Adobe Photoshop
Offering seamless search, import, and uploading functionality directly within the Adobe Photoshop interface
The HIVO Adobe Photoshop plugin simplifies digital asset management for creatives. With the HIVO plugin, users can easily locate, integrate, and update design assets, making their creative workflows more efficient. This simplifies version control and allows users to focus entirely on their design work.
Installing the HIVO Extension for Photoshop
For customers who have purchased the integration:
Open Adobe Photoshop on your computer.
Go to the Plugins menu in Photoshop to open Creative Cloud.
Or visit the listing page directly on Adobe Exchange here.
Search for the extension using the keyword "HIVO Connector".
Click the Install button, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Opening the HIVO Extension in Photoshop
In the top menu of Photoshop, select the Plugins tab.
Select HIVO Connector. The HIVO extension panel will appear within your workspace.
Logging into HIVO via the Photoshop Extension
There are only two login options available in the HIVO Connector: logging in via Email + Password or via Passwordless.
Standard Login: If you are logging in via standard email and password, ensure that the email address is linked to a HIVO account authorized to use the Photoshop Connector.
Passwordless Login (for SSO users): If your organization uses Single Sign-On (SSO), please select the Passwordless login option to authenticate.
Browsing and Searching HIVO Assets in Photoshop
The HIVO Adobe Photoshop plugin features a powerful search and filtering system, enabling you to locate and organize your assets stored in the HIVO library.
Inside the Assets tab, you can easily browse and filter all files you have permission to access by using the following controls:
Search Bar: Type keywords directly into the search input field to find assets by their title or metadata.
Mode view: Use this dropdown menu to switch between different viewing perspectives based on your workflow needs:
Asset View: Displays your individual asset files directly as a continuous list.
Folder View: Organizes your assets hierarchically, allowing you to browse through your HIVO library's folder structure.
Sort Options: Use the Sort dropdown menu to organize the list based on specific criteria, such as Created ↓ to view assets chronologically.
Pagination Controls: Navigate through your asset library pages using the arrows and pagination counter (e.g., 1 / 32+) located just above the asset list.
The Collections tab allows you to access curated groups of assets compiled on the HIVO platform.
Search & Filter: Use the Search bar to find collections by name, or check Category view to group them by structural tags.
Refresh & Navigate: Click the refresh icon to update the list, and use the top-right arrows to flip through pages.
View Assets: Click the View assets button on any collection card to display its files in the Assets tab for import.
Importing and Replacing Asset Versions in Photoshop
Each asset card in the list displays a thumbnail preview, the file name, the file size, and the creation date. Beneath each asset title, you can instantly see and select different version, such as original, thumbnail, or web.
You can import assets from the HIVO library directly into your active Photoshop project:
Locate the asset you need within the HIVO Connector panel.
Select the specific Version of the asset you wish to use. The asset will be imported directly into your Photoshop project as a new Layer.
👉 Note on Asset Permissions: User permissions within the Photoshop plugin sync completely with the HIVO library. You can only view and utilize assets that your account has been granted access to by an Admin.
Managing and Saving Current Documents to the HIVO Library
The Document tab within the HIVO Connector allows you to save your active Photoshop project file (psd) directly to your cloud library, ensuring your master design files are safely stored and organized.
👉 Note: HIVO assets exist as a linked HIVO url within Photoshop, as opposed to the asset being stored on your desktop. If there are any missing links, please click Download Missing links in the Document tab.
To save your current working file to HIVO, navigate to the extension panel and click on the Document tab. Follow these steps to complete the upload process:
🔹 Step 1: Verify Document & Click "Save to HIVO"
Under the Current Document section, the plugin automatically detects your active workspace file name (e.g., Authentication Security.psd) and displays its Local Path status.
You can click the Refresh button next to it at any time to update the document state.
Then, click "Save to HIVO" button
🔹 Step 2: Select a Target Folder
Browse the folder tree layout or use the Search for Folder Paths search bar to locate the exact destination folder within your HIVO library.
🔹 Step 3: Save the Asset
Once the target folder is selected, click the Save as New Asset button. The connector will upload your active (.psd) file directly into the designated HIVO folder.
If you decide not to proceed with the upload, you can click the Cancel button to clear your inputs.
🔹 Step 4: View Asset on HIVO
Once the upload is complete, a green confirmation toast will appear. Click the name asset to view your asset directly on the HIVO platform.
Asset Management After Storage (Subsequent Saves)
Saving your file successfully creates a active link between your local Photoshop document and the asset stored on HIVO. Because of this connection, any feedback or comments made on the asset within the main HIVO web will automatically display in real-time inside the Comments tab of your HIVO Connector.
1. View Live Asset Metadata
You can now view the linked asset's specific details directly within the panel:
Versions: Displays available formats or renditions (e.g., original, thumbnail, web).
Size & Modified: Shows the current cloud file size and the exact timestamp of the last modification.
HIVO Path: Displays the exact storage directory where the asset lives.
2. Advanced Saving Methods
When you make changes to your project, you can choose between two flexible saving methods:
Save as New Version: Select this to save your latest changes to the existing cloud asset. A dialog box will prompt you to manage your versioning options:
To overwrite an existing version: You must type the exact name of that target version into the Version Name field (for example, enter "original" to overwrite your primary file) and click Save as New Version. This action will directly overwrite that specific version with your latest design changes.
To create a completely new iteration: Simply enter a brand new unique name in the input field to append a fresh iteration to the asset's version history.
Save as New Asset: Select this if you want to branch off and save your current workspace as a completely separate, independent asset in your library, leaving the original file untouched
3. Detaching from HIVO
If you click the Detach from HIVO button, this active HIVO-to-plugin link will be severed. Once detached, live comment synchronization will stop instantly, and the connector will no longer track or push updates between your local workspace and the cloud asset.
Exporting Assets to the HIVO Library
The Export tab within the HIVO Connector allows you to convert your active Photoshop project into standard image formats (JPEG/ PNG/ GIF/ BMP) and upload them directly to HIVO without manually saving them to your local drive first.
To export your current artwork, navigate to the extension panel and click on the Export tab.
🔹 Step 1: Configure File Settings
Before exporting, define how your file will be formatted using the following input fields:
File Name: Enter the desired title for your exported file in the text input field.
File Type: Click the dropdown menu to choose your target output format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, etc.) based on your distribution needs.
🔹 Step 2: Choose an Export Method
Select one of the three options at the bottom of the panel to determine the export destination:
Export to Version: Uploads the image as a new version or rendition within the currently linked HIVO asset's history.
Export as new Asset: Uploads the image as a completely independent, brand-new asset into a designated folder.
Export to existing Asset: Attaches the image directly to an entirely different asset already existing in your library.
Reviewing and Managing Comments in Photoshop
Once a Photoshop document is saved and linked to the HIVO library, other team members with appropriate permissions can view the asset on the HIVO web platform, leave feedback, and comment on specific file versions.
To review or respond to feedback directly inside your workspace, navigate to the extension panel and click on the Comments tab.
🔹 Viewing and Filtering Comments
All feedback logged on the HIVO platform synchronizes directly into the connector.
Version Dropdown: Select the specific file rendition or version (e.g., web, original, etc.) from the top-right dropdown menu to view comments tied to that exact format.
Status Filter: Use the dropdown filter on the left (set to All by default) to filter the list and focus only on specific feedback categories.
Search Bar: Type keywords into the search input field to quickly locate specific remarks or instructions within the comment thread.
🔹 Replying and Changing Comment Status
You can collaborate and update the progress of each design feedback item directly within the asset card:
Replying to Comments: Click the Reply button on a comment card to enter your response (e.g., "OK"), keeping the entire review history consolidated.
Changing Comment Status: Click the status dropdown menu on the right side of a comment card to mark the progress of the requested design change. You can choose from three statuses:
Request Changes: Mark this when a design update is active or being assigned.
Resolved: Mark this once you have completed the requested edit o close the issue.
Unmark: Use this to reset or clear any previously assigned status indicators.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, we're always here to help!
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