Curio: Asset Library User Guide - Simple ISA Information

Curio is a personal library for storing, organising and reusing your best creative assets.

It is designed to complement applications such as Aseprite, Photoshop, Krita, Blender and GarageBand. Curio does not edit your work directly. Instead, it stores a reliable library copy while remembering where the original source file is located.

System requirements

Curio requires:

• A Mac running macOS 14 or later.
• Access to the files you want to add to your library.
• The appropriate creative application installed if you want to open an editable master file.

Understanding assets

Each item in Curio is a logical asset rather than simply an individual file.

An asset can contain:

• A name and category.
• Optional notes.
• One editable master file.
• One or more reusable output files.
• A selected preview.
• Related states or variations.

For example:

Guard

• Master: Guard.aseprite
• Outputs: guard.png
• Related states: Idle, Walk and Attack

Curio also supports output-only assets. For example, you can create a music asset containing only an MP3 without needing a GarageBand or Logic master file.

Master and output files

Master files

A master is the editable source project used to create the asset.

Supported master formats include:

• Aseprite: ASE and ASEPRITE
• Adobe Photoshop: PSD and PSB
• Krita: KRA
• GIMP: XCF
• Blender: BLEND
• GarageBand: BAND
• Logic Pro: LOGICX

Curio stores a library copy and remembers the location of the original master.

Output files

Outputs are the finished files you want to preview or reuse in other projects.

Supported output formats include:

• PNG
• GIF
• JPG and JPEG
• TIFF
• MP3
• WAV
• FLAC
• M4A
• AIFF and AIF

An asset can contain multiple output files.

Adding your first asset

1. Click the + button in the toolbar or press Command–N.
2. Enter a name for the asset.
3. Enter or select a category.
4. Choose a master file, output files, or both.
5. Click Add to Library.

Curio copies the selected files into its managed library. Your original files are not moved or modified.

File relationships are always chosen explicitly. Curio does not assume that similarly named files belong together.

Creating an output-only asset

A master file is optional.

To add an MP3, WAV, PNG or another finished file without an editable project:

1. Create a new asset.
2. Enter its name and category.
3. Leave the master empty.
4. Click Choose Outputs.
5. Select one or more output files.
6. Click Add to Library.

Output-only assets retain a reference to their original output files, allowing Curio to detect later changes.

Browsing the library

The sidebar contains:

• All Assets, which displays every top-level asset.
• Your user-created categories.
• Unlock Curio, if the lifetime unlock has not yet been purchased.

Click a category to show only the assets assigned to it. Click All Assets to return to the complete library.

Selecting an asset opens its details on the right.

Searching

Use the search field in the toolbar to find assets.

Search matches:

• Asset names.
• Categories.
• Notes.
• Master filenames.
• Output filenames.
• Related states.

Partial searches are supported. For example, searching for lamp will find an asset named “Blue Lamp”.

Clear the search field to return to normal category browsing.

Filtering by output type

Use the file-type filter in the toolbar to browse assets by output format.

The menu automatically displays the formats currently present in your library, such as:

• PNG
• GIF
• MP3
• WAV
• JPG

The filter works together with categories and search. For example, you can select the Characters category and then choose GIF to see character assets and related states containing GIF outputs.

Choose All Types to remove the filter.

Master formats such as ASEPRITE and PSD are not included in this filter.

Viewing previews

Curio generates rich previews for supported output formats.

• Images are displayed at a large, clear size.
• Animated GIF files play within the application.
• Audio outputs include playback controls.
• Pixel artwork is displayed sharply without unwanted smoothing.

When an asset contains multiple suitable image outputs, you can choose which one Curio should use as its main preview. Your selection is remembered.

Reusing an asset

Output files can be dragged directly from Curio into:

• Finder.
• Xcode.
• GameMaker.
• Creative applications.
• Other applications that accept file drops.

Locate the output under Files, then drag it using its drag handle into the destination.

Curio supplies its stored library copy, leaving the original source file untouched.

Editing the original master

To continue working on an asset:

1. Select the asset.
2. Click Edit Master.

Curio opens the original master file in the default macOS application for that file type. For example, an ASEPRITE file will normally open in Aseprite.

Curio never edits the file itself.

For an output-only asset, the equivalent action is Open Original.

Publishing an updated version

After editing and saving an original file, return to Curio.

When Curio detects a change, it displays:

Source has changed

Click Update Library to publish the latest source files into Curio.

Curio asks for confirmation before replacing its stored copies. The originals are never modified.

Updates are always explicit—Curio will never automatically overwrite a library version.

Renamed or moved files

Curio monitors the original locations of master and output files.

When a file is renamed within the same location, Curio may recognise the renamed file automatically. It will update the displayed filename when you publish the new library version.

If Curio cannot find the original, it displays:

Source missing

Click Locate and select the file in its new location. Curio will remember the new location without changing the file itself.

Master and output files are tracked independently, so you can relink only the file that has moved.

Adding files to an existing asset

You can add a missing master or additional outputs after an asset has been created.

This is useful for older assets or assets initially added without all their related files.

1. Select the asset.
2. Scroll to Files.
3. Use the add button beside the appropriate file section.
4. Select the new master or output files.

The asset preview and file list will update after the files are added.

Replacing an incorrect file

If the wrong master or output was added:

1. Select the asset.
2. Find the file under Files.
3. Choose the replace action.
4. Select the correct source file.
5. Confirm the replacement.

Curio replaces only its managed library copy and remembers the new original. Neither the old nor new source file is modified.

Removing an output

Individual outputs can be removed without deleting the complete asset.

1. Select the asset.
2. Locate the output under Files.
3. Click its remove button.
4. Confirm the action.

Only Curio’s stored copy is removed. The original output file remains unchanged.

Editing asset details

Click Edit Details to change:

• The asset name.
• Its category.
• Notes.

Editing these details organises the Curio library. It does not rename or modify any master or output files.

Related states

Related states group variations beneath a main asset.

For example, a “Guard” asset might contain:

• Idle
• Walk
• Jump
• Attack

To add one:

1. Select the main asset.
2. Find Related States.
3. Click Add State.
4. Enter the state’s name.
5. Add its master, outputs, or both.
6. Click Add to Library.

Each state manages its own files, previews and source updates.

Related states are unlimited and do not count toward the free top-level asset allowance.

Verifying the library

Choose Verify Library from the toolbar to check Curio’s managed storage.

Verification checks for issues such as:

• Missing library copies.
• Invalid stored paths.
• Assets without files.
• Invalid preview selections.

If everything is healthy, Curio confirms that the library passed verification.

If an issue is found, choose Show Asset to inspect the affected item.

Verification checks Curio’s managed copies. It does not alter the originals.

Removing an asset

To remove an asset:

1. Select it and click Remove, or right-click its card and choose Remove from Curio.
2. Confirm the action.

Curio moves its managed copies to the Trash. Original source files are not changed.

Removing a parent asset also removes its related states from Curio. The confirmation message tells you how many related states are affected.

Free version and lifetime unlock

Curio allows you to create up to eight top-level assets free of charge.

The free version includes:

• Complete browsing and searching.
• Categories and notes.
• Master and output files.
• Related states.
• Preview and playback.
• Source-change detection.
• Drag-and-drop reuse.
• Library verification.

Related states are unlimited.

When you attempt to create a ninth top-level asset, Curio presents the lifetime unlock. A lifetime purchase removes the top-level asset limit permanently.

You can also open the purchase screen using Unlock Curio at the top of the sidebar.

The price is displayed in your local App Store currency.

Restoring a purchase

If you previously purchased the lifetime unlock:

1. Open Unlock Curio.
2. Click Restore Purchases.
3. Follow any instructions displayed by the App Store.

The unlock is associated with the Apple Account used for the original purchase.

What Curio does not do

Curio is intentionally focused and predictable.

It does not:

• Edit creative files.
• Automatically overwrite library versions.
• Synchronise folders continuously.
• Infer relationships from filenames.
• Replace Finder.
• Upload your creative library to the developer.
• Add advertising or tracking to your workflow.

Curio is a curated home for finished, reusable creative work—not a general-purpose file manager.

Keeping your library safe

Curio stores library data locally on your Mac. You should include your Mac’s application data in your normal backup routine, such as Time Machine.

Continue backing up your original creative source files separately. Curio’s managed copies are a reusable library, not a replacement for a complete backup strategy.

Getting help

If you encounter a problem, contact:

peters456@btinternet.com

When requesting help, include:

• Your macOS version.
• Your Curio version.
• The type of file involved.
• A description of what you expected to happen.
• Any error message displayed by Curio.

Avoid sending confidential creative assets unless they are necessary to investigate the problem.