---
title: DAM asset picker
slug: cms-saas/docs/dam-assets
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-30T20:18:10.000Z
---

The Optimizely Digital Asset Management (DAM) asset picker lets you browse an asset collection.

DAM assets are supported on the following property types:

- Content Reference
  Developers can optionally assign an item type to a `Content Reference` property (such as `cmp_PublicImageAsset`). When an item type is assigned, only that type is assignable to instances of the property. The Graph schema for the property then uses the referenced type directly, so casting and projections are not required in the query. See [Onboard DAM to CMS (SaaS)](docId\:hhc3b8vrrOAPJVFHoCWJv).
  Define the item type in the content-type JSON sent to Optimizely Graph:

```json
"ProductSingleRef": {
  "type": "IProduct",
  "helpText": "",
  "searchable": false,
  "ref": {
    "type": "Product",
    "id": "_id"
  }
}
```

| Field      | Description                                                                                                                |
| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `type`     | The type to use when querying. This can be an interface, abstract base type, or the same concrete type as in `ref`.        |
| `ref.type` | The concrete type to reference in Optimizely Graph.                                                                        |
| `ref.id`   | The field to match on — acts as a join. Setting this to `_id` joins on the `_id` field of the referenced content instance. |

- List of Content References
  Supports referencing multiple DAM assets from a single property.
- Image
  A `Content Reference` property with an image base type set as the allowed type.

## Prerequisites

- A developer must enable the DAM asset picker with Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) by following the instructions [Onboard DAM to CMS (SaaS)](docId\:hhc3b8vrrOAPJVFHoCWJv).
- You must log in for the first time you use the DAM library. Thereafter, the asset picker displays automatically.

## Limitations

- Using assets in a **Content Area** is not yet supported. To use DAM assets in a **Content Area**, you should create a shared block, such as an **ImageBlock** that contains a **Content Reference** property.
- The property's **Allowed Types** must include images, video, or documents for the DAM picker to display. If the allowed types exclude all three, the picker does not display. Using **ReferenceType** is not supported.
- The CMS PaaS Projects feature is not yet supported in CMS (SaaS) or the DAM asset picker.
- You cannot export DAM assets from one environment into another because integration is limited to two instances of CMS and Optimizely Content Marketing Platform (CMP).
- Any content type that has a content reference property, or a list of content reference properties, can reference assets managed in the DAM. CMS is aware of the identity of the asset and the source system it belongs to and the remainder of the data regarding those assets are stored and managed in the DAM.

## DAM benefits

CMS assets are organized by **Media** folders and files in a content tree structure.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/t6rZk7SOgh9nN-BVVZkZ3_6666ab57b01ba8e12c110711327af1bb148a2e546988bac5596ea77c9c757128-image.png)

The DAM provides a location to store assets independent from the CMS content tree structure. It also provides comprehensive options for finding assets. You can filter, sort, and find assets through search.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/99wSuLZ3bR948BELUotzo_a8e74882f8b54aa3320873fa14257a3123abfaeac68445719f58563fb62f79d3-image.png)

1. Click **Filter** to display only the assets that have the properties that you select. See [Filter assets](docId\:SJw5SSN2ZehPyrawTu-RP) later in this topic.
2. Enter a partial or full name of an asset in the **Search** field to narrow down the displayed assets.
3. Select **Category View**, **Grid View** (shown), or **List View** to view assets in the way you want.
4. Sort the assets ascending or descending by **Title**, **Type**, **Owner**, **Last Modified**, or **Date Created**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/fouspeCID7BJprGWZMn2u_232d8e0e6d67b1da8ce9efa7934e549a50bba78d79175a074a7e0f3eab29b8fd-image.png)

**List View** has additional sorting by columns and you can add many more columns to **List View** (see the following image). See [List view planning](docId\:MOUyMNLMYqZ2w7GV-SIr2) in the CMP documentation.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/uHH4fOzVvEgT_Yh1VhQ-i_f40fa533a080ed9043ff5a46f818cbcf7224a2abdcea96c7831bce12b5823e77-image.png)

5. Click **Add** > **Upload** to add assets to the DAM. If you do not see the **Add** button, see [Add assets to the DAM](docId\:SJw5SSN2ZehPyrawTu-RP) later in this topic.
6. Select an asset to display asset details.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/PprKTwk7T58WTW3D0TKg2_b271d7bb1f70dcc91b6d7d2173a77d03dbb746f1c7c73b1e8861c00ecf942833-image.png)

## Select content from the DAM

When [DAM is installed](docId\:hhc3b8vrrOAPJVFHoCWJv) and the Content Manager Selector is enabled, Content Reference, List of Content Reference, and Image property editors display the following actions:

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/-tz65ClGjIy_qrtgdBhk__9025437fae19c875c6dc815791c883b5c3ba0acf8caebca7725844a78fc281f5-image.png)

- **Browse** – Opens the Content Manager picker to select an asset from CMS (SaaS).
- **Browse DAM** – Opens the Content Marketing Platform (CMP) Library picker to select an asset from DAM. The CMP Library opens pre-scoped to the instance configured on the **Settings > Optimizely DAM Features** page; you cannot switch instances from within the picker.
- **Upload** – Uploads a file directly to CMS (SaaS).
- **Remove** – Removes the currently selected asset. This action is available only when an asset is selected.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
**Browse DAM** is available only when a CMP instance is configured on the **Settings > Optimizely DAM Features** page and the property's **Allowed Content Types** include images, video, or documents.
:::

Assets selected from CMP Library are verified against Optimizely Graph. If the asset is not found in Optimizely Graph, an error message displays, and the asset is not applied.

## Select a rendition

A rendition is an alternate version of an asset that DAM generates from the original, such as a crop or a resized copy. Select a rendition when a placement needs a specific size or shape. See [Renditions](docId\:K6CvtpxbzsZ7Cdt164p_0) for how renditions are created.

Renditions must already exist in DAM before you can select them. Create them in the CMP Library. If an asset has no renditions, the **Renditions** tab does not display.

You select a rendition from an image, video, or content reference property while you edit content. The property's button is labeled for the content it accepts, such as **Select Image**, **Select Video**, **Select Media**, or **Select Content** for a single item, or **Add Images**, **Add Media**, or **Add Contents** for a list. When DAM is connected, the button opens a drop-down list with **Browse** and **Browse DAM**.

Which option you use depends on the property:

- **Single-item property** – Use **Browse** or **Browse DAM**.
- **List property** – Use **Browse DAM**. The Content Manager picker that **Browse** opens for a list property shows renditions but does not let you select them.

### Select a rendition with Browse

1. Click the property's button, such as **Select Image**, and select **Browse**. The Content Manager picker opens.
2. Click a DAM image or video to open its detail pane.
3. Click the **Renditions** tab. The tab displays only for assets that have renditions.
4. Click the rendition you want, either in the list or in the **Size comparison** chart. To use the full asset instead, click **Original** at the top of the list.

   ![screenshot of the Content Manager picker detail pane where the Renditions tab shows Original, a selected rendition, and the Size comparison chart](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/9pDXaRc1zjbFVHdJZ2jz4_dam-renditions-in-content-picker.png)
5. Confirm that the rendition is highlighted, then click the dialog's confirm button, which has the same label as the property's button, such as **Select Image**.

### Select a rendition with Browse DAM

1. Click the property's button and select **Browse DAM**. The CMP Library picker opens.
2. Open the asset and choose one of its renditions instead of the original. For a list property, you can select renditions and originals together.
3. Click **Choose**.

### How CMS (SaaS) uses the rendition

CMS (SaaS) stores the rendition on the property and delivers it to your frontend through Optimizely Graph. The frontend receives the correct asset, so a developer does not have to adjust it in frontend code. For how a selected rendition appears in a Graph query, see [Renditions in query results](docId\:hhc3b8vrrOAPJVFHoCWJv). Usage reporting in DAM records the rendition, so asset lineage reflects the file that is published.

Only image and video renditions can be selected. Documents and other raw files do not support renditions.

## Filter assets in the DAM

Assets have many properties, so you can apply many filters to access the assets you want. Click **Filters** to display the **Filters** panel. The **Filters** button shows how many filters are currently selected.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/a-GKciEwFqed1f0TnUZ53-20260722-181224.png)

In the **Filters** panel, you have many categories from which to choose, and each category has one or more filters you can use to help you find the assets you are looking for.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/SPGqB0GMcSP5v_Vylozfl_aa8917c177e4b12cc62ff451a6d7c76fda5ae14dfdb98e443a4d990fc2416c46-image.png)

- **Quick Filters** – Show assets that are marked with a star.
- **Shared By filters** – Applies to CMP applications only. Show assets that are in selected CMP organizations.
- **Status filters** – Show assets that are **Active**, **Archived**, and **Expired**.
- **File Formats filters** – Show assets that are of selected formats. **Folders** and **Images** are selected by default. Click **Show All** at the bottom of the list to display additional formats.
- **Content Model Name filters** – Applies to CMP applications only. Show assets that are in selected Content Model Names.
- **Expiry Date filters** – Displays a date picker where you can select the beginning and ending Expiry dates you want, and a list of time periods (**This Week**, **This Month**, and so on) for fast filtering. To remove this filter, clear the **All Time** field.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/OjNi72aBn5_GaF6UcvUPx_d91535fd3b95ce59b2be81e9f3ee090dc50a648e5676129d9624e5b17f059020-image.png)

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/IHtG1gwRTX-ZaxGT8Wp8z_4b1ef9955da09ae66529667b3f76811b993832537d400a9aee6b72ce42231837-image.png)

- **Content Types filters** – Applies to CMP applications only. Select **Original** and **Licensed** assets.
- **Languages filters** – Select from the available languages.
- **Starred filters** – Toggle **Yes** to filter assets that are marked with a star.
- **Campaigns filters** – Applies to CMP applications only. Click **Select Campaigns**. Select one or more campaigns to display assets in those selected campaigns.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/StCHcsSGRelhqh1jLWf4S_ba0d21cf1659dade7f87f2b8ce3abddf182fa4d194f89c97d4834c2b92bb8099-image.png)

- **Add Filters** – Click **Add Filters** to add one or more filters to the **Filters** panel. Administrators define filters in CMP by creating a field. See [Manage fields](#) in the CMP documentation for information.

## Add assets to the DAM

:::hint{type="warning"}
**Important**
You can use the DAM to select assets, but if you do not see an **Add** dropdown in the DAM asset picker, you cannot add assets to the DAM; you can skip this section.  To add assets to the DAM, your Opti ID and CMP role must have the following permissions set by an administrator:

- **Opti ID** – **DAM Creator** access. See [Manage roles and permissions](docId\:kwj5GClJJTxjDSdDQSd-o) in the Opti ID documentation
- **CMP** – Select your (Admin) avatar > **Asset Management** > **Enable upload from external asset picker**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/susQpVLxTr96Wez0kyIFb_33c25dd688cdb05c2b13418d3bc6f4368e419f32cf57a653d3faa3d7e0739d69-image.png)
:::

1. After you open the DAM, select **Add** > **Upload**. (If you do not see an **Add** button, see the note above.)

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/XYVF5FM-B8jhNqkXdnGzC_89c87a222d982c994b170f5799f6de51e9b7fd65e45589aeea43df4be59e15d6-image.png)

The upload view displays.

2. Click **My Device** and click **Select Files to Upload** (in this example).  You can select your device, **Stock Images**, **Asset Address (URL)**, or from several other sources.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/leEIk3b_ieFfo8prRmCbu_26a42ade2c4b24077e2040f5a0c930c703e726a1be23bc2e4181b4b6791415f3-image.png)

3. Select one or more assets and click **Open**.
4. The files upload to an **Uploading assets** window (see below), where you can enter asset details before the assets are added to the DAM. Optionally select **Auto-complete once assets are uploaded** to automatically upload the assets. Click **Apply** to apply the details to one or more selected assets, because you may be working on several files with different details before completing the upload. When you finish entering details, **Apply** changes to **Done**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/DNIhnFKIiMb54ZGEj7R1z_6792f0652a15a967e647551a55d2dbe5a2d77799e6135c430efeec1742dff97e-image.png)

5. If you select only one asset in the DAM asset picker, the metadata displays in a panel. Click **Choose** to finalize a selection of one or more assets.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/N9rmwUTaotirEB0NsuMnK_07e52ae41ca1c2ceb5d9533addca9e5d42d7af3b3cfbaf6af682dc08ac7152e9-image.png)

## Add AI-generated assets to the DAM

The DAM lets you create AI-generated images. See [Generate AI Images](docId\:ZUpGCGsT8qQfBDKXf_rSv) in the CMP documentation for information.

:::hint{type="warning"}
**Important**
You can use the DAM to select assets, but if you do not see an **Add** dropdown in the DAM asset picker, you cannot add assets to the DAM; you can skip this section.  To add assets to the DAM, your Opti ID and CMP role must have the following permissions set by an administrator:

- **Opti ID** – **DAM Creator** access. See [Manage roles and permissions](docId\:kwj5GClJJTxjDSdDQSd-o) in the Opti ID documentation
- **CMP** – Select your (Admin) avatar > **Asset Management** > **Enable upload from external asset picker**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/L8s3N5LINwb8z-ayW2mmM_84bf8d8add83aae82616e6c0bc11ed92428d0453e760f1a6e3e28a711c38f829-image.png)
:::

1. Select **Add** > **Generate Image**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/hx3GUKxIMtSnrr_T42A1s-20260722-181224.png)

2. In the **Generate Images** window, enter a description of the image you want AI to create, such as *Hot air balloon floating over the Grand Canyon* and click **Create**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/aPUGGjW6hhwAaOTmoUS7D_01d7a312c030891a28bcb281313f1d4a6f6d35cd7e7bedff4af977e4c4159829-image.png)

3. The **Fine-tune the creative assets** window displays. Select the images you like and click **Add Selected**. If you want a newly generated image, click **Generate Variations** on an image you want to replace.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/HTd5lIVWhNFbULK81FVDS_e159be127ce5bc971b5fb3459cc403ac60ebba75ed4c0018dd37b9c837b14581-image.png)

4. The **Uploading assets** window displays where you can add asset details to each one, or selected assets. Click **Apply** to set the asset details and **Done** when all asset details are entered. Select **Auto-complete once assets are uploaded** to automatically upload the assets immediately.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/Nf3Xg4BtLEs-bUUrnp5_1_18c86f7e8c13417c5565383bcedf808bef3738cb0adb17da0a66f3e4c06d2718-image.png)

5. The AI-generated assets display in the DAM. If you select an asset in the DAM, its details display in a details panel.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/Qs6i4V52eOG_tIllkk3d7_1681df75b80ca1d9750222d48b41e27f7922723a69b8bfc581316e2b53592bb6-image.png)

## Folders and assets for a deleted user

When a team member leaves, DAM handles their folders and assets in the following way:

- **Folders** – The creator's name still displays on the folder with a **(Deleted)** tag beside their name.
- **Files within the folders** – DAM shows the deleted user as the owner of the file without a **(Deleted)** tag.

Both the folders and their files remain visible and accessible to any other user with whom they were originally shared.