> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gradial.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Asset Operations

> Step-by-step reference for uploading assets, updating alt-text, managing metadata, and swapping assets in your AEM DAM using Gradial.

Gradial's asset operations handle the repetitive DAM tasks that slow down content production — uploads, alt-text, metadata updates, and asset swaps — applying your naming conventions, taxonomy, and metadata standards automatically.

***

## Upload Asset

Upload images, PDFs, and other assets to your AEM DAM with automatic metadata enrichment.

### How it works

1. **Create a task** describing what you want to upload and any relevant context (campaign, brand, usage).
2. **Attach your assets** to the task request.
3. **Gradial processes the upload** — the AEM Authoring Agent uploads assets, applies naming conventions, and populates metadata; the AEM QA Agent validates all assets meet guidelines.
4. **Review the results** in the Artifact Preview panel.

### What Gradial does automatically

| Action                         | Description                                                                                            |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Applies naming conventions** | Renames files to match your DAM standards (e.g., `Coca-Cola-Global-HolidaySanta-2025`)                 |
| **Generates descriptions**     | Creates searchable descriptions based on image content                                                 |
| **Tags from your taxonomy**    | Applies relevant tags from your controlled vocabulary — brand, campaign, season, asset type, geography |
| **Detects duplicates**         | Identifies if an asset already exists and marks it as "Reused from DAM" instead of creating duplicates |
| **Sets DAM location**          | Places assets in the correct folder path based on brand and campaign                                   |

### Asset status badges

In the Artifact Preview, each asset displays a status badge:

* **Newly Uploaded** — Asset was added to the DAM for the first time
* **Reused from DAM** — Asset already existed; Gradial linked to the existing version instead of duplicating

### Viewing asset details

Click any asset in the Artifact Preview to see file information, auto-generated description, applied tags, DAM folder path, created date, and a direct link to open the asset in AEM.

### Example

> "Upload these holiday assets for our Holiday campaign 2025"

Gradial uploads with proper naming (e.g., `Brand-Global-HolidayHero-2025`), generates descriptions from image content, and applies 10–15 taxonomy tags including brand, campaign, season, theme, asset type, and geography.

***

## Update / Validate Alt-Text

Ensure your image assets have accurate, accessibility-compliant alt-text.

### How it works

1. **Create a task** requesting alt-text validation or generation for specific assets or folders.
2. **Gradial scans the assets** to identify missing or inadequate alt-text.
3. **Alt-text is generated** following accessibility best practices.
4. **Review and approve** the generated alt-text before it's applied.

### Alt-text standards

Gradial generates alt-text that:

* Describes the content and function of the image
* Stays concise (under 125 characters when possible)
* Avoids redundant phrases like "image of" or "picture showing"
* Includes visible text and brand elements
* Distinguishes informative images from decorative ones

**Example output:**

> "Product bottle held against red background with seasonal decorations; Holiday Campaign 2025 key visual."

***

## Update Asset Metadata

Keep your DAM metadata accurate and consistent with bulk updates and automated governance.

### How it works

1. **Create a task** describing the metadata changes needed.
2. **Specify the scope** — individual assets, folders, or assets matching certain criteria.
3. **Gradial updates the metadata** according to your request and taxonomy.
4. **Review changes** in the task results.

### Common use cases

* **Campaign ended** — Update campaign status metadata across all related assets
* **Taxonomy change** — Replace old terms with new controlled vocabulary
* **Rights expiration** — Flag or archive assets approaching license expiration
* **Missing fields** — Populate required metadata fields left blank on ingestion
* **Bulk corrections** — Fix inconsistent tagging across a set of assets

Gradial can update any metadata field in your DAM schema: title, description, keywords, tags, brand and campaign associations, usage rights and licensing, geographic and language targeting, asset type, and custom fields.

***

## Asset Swap

Replace an existing asset with a new version while preserving all DAM links, metadata relationships, and downstream references.

### How it works

1. **Create a task** identifying the asset to replace and providing the new asset.
2. **Gradial validates** that the new asset meets specifications.
3. **The swap is executed** — DAM link/Asset ID preserved, metadata reviewed and updated, alt-text regenerated for the new image.
4. **Downstream systems** receive the updated asset automatically.

### Swap options

**Upload New File** — Attach the replacement asset directly to your task. Gradial uploads it as a new version of the existing asset.

**Link to Existing DAM Asset** — Reference another asset already in your DAM. Gradial creates a redirect from the old Asset ID to the new one.

### What Gradial handles

| Aspect              | How it's managed                           |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **DAM link**        | Preserved — existing URLs continue to work |
| **Alt-text**        | Regenerated for the new image content      |
| **Metadata**        | Carried forward with option to update      |
| **Relationships**   | Updated across linked/derivative assets    |
| **Version history** | Previous version retained for rollback     |

After a swap, Gradial confirms the new asset renders correctly, alt-text is present and accurate, metadata is complete, and the asset is accessible via its original DAM link.

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## Asset Search

For finding and acting on assets at scale — building brand-matched campaign matrices and detecting visual duplicates — see [Asset Search](/docs/asset-management/asset-search).

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## Tips for best results

**Be specific in your task requests.** Include campaign names, brand guidelines, and any special requirements so Gradial can apply the right metadata.

**Use consistent terminology.** Reference campaigns, brands, and asset types using the same terms defined in your taxonomy.

**Review before publishing.** Always review generated metadata and alt-text before final approval.

**Check for duplicates.** Watch for the "Reused from DAM" badge — it means Gradial found an existing match and avoided creating a duplicate.

***

*For how Gradial governs asset quality and rights exposure, see [Digital Asset Management](/docs/asset-management/digital-asset-management).*