# Asset nodes

> Asset nodes hold a saved character, face, creature, location or object, with approved pictures and a description, so it looks the same in every generation.

Source: https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets

An **asset** is a saved subject that you reuse to keep generations consistent: a character, a face, a creature, a location or an object. Each asset keeps approved pictures and a written description. When you connect an asset node to an image or video node, or mention it with `@`, Nodaro sends those pictures and that description with every run, so the same subject appears in every shot.

## The asset nodes

| Node | Holds | Built in |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Character Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/character) | A person: portrait, expressions, poses, angles, lighting, motion clips, voice | The Character Studio |
| [Create Face](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/create-face) | A facial identity from one photo | The settings panel |
| [Animal/Creature Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/creature) | An animal or a mythical creature: angles, poses, variations, motion clips, voice | The Creature Studio |
| [Location Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/location) | A place: time of day, weather, seasons, angles, lighting, atmosphere clips | The Location Studio |
| [Object/Props Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/object) | A prop or a product: angles, materials, variations, motion clips | The Object Studio |

## How an asset is made

Every studio follows the same steps:

1. **Describe the subject**: a name, a description, a style and, for some assets, a category.
2. **Generate and approve the main picture.** Make one candidate or several, and approve the one to keep. Approving writes a detailed **canonical description** of the subject, which is sent with it to later generations.
3. **Add variants**, such as expressions, weather or materials. With **Style Lock** on, which is the default on locations, objects and creatures, every variant starts from the approved picture.
4. **Add reference photos** on the **References** page, when you have real photos of the subject.

The studios save as you work, and generation runs on the server, so a result is added to the asset even if you close the studio while it generates.

## How an asset reaches a generation

- **The Assets input.** Connect the asset node's identity output, such as **Character** or **Location**, to the **Assets** input of [Generate Image](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/generate-image) or [Generate Video](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/generate-video).
- **A mention.** Type `@` and the asset's name in the prompt, for example `@maya:1`. A mention can pick a variant and a role, such as the clothes of a character or the lighting of a location. Read [Reference roles](https://nodaro.ai/docs/guides/reference-roles).
- **The Image output.** Every studio asset also has an **Image** output that carries its main picture as a plain image, for any image input.

On the Character Asset node, the **Role** and **Identity lock** menus set how the character's picture is used by default.

## Your library and the Public Gallery

Assets are saved to your library, so you can use them in other workflows. On any asset node, **Choose existing** opens a picker with two tabs:

- **My Library**: your saved assets.
- **Public Gallery**: assets shared with everyone. Choosing one copies it into your library first. The Public Gallery is available on Nodaro Cloud and the Business edition. Read [Community library](https://nodaro.ai/docs/guides/community-library).

Deleting an asset archives it. Nodes that already use it keep working, and you can restore it.

## Build sheets and boards from assets

The **Assets** tab of the node picker also shows [Reference Sheet](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/reference-sheet) and [Reference Board](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/reference-board). Reference Sheet composes a turnaround or expression sheet from a character, an object or a location. See [Reference boards](https://nodaro.ai/docs/guides/reference-boards) for when to use each.

## Every asset node

Press Tab on the canvas and open the **Assets** tab. The nodes are grouped in families:

- [Character Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/character) (Characters)
- [Create Face](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/create-face) (Characters)
- [Animal/Creature Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/creature) (Creatures)
- [Location Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/location) (Places)
- [Object/Props Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/object) (Objects)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is an asset in Nodaro?

An asset is a saved character, face, creature, location or object. It keeps approved pictures and a written description, so every image and video that uses it shows the same subject.

### How do I use an asset in a generation?

Connect the asset node to the Assets input of Generate Image or Generate Video, or mention the asset with @ in the prompt. Nodaro sends its approved picture and description with every run.

### Where do I edit an asset?

In its studio. Character, Location, Object/Props and Animal/Creature assets each open a full-screen studio from the node. Create Face is set up in the settings panel.

### Can I reuse an asset in another workflow?

Yes. Assets are saved to your library. On any asset node, click Choose existing and pick the asset from My Library, or copy one from the Public Gallery on Nodaro Cloud and the Business edition.