP

If a shot is misplaced on a sequence, you have to edit the shot in its dedicated Shot page to change the sequence. Look at the section Update your shots for more information.

7. Create Shots from an EDL File

# Managing Shots

WARNING

Shots are linked to Sequences in Kitsu. You must create a sequence first to populate it with shots.

Create a Shot

It's time to create shots for your production.

You need to go to the Shots page: you can use the dropdown menu and click on the SHOTS.

Drop down menu shot

Click on the Add shots button to start with the shot creation.

First add shots

WARNING

When you create a shot, the task workflow you have designed will be applied, and all the tasks will be created at the same time as the shot.

A new pop-up opens for the creation of the shots. You can now add sequences and corresponding shots:

Manage shots

Enter the first sequence, for instance, SQ01, then click add.

To add shots to this sequence, select it and type a name in the input field of the shots column (e.g SH0020), then again click add.

TIP

You can also define padding for your shots instead of doing it manually.

If you want to name your shots ten on ten as SH0010, SH0020, SH0030, etc, set the Shot Padding to 10.

You can now see that new shots are listed and linked by their sequence: you just created the first shot of the first sequence!

Now, let's add more shots.

The input field already pre-writes an incremented name code based on your padding, so you just have to keep clicking on add to create more shots:

Add shots

To add more sequences, go to the left part, type the name of your new sequence, and then click on add.

Your second sequence is selected, and you can now add shots.

TIP

If a shot is misplaced on a sequence, you have to edit the shot in its dedicated Shot page to change the sequence. Look at the section Update your shots for more information.

Import Shots
From an EDL File

You may already have your shots list ready in an EDL file. With Kitsu, you can directly import your EDL file to create the sequence, shot, number of frames, Frame in and out, and more.

On the Global Shot Page, you will see an Import EDL button.

Import EDL Button

You can select the naming convention of the video file used during the editing on the pop-up.

Import EDL Menu

It means the video clip on the editing is named as project_sequence_shot.extension.

Here is an example of an EDL for the LGC production.

EDL Example

The video files are named  LGC_100-000.mov, which means LGC is the production name, 100 is the sequence name, and 000 is the shot name.

You can import the EDL file once you have the naming convention.

Then click on Upload EDL

Then Kitsu will create the shots.

EDL Shot creation

From a Spreadsheet File

You may already have your shots list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import them: importing a .csv file directly, or copy-pasting your data directly into Kitsu.

Option 1: Import a CSV file

First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file.

Then, return to the shot page on Kitsu and click the Import icon. Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.

Import csv file

Option 2: Copy / paste from a spreadsheet

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.

Import copy data

Then, go back to the shot page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon. Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab

You can paste your previously selected data.

Import data copy paste data

Previewing and confirming your import

Whichever method you used, click on the Preview button to see the result.

You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.

Import data copy paste data

Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

All your shots are imported into Kitsu, and the task is created according to your Settings.

Import data copy paste data

See the Details of a Shot

If you want to see the details of a shot, click on its name.

Shot detail

A new page opens with the list of the tasks, the assignation, and the status newsfeed on the right. You can navigate through each by clicking on the name of the tabs.

Shot detail page

You can click on the status of each task to open the comment panel and see the history of the comments and the different versions.

Shot detail page

You can also access the Casting,

Asset detail casting

The Schedule is available if you have previously filled out the task type page data. If you have already filled out the data, you can modify them directly here.

Asset detail casting

the Preview Files uploaded at various task types,

Asset detail casting

And the Timelog if people have filled out their timesheet on the tasks of this asset.

Asset detail casting

Add More Tasks After Creating Shots

If you realize after creating the shots that a task is missing, you can still add it afterwards.

First, make sure the missing task type is added to the Settings page under the Task Type tab.

Then go back to the Shots page and click on + Add tasks.

Update Shots

You can update your shots at any point, change their names and sequences, modify their descriptions, and add any custom information you added to the global page.

You can edit shots by going to the shot page, hovering over the shot you want to modify, and then clicking on the Edit button:

Edit an asset

To extend the description on the main shot page, click on the shot name, and a pop-up with the full description will open.

From CSV

You can use the CSV Import to update your data in bulk.

Open your spreadsheet, copy your data, and paste it like in the Import Shots From CSV section.

The only difference is you need to switch on the Option: Update existing data.

The updated shots will apear in blue:   NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.   Import data copy paste data

Add the number of Frames and Frame ranges to the shots

Once your animatic is done, you have the length (number of frames, Frame range In, and Frame range Out) for each shot. You can add this information to the spreadsheet to make sure that all the frames are accounted for in your pipeline.

WARNING

If you have created your shots and sequence by hand, the Frame column will be hidden. You must edit at least one shot and fill in the number of frames to display the Frame column.

The column will be displayed if you have created your shots and imported the number of frames with a CSV/spreadsheet.

You need to edit the shots to fill in the frame range information. Click on the Edit icon on the right side of the shot line:

edit shot Change sequence

You can enter the shots Frame In and Frame Out in the new window. Then, save by clicking the Confirm button.

Shot edit page

Now, the frame range appears on the general spreadsheet of the shot page

Shot edit page

TIP

If you enter the Frame In and Frame Out, Kitsu automatically calculates the Number of Frame.

Now that you have unlocked the Frames, In, and Out columns, you can edit the cells directly from the global shot page. Simply, click on the cell you want to edit:

Shot edit page

Again, you can use the CSV Import to update your frame ranges faster.

Access a Shot's Change History

You can also access the change history of your shots.

Just click the History icon:

Shot framerange detail

And a dialog will appear with a table listing all your changes:

Shot Values History

Remove Shots

Hover over the shot row you wish to remove in the list and click the Delete icon:

remove shot button

8. Update your shots

# Managing Shots

WARNING

Shots are linked to Sequences in Kitsu. You must create a sequence first to populate it with shots.

Create a Shot

It's time to create shots for your production.

You need to go to the Shots page: you can use the dropdown menu and click on the SHOTS.

Drop down menu shot

Click on the Add shots button to start with the shot creation.

First add shots

WARNING

When you create a shot, the task workflow you have designed will be applied, and all the tasks will be created at the same time as the shot.

A new pop-up opens for the creation of the shots. You can now add sequences and corresponding shots:

Manage shots

Enter the first sequence, for instance, SQ01, then click add.

To add shots to this sequence, select it and type a name in the input field of the shots column (e.g SH0020), then again click add.

TIP

You can also define padding for your shots instead of doing it manually.

If you want to name your shots ten on ten as SH0010, SH0020, SH0030, etc, set the Shot Padding to 10.

You can now see that new shots are listed and linked by their sequence: you just created the first shot of the first sequence!

Now, let's add more shots.

The input field already pre-writes an incremented name code based on your padding, so you just have to keep clicking on add to create more shots:

Add shots

To add more sequences, go to the left part, type the name of your new sequence, and then click on add.

Your second sequence is selected, and you can now add shots.

TIP

If a shot is misplaced on a sequence, you have to edit the shot in its dedicated Shot page to change the sequence. Look at the section Update your shots for more information.

Import Shots
From an EDL File

You may already have your shots list ready in an EDL file. With Kitsu, you can directly import your EDL file to create the sequence, shot, number of frames, Frame in and out, and more.

On the Global Shot Page, you will see an Import EDL button.

Import EDL Button

You can select the naming convention of the video file used during the editing on the pop-up.

Import EDL Menu

It means the video clip on the editing is named as project_sequence_shot.extension.

Here is an example of an EDL for the LGC production.

EDL Example

The video files are named  LGC_100-000.mov, which means LGC is the production name, 100 is the sequence name, and 000 is the shot name.

You can import the EDL file once you have the naming convention.

Then click on Upload EDL

Then Kitsu will create the shots.

EDL Shot creation

From a Spreadsheet File

You may already have your shots list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import them: importing a .csv file directly, or copy-pasting your data directly into Kitsu.

Option 1: Import a CSV file

First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file.

Then, return to the shot page on Kitsu and click the Import icon. Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.

Import csv file

Option 2: Copy / paste from a spreadsheet

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.

Import copy data

Then, go back to the shot page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon. Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab

You can paste your previously selected data.

Import data copy paste data

Previewing and confirming your import

Whichever method you used, click on the Preview button to see the result.

You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.

Import data copy paste data

Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

All your shots are imported into Kitsu, and the task is created according to your Settings.

Import data copy paste data

See the Details of a Shot

If you want to see the details of a shot, click on its name.

Shot detail

A new page opens with the list of the tasks, the assignation, and the status newsfeed on the right. You can navigate through each by clicking on the name of the tabs.

Shot detail page

You can click on the status of each task to open the comment panel and see the history of the comments and the different versions.

Shot detail page

You can also access the Casting,

Asset detail casting

The Schedule is available if you have previously filled out the task type page data. If you have already filled out the data, you can modify them directly here.

Asset detail casting

the Preview Files uploaded at various task types,

Asset detail casting

And the Timelog if people have filled out their timesheet on the tasks of this asset.

Asset detail casting

Add More Tasks After Creating Shots

If you realize after creating the shots that a task is missing, you can still add it afterwards.

First, make sure the missing task type is added to the Settings page under the Task Type tab.

Then go back to the Shots page and click on + Add tasks.

Update Shots

You can update your shots at any point, change their names and sequences, modify their descriptions, and add any custom information you added to the global page.

You can edit shots by going to the shot page, hovering over the shot you want to modify, and then clicking on the Edit button:

Edit an asset

To extend the description on the main shot page, click on the shot name, and a pop-up with the full description will open.

From CSV

You can use the CSV Import to update your data in bulk.

Open your spreadsheet, copy your data, and paste it like in the Import Shots From CSV section.

The only difference is you need to switch on the Option: Update existing data.

The updated shots will apear in blue:   NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.   Import data copy paste data

Add the number of Frames and Frame ranges to the shots

Once your animatic is done, you have the length (number of frames, Frame range In, and Frame range Out) for each shot. You can add this information to the spreadsheet to make sure that all the frames are accounted for in your pipeline.

WARNING

If you have created your shots and sequence by hand, the Frame column will be hidden. You must edit at least one shot and fill in the number of frames to display the Frame column.

The column will be displayed if you have created your shots and imported the number of frames with a CSV/spreadsheet.

You need to edit the shots to fill in the frame range information. Click on the Edit icon on the right side of the shot line:

edit shot Change sequence

You can enter the shots Frame In and Frame Out in the new window. Then, save by clicking the Confirm button.

Shot edit page

Now, the frame range appears on the general spreadsheet of the shot page

Shot edit page

TIP

If you enter the Frame In and Frame Out, Kitsu automatically calculates the Number of Frame.

Now that you have unlocked the Frames, In, and Out columns, you can edit the cells directly from the global shot page. Simply, click on the cell you want to edit:

Shot edit page

Again, you can use the CSV Import to update your frame ranges faster.

Access a Shot's Change History

You can also access the change history of your shots.

Just click the History icon:

Shot framerange detail

And a dialog will appear with a table listing all your changes:

Shot Values History

Remove Shots

Hover over the shot row you wish to remove in the list and click the Delete icon:

remove shot button

9. Add more tasks after creating the shots

# Managing Shots

WARNING

Shots are linked to Sequences in Kitsu. You must create a sequence first to populate it with shots.

Create a Shot

It's time to create shots for your production.

You need to go to the Shots page: you can use the dropdown menu and click on the SHOTS.

Drop down menu shot

Click on the Add shots button to start with the shot creation.

First add shots

WARNING

When you create a shot, the task workflow you have designed will be applied, and all the tasks will be created at the same time as the shot.

A new pop-up opens for the creation of the shots. You can now add sequences and corresponding shots:

Manage shots

Enter the first sequence, for instance, SQ01, then click add.

To add shots to this sequence, select it and type a name in the input field of the shots column (e.g SH0020), then again click add.

TIP

You can also define padding for your shots instead of doing it manually.

If you want to name your shots ten on ten as SH0010, SH0020, SH0030, etc, set the Shot Padding to 10.

You can now see that new shots are listed and linked by their sequence: you just created the first shot of the first sequence!

Now, let's add more shots.

The input field already pre-writes an incremented name code based on your padding, so you just have to keep clicking on add to create more shots:

Add shots

To add more sequences, go to the left part, type the name of your new sequence, and then click on add.

Your second sequence is selected, and you can now add shots.

TIP

If a shot is misplaced on a sequence, you have to edit the shot in its dedicated Shot page to change the sequence. Look at the section Update your shots for more information.

Import Shots
From an EDL File

You may already have your shots list ready in an EDL file. With Kitsu, you can directly import your EDL file to create the sequence, shot, number of frames, Frame in and out, and more.

On the Global Shot Page, you will see an Import EDL button.

Import EDL Button

You can select the naming convention of the video file used during the editing on the pop-up.

Import EDL Menu

It means the video clip on the editing is named as project_sequence_shot.extension.

Here is an example of an EDL for the LGC production.

EDL Example

The video files are named  LGC_100-000.mov, which means LGC is the production name, 100 is the sequence name, and 000 is the shot name.

You can import the EDL file once you have the naming convention.

Then click on Upload EDL

Then Kitsu will create the shots.

EDL Shot creation

From a Spreadsheet File

You may already have your shots list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import them: importing a .csv file directly, or copy-pasting your data directly into Kitsu.

Option 1: Import a CSV file

First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file.

Then, return to the shot page on Kitsu and click the Import icon. Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.

Import csv file

Option 2: Copy / paste from a spreadsheet

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.

Import copy data

Then, go back to the shot page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon. Import Icon

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab

You can paste your previously selected data.

Import data copy paste data

Previewing and confirming your import

Whichever method you used, click on the Preview button to see the result.

You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.

Import data copy paste data

Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

All your shots are imported into Kitsu, and the task is created according to your Settings.

Import data copy paste data

See the Details of a Shot

If you want to see the details of a shot, click on its name.

Shot detail

A new page opens with the list of the tasks, the assignation, and the status newsfeed on the right. You can navigate through each by clicking on the name of the tabs.

Shot detail page

You can click on the status of each task to open the comment panel and see the history of the comments and the different versions.

Shot detail page

You can also access the Casting,

Asset detail casting

The Schedule is available if you have previously filled out the task type page data. If you have already filled out the data, you can modify them directly here.

Asset detail casting

the Preview Files uploaded at various task types,

Asset detail casting

And the Timelog if people have filled out their timesheet on the tasks of this asset.

Asset detail casting

Add More Tasks After Creating Shots

If you realize after creating the shots that a task is missing, you can still add it afterwards.

First, make sure the missing task type is added to the Settings page under the Task Type tab.

Then go back to the Shots page and click on + Add tasks.

Update Shots

You can update your shots at any point, change their names and sequences, modify their descriptions, and add any custom information you added to the global page.

You can edit shots by going to the shot page, hovering over the shot you want to modify, and then clicking on the Edit button:

Edit an asset

To extend the description on the main shot page, click on the shot name, and a pop-up with the full description will open.

From CSV

You can use the CSV Import to update your data in bulk.

Open your spreadsheet, copy your data, and paste it like in the Import Shots From CSV section.

The only difference is you need to switch on the Option: Update existing data.

The updated shots will apear in blue:   NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.   Import data copy paste data

Add the number of Frames and Frame ranges to the shots

Once your animatic is done, you have the length (number of frames, Frame range In, and Frame range Out) for each shot. You can add this information to the spreadsheet to make sure that all the frames are accounted for in your pipeline.

WARNING

If you have created your shots and sequence by hand, the Frame column will be hidden. You must edit at least one shot and fill in the number of frames to display the Frame column.

The column will be displayed if you have created your shots and imported the number of frames with a CSV/spreadsheet.

You need to edit the shots to fill in the frame range information. Click on the Edit icon on the right side of the shot line:

edit shot Change sequence

You can enter the shots Frame In and Frame Out in the new window. Then, save by clicking the Confirm button.

Shot edit page

Now, the frame range appears on the general spreadsheet of the shot page

Shot edit page

TIP

If you enter the Frame In and Frame Out, Kitsu automatically calculates the Number of Frame.

Now that you have unlocked the Frames, In, and Out columns, you can edit the cells directly from the global shot page. Simply, click on the cell you want to edit:

Shot edit page

Again, you can use the CSV Import to update your frame ranges faster.

Access a Shot's Change History

You can also access the change history of your shots.

Just click the History icon:

Shot framerange detail

And a dialog will appear with a table listing all your changes:

Shot Values History

Remove Shots

Hover over the shot row you wish to remove in the list and click the Delete icon:

remove shot button

10. Adding Frame Numbers and Ranges to Shots

Once your animatic is done, you have the length (number of frames, Frame range In, and Frame range Out) for each shot. You can add this information to the spreadsheet to make sure that all the frames are accounted for in your pipeline.

WARNING

If you have created your shots and sequence by hand, the Frame column will be hidden. You must edit at least one shot and fill in the number of frames to display the Frame column.

The column will be displayed if you have created your shots and imported the number of frames with a CSV/spreadsheet.

You need to edit the shots to fill in the frame range information. Click on the Edit icon on the right side of the shot line:

edit shot Change sequence

You can enter the shots Frame In and Frame Out in the new window. Then, save by clicking the Confirm button.

Shot edit page

Now, the frame range appears on the general spreadsheet of the shot page

Shot edit page

TIP

If you enter the Frame In and Frame Out, Kitsu automatically calculates the Number of Frame.

Now that you have unlocked the Frames, In, and Out columns, you can edit the cells directly from the global shot page. Simply, click on the cell you want to edit:

Shot edit page

Again, you can use the CSV Import to update your frame ranges faster.

11. Creating Custom Metadata Columns

To add a new custom metadata column, click on the + icon next to the Name column.

Metadata Column

First, choose the name you prefer for your field. Then, select the appropriate Type based on your needs:

  • Text: This type accommodates text based input, including both letters and numbers. It offers flexibility in storing information such as descriptions, comments, or textual content.

  • Number: Reserved solely for numerical data. It's recommended for tracking information exclusively comprised of numerical values, such as framerates, dates, or times.

  • Checkbox: This option allows you to mark items as either on or off. It's suitable for tracking data with only two possible states, like indicating shots intended for a trailer cut.

  • List of values: With this type, you define a list of options from which only one unique element can be selected. It's ideal when you need to track data with a limited number of choices. For instance, for tracking camera movements, options like "Static," "Pan," "Tilt," or "Zoom" could be included.

  • List of tags: Here, you can define multiple tags. Unlike a list of values, which allows selecting only one item, this type enables selecting multiple entries from the list.

  • Checklist: This type presents a list of options, each accompanied by its own checkbox. It's useful for tracking minor sub-tasks associated with a shot or asset, which don't warrant their own task in the production pipeline.

Metadata Column detail

WARNING

When creating Text and Number metadata types, a default value is not required upon creation.

However, when using the List of value, List of tags, and Checklist, you have to specify which values you want to include at the point of creation.

Metadata Column list

Type the list elements below Available values, and confirm them by clicking on Add value.

12. Create a Sequence

Once you have your task types ready in the settings page, you can create a sequence.

This new page behaves like the asset and shot global page. You can add your edits with the + New Sequence button.

You can assign tasks, do the review, change status, etc.

You can add a metadata column, fill in the description, etc.

TIP

You can create a sequence directly from here (+New sequence button) or create a sequence linked to your shots from the global shot page.

You can Rename and Delete the Sequence entity on this page, as for the asset and shot entity.

If you click on the name of a sequence, you will see the detail page of this sequence.

Sequence detailed page

On the detailed page, you have access to the sequence casting to see all the assets used in the whole sequence.

You can also access the schedule, Preview Files, Activity, and Timelog of the sequence tasks.

13. Create an Edit

WARNING

Per default, the Edit page will not be displayed until you have task types for it on your production library (setting page)

To use this page, you need to first create a dedicated task type on your Global Library with the Edit attribute.

See the Creating a New Task Type section to create a new Task Type.

Once you have created your Task Types  on your Global Library, add them to your Production Library, you will see the Edit displayed on the navigation drop-down menu.

Navigation Edit

This new page behaves like the asset and shot global page. You can add your edits with the + New edit button.

You can assign tasks, do the review, change status, etc.

You can add a metadata column, fill in the description, etc.

TIP

Depending on your deliveries, you can also change the resolution per Edit.

WARNING

The detail page is different from the other entities.

As Edit focuses on a specific long video, the detail page looks more like the comment detail page.

You can Rename and Delete the Edit entity on this page for the asset and shot entity.

14. Create a Breakdown List

On the left of the breakdown page is the episode/sequence/shot menu (1); you can choose between those you created. They are the right part of the screen; all the assets created are available for this production (main pack and episodes) (3). Moreover, in the middle section, it is your selection for the shot (2).

Breakdown page

So now you have to select the shot you want to cast.

You can display the assets as text if you don't have thumbnails yet or enlarge the thumbnails size.

Breakdown page text display

You may also realize an asset needs to be added to the list during your breakdown.

You can create a new asset directly from the breakdown page. Click the + on the right of the All available assets.

Breakdown page create asset

You can also choose multiple shots at once. Click on the first shot, hold the shift key, and click on the last shot of your selection.

Breakdown page global bulk select

Then click on the assets you want to assign: characters, backgrounds, ... from the right part (3). If you have selected multiple shots, your selection is applied to the numerous shots.

Copy a shot filled with assets and paste this asset selection into another shot.

You can see a +1 or +10 when you pass over the asset. It's the number of times you add this asset, and you can click on it as many times as you need.

Breakdown add asset

You can also link all your assets to episodes on a TV show without specifying a sequence or shot.

Breakdown episode asset

This way, you can link all your assets to one or several episodes before the storyboard/animatic stage.

You can now see the asset in the middle of the screen (2). Next to the asset's name is the number of times it has been added. In this example, we have added the character asset Llama two times.

If you add an asset twice by mistake, you must go to the screen's middle part to select assets for this shot (2). From there, click on -1. When you finish this shot, go on with the other shots. Your selection is automatically saved.

Breakdown remove asset

If a new asset is created during the storyboard, return to the asset page (using the dropdown menu) and create the needed assets. The tasks previously created are applied immediately to these new assets. However, you have to do the assignment, and then you can continue with the breakdown.

Now, your Breakdown page should look like this.

breakdown add asset bulk

You can also make a breakdown list for your assets if you need to assemble them and keep track of the separate parts.

On the top left corner of the screen, choose asset in the dropdown menu below FOR.

Breakdown asset menu

You can now access a second dropdown menu to choose your asset type: Character, Environment, Props, FX, ...

Breakdown asset type

You can complete the asset breakdown page the same way you did the shots. First, select one or more assets on the left part and then add the right part's elements.

Create a Breakdown List from a CSV File

You may already have your breakdown list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import it: the first is to import a .csv file directly, and the second is to copy-paste your data directly into Kitsu.

First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file following Kitsu's recommendation.

Click on the import button Import button

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.

Breakdown import csv file

To see the result, click on the Preview button.

You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.

Breakdown import Preview

Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

Now, you have your breakdown imported into Kitsu.

Breakdown import Preview

Create a Breakdown List by Copying / Pasting a Spreadsheet File

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.

Import copy data

Then, go back to the breakdown page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon Import Icon.

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab   You can paste your previously selected data and see the result with the Preview button.   Import data copy paste data   You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.   NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.   Import data copy paste data

Once everything is good, click on the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

Now, all your assets have been imported into Kitsu.

Import data copy paste data

15. Casting from the Asset Library

It is also possible to cast assets from the global Asset Library into your production. This allows you to cast an already existing asset, without the need to re-create it for each production.

Asset Library Display

To see assets outside of your production from the asset library, click the Display Library Button (1)

Assets from the global asset library will appear, and will be highlighted with a yellow boarder (2). They can then be cast in your breakdown exactly the same as other assets.

Asset Library View

Back on your productions asset page, you can choose to display global assets that have been cast in your production by toggling the Display Library button (1). These assets will be highlighted in yellow, indicating that they originate from the global asset library, and not your current production. (2).

To learn more about the Asset Library, visit the dedicated section.

16. Introduction to Asset State: Ready For

# Breakdown & Casting

Filling out the breakdown helps you with the assembly of the shots. With the breakdown, you have all the details of the assets you need to add to create your shot, and we are sure to omit nothing.

On the dropdown menu, choose BREAKDOWN.

drop down Menu breakdown

Create a Breakdown List

On the left of the breakdown page is the episode/sequence/shot menu (1); you can choose between those you created. They are the right part of the screen; all the assets created are available for this production (main pack and episodes) (3). Moreover, in the middle section, it is your selection for the shot (2).

Breakdown page

So now you have to select the shot you want to cast.

You can display the assets as text if you don't have thumbnails yet or enlarge the thumbnails size.

Breakdown page text display

You may also realize an asset needs to be added to the list during your breakdown.

You can create a new asset directly from the breakdown page. Click the + on the right of the All available assets.

Breakdown page create asset

You can also choose multiple shots at once. Click on the first shot, hold the shift key, and click on the last shot of your selection.

Breakdown page global bulk select

Then click on the assets you want to assign: characters, backgrounds, ... from the right part (3). If you have selected multiple shots, your selection is applied to the numerous shots.

Copy a shot filled with assets and paste this asset selection into another shot.

You can see a +1 or +10 when you pass over the asset. It's the number of times you add this asset, and you can click on it as many times as you need.

Breakdown add asset

You can also link all your assets to episodes on a TV show without specifying a sequence or shot.

Breakdown episode asset

This way, you can link all your assets to one or several episodes before the storyboard/animatic stage.

You can now see the asset in the middle of the screen (2). Next to the asset's name is the number of times it has been added. In this example, we have added the character asset Llama two times.

If you add an asset twice by mistake, you must go to the screen's middle part to select assets for this shot (2). From there, click on -1. When you finish this shot, go on with the other shots. Your selection is automatically saved.

Breakdown remove asset

If a new asset is created during the storyboard, return to the asset page (using the dropdown menu) and create the needed assets. The tasks previously created are applied immediately to these new assets. However, you have to do the assignment, and then you can continue with the breakdown.

Now, your Breakdown page should look like this.

breakdown add asset bulk

You can also make a breakdown list for your assets if you need to assemble them and keep track of the separate parts.

On the top left corner of the screen, choose asset in the dropdown menu below FOR.

Breakdown asset menu

You can now access a second dropdown menu to choose your asset type: Character, Environment, Props, FX, ...

Breakdown asset type

You can complete the asset breakdown page the same way you did the shots. First, select one or more assets on the left part and then add the right part's elements.

Create a Breakdown List from a CSV File

You may already have your breakdown list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import it: the first is to import a .csv file directly, and the second is to copy-paste your data directly into Kitsu.

First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file following Kitsu's recommendation.

Click on the import button Import button

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.

Breakdown import csv file

To see the result, click on the Preview button.

You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.

NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.

Breakdown import Preview

Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

Now, you have your breakdown imported into Kitsu.

Breakdown import Preview

Create a Breakdown List by Copying / Pasting a Spreadsheet File

Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.

Import copy data

Then, go back to the breakdown page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon Import Icon.

A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.

Import data copy paste tab   You can paste your previously selected data and see the result with the Preview button.   Import data copy paste data   You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.   NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.   Import data copy paste data

Once everything is good, click on the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.

Now, all your assets have been imported into Kitsu.

Import data copy paste data

Casting from the Asset Library

It is also possible to cast assets from the global Asset Library into your production. This allows you to cast an already existing asset, without the need to re-create it for each production.

Asset Library Display

To see assets outside of your production from the asset library, click the Display Library Button (1)

Assets from the global asset library will appear, and will be highlighted with a yellow boarder (2). They can then be cast in your breakdown exactly the same as other assets.

Asset Library View

Back on your productions asset page, you can choose to display global assets that have been cast in your production by toggling the Display Library button (1). These assets will be highlighted in yellow, indicating that they originate from the global asset library, and not your current production. (2).

To learn more about the Asset Library, visit the dedicated section.