Derivative Files

Derivative files describes assets that are created from the original. In Digital Asset Management Systems, these can refer to previews that enable users to see what an asset looks like before they download it. They may include a variety of options such as thumbnail images, Flash Video, low resolution or watermarked editions of images. As well as previews, derivative files sometimes refers to assets that will be used for production purposes but where some key aspect has been altered (e.g. the size, format, or colour space). The term derivative files can almost be used interchangeably with surrogate files, although the former expression implies a wider range of uses.