Extension for Asset Metadata Class Definition Bundle

The "Asset Metadata Class Definitions Bundle" is a Pimcore extension of the Enterprise Edition and offers the possibility to create user-defined metadata fields for assets (such as images, PDFs, videos, etc.) - in the form of classes, similar to Data Objects. This allows assets to be provided with structured, specific additional information.

What Exactly Is the Asset Metadata Class Definition Bundle?

With this extension, metadata classes can be defined which then apply to specific assets. These classes consist of fields such as:

• Text fields (e.g. description, copyright)
• Date fields (e.g. publication date)
• Select fields (e.g. category, license type)
• Booleans, relations etc.

This metadata can be

• be maintained in the asset overview,
• be read out programmatically (e.g. when rendering media on the website),
• be integrated into workflows and automations.

Typical data that is stored on assets is

• the textual description of the image
• the name of the photographer
• a license (e.g. royalty-free, CC-BY, etc.)
• an expiry date of the use

With an asset metadata class definition, such a structure can be clearly mapped and made available for all assets in the "Product images" folder.

The Advantages of Using the Asset Metadata Class Definition Bundle

• Standardized structure for asset metadata
• Better searchability and filterability
• Automation/rules possible (e.g. for expired licenses)
• Improvement of digital asset management processes (DAM)

New Option Provider for Select Fields

As already mentioned, this additional metadata can also be added via select fields. The use of select fields prevents duplicate entries, spelling errors and different spellings during input. Previously, entering a large number of possible options quickly became unwieldy. However, our new option provider for select fields considerably simplifies the selection and management of options and makes the management of metadata much more efficient and user-friendly.

Since asynchronous loading of selection field options is also possible via the option provider, selection fields with over 20,000 options no longer pose a performance problem. This significantly improves the user experience, as large quantities of options can be displayed without delays. This concept will soon also be applied to data object selection fields in the Pimcore core. We have made the new Option Provider available as a pull request for the Asset Metadata Class Definitions Bundle.

If you would like to stay up to date on future news and best practices around Pimcore, digital commerce and marketing, please subscribe to our newsletter.