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

# Load Image from Asset

> Pick an image from the ComfyTV **project asset library** as pipeline input—ideal for reusing generated, edited, or imported results in the current project, not raw `input/` files.

<Frame caption="Load Image from Asset · screenshot coming soon">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/comfytv/dMkMxJDZdIo4YzAU/images/nodes/_placeholder.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=dMkMxJDZdIo4YzAU&q=85&s=b54171099e5b02d4313fe581171ebbcc" alt="Load Image from Asset" width="800" height="450" data-path="images/nodes/_placeholder.svg" />
</Frame>

## What this node does

**Load Image from Asset** is an **Input** stage with an embedded **asset picker**: category tabs, search, and a thumbnail grid. Clicking a thumbnail immediately outputs a `COMFYTV_IMAGE` snapshot.

The library holds media from stage runs in the **current ComfyTV project** and items imported via the **Assets** sidebar. Each entry has lineage (source stage) so you can trace where an image came from.

vs **Load Image** (ComfyUI `input/` folder): external files → Load Image; in-project results → this node.

## When to use it

* After **Image Stage**, branch off and pick another image from the library for editing.
* Reuse one shot from **Shot Images** without regenerating the whole storyboard batch.
* Use **Load as asset node** from an image hover menu for a pre-filled picker node.
* Share artifacts across branches in one project without re-running upstream stages.

## How it works (why ComfyTV is designed this way)

* **Stage vs Run**: **No ▶ Run**—click a thumbnail to register a snapshot; no workflow, no full-graph queue.
* **Snapshots**: The asset payload URL is stored in the project; downstream Runs read it. Picking another image updates the snapshot.
* **Library vs input/**: `input/` is ComfyUI-global; the asset library is scoped by **Project** and holds ComfyTV stage outputs plus explicit imports.
* **No workflow**: Selection only—not `workflows/image/`.

## Types (COMFYTV\_\* vs native ComfyUI)

| ComfyTV type     | What it is                | vs ComfyUI native                        |
| ---------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| `COMFYTV_IMAGE`  | Single-image URL snapshot | Not `IMAGE` tensor                       |
| `COMFYTV_IMAGES` | Multi-image JSON batch    | Image Picker splits batches to one image |
| Native `IMAGE`   | In-memory tensor          | Needs **→ ComfyTV Image** Bridge first   |

Details: [bridges.md](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/bridges.md)

## UI and parameters

### Asset picker (node body)

* **What**: Scrollable thumbnails, **category** tabs (`all` or custom), **search**.
* **How**: Click to select; populate the library by running generators or sidebar import first.
* **Effect**: Defines the output `COMFYTV_IMAGE`.
* **Common mistake**: Empty category ≠ broken—switch back to `all`.

### asset\_url / asset\_id / category (hidden)

* **asset\_url**: Internal payload URL written by the UI—the actual output.
* **asset\_id**: Library id for lineage/debug.
* **category**: Last category filter, persisted when reopening workflows.

### project\_id / parent\_output\_id (internal)

* Tied to **Project**; libraries are project-scoped.

## Outputs

| Output    | Type            | Meaning                 | Typical downstream                                          |
| --------- | --------------- | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **image** | `COMFYTV_IMAGE` | Selected asset snapshot | Image Picker, image edit stages, Video Stage (I2V), Compare |

## Step by step for beginners

1. Add **Project** and name your project (assets are per-project).
2. Run an image stage (e.g. **Image Stage**) or import via **Assets** sidebar to **fill the library**.
3. **Add Node → ComfyTV → Input → Load Image from Asset**.
4. Browse thumbnails; filter/search as needed.
5. **Click** the target image—preview updates; **no Run**.
6. Wire **image** downstream and **▶ Run** there.

## Full guides (recommended reading)

> This page covers **one node only**. For end-to-end workflows, multi-stage pipelines, type conversion, and design rationale, see the [ComfyTV user guides](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/tree/main/docs) on GitHub:

| Guide                                                                                    | Contents                                                                |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Getting started](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/getting-started.md) | Install, canvas basics, per-stage Run, snapshots, Project, Image Picker |
| [Compose](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/compose.md)                 | Image Picker, Compare, Storyboard→Shot Images, timeline                 |

## Repository and workflows

| Resource               | Link                                                                                                                                             |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **GitHub repository**  | [https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV)                                                                       |
| **User guides index**  | [https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/tree/main/docs](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/tree/main/docs)                                         |
| **Built-in workflows** | [https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/tree/main/workflows](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/tree/main/workflows)                               |
| **Model checklist**    | [https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/models.md](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/models.md)                     |
| **Custom workflows**   | [https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/custom-workflows.md](https://github.com/jtydhr88/ComfyTV/blob/main/docs/custom-workflows.md) |

## FAQ

**Q: Empty asset library?**\
A: Run a generator under the same **Project**, or import from the sidebar. Confirm Project matches the canvas.

**Q: vs Load Image (input/)?**\
A: **External/raw files** → **Load Image**. **Project generated/imported** → **Load Image from Asset**. Loaders **reuse**; generators **create** (Image Stage).

**Q: Native plugin images?**\
A: Run **→ ComfyTV Image** Bridge first so the result enters the library.

**Q: Click does nothing?**\
A: Refresh the page; verify asset URLs are still valid.

## Related nodes

* **Load Image** — raw `input/` files.
* **Load Video from Asset** / **Load Audio from Asset** — same pattern for other media.
* **Image Stage** — writes new images to the library.
* **Image Picker** — pick from wired upstream batches (live), complementary to library browsing here.