Introduction

Post-production via API connectors to external service providers can be really helpful and make the process a lot more secure. These are services like Pixelz, Bright River and similar.

In ProStudio we have a specific process to handle this in the Work Order. This process handles all the communicatrion the the third party provider and controls the process back and forth.

Pre-requisites

In order for this process to work you need to set up a connector with the service provider. This is done under Settings/Integrations.

Currently we have a connector with Pixelz but depending on your needs and the service provider you want to use, we can create new connectors. You also have to have an account with the service provider that you want to use.

External Post production

Creating a Post-production task

The post-production tasks can be set up in the Work Order, this is also where you will monitor and control the task. To create the task, please follow these steps:

1. Select the Work Order you aim to work with
2. Select the Assets tab on this Work Order
3. Select the images you want to send for retouch
4. Select "Action/Create task/External retouch
5. Select Integration
   1. In my case I selected "Pixelz"
6. Select the template
   1. I selected "Green BG" wich means I want a green background"
7. Click "Save"

This creates a task on this Work Order that can be monitored

Monitor the task

Tasks can be monitored under the "Tasks" tab on the Work Order. There will be a list of different tasks where you can follow the status of the task, who is assigned the task and much more.

By clicking on the task "Title" you may open the task for more detailed information. Here you can see all the assets that has been sent to retouch in the task. These assets are grouped under three different headings depending on where they are in the retouching process:

1. At retouch
2. Ready to import
3. Imported

Thumbnails in ProStudio will show the image in its current state, it will be updated with new thumbnails as it is moved through the retouching process.

Depending on the type of service provider there may be a link underneath the image. This link is a way to access the image directly in the service providers portal to get more detail of the assets or even do som commenting.

Any asset that has not been managed properly by the service provider will be indicated with an Error label.

Importing assets

Once assets are OK from the retouching partner, they can be imported to ProStudio. To do this, the images you want to import must be "Ready to import". To import simply do the following

1. Select the images you want to import
   1. All or just selected
2. Click "Import"
3. The assets are imported to the Assets view with a new status