Pics.io allows you to create multiple shortcuts for single original assets. It means that your assets can be located in multiple collections at once. Besides, you have an opportunity to create a copy of an original asset. This way you can create two identical files (duplicates) serving different purposes and edit metadata separately for each of them.
NB! In Pics.io, duplicates are identified based on file content, not file name or metadata.
We use hash values (MD5 checksums) calculated from each file's content. Files with identical content will have the same hash value, while files with any differences will have different values. This means that visually similar files with different metadata are not considered duplicates.
What are renditions in Pics.io
With the latest update, you can also create modified copies of assets (renditions) directly in Pics.io without downloading files.
These copies can include changes such as format, size, quality, or crop, while the original asset remains unchanged.
How can I create a copy of an asset?
Mouse over a thumbnail and select the "Create asset copy" button
Select the collection you would like to copy the asset to.
Configure the required settings — including format, size, quality, and crop or resize (see below) — if needed. When cropping, a live image preview will display your selection in real time inside the dialog.
Press the Confirm button.
NB! When creating a copy, the result can be:
A plain copy: an exact duplicate with no additional changes applied.
A copy with changes (rendition): a copy that includes modifications applied during the copy process (such as format, size, quality, crop, or resize changes) without altering the original asset.
What can be changed in a rendition?
When creating a copy with changes (rendition), you can:
Change the file format (including WebP)
Resize the asset (proportionally, with locked aspect ratio)
Adjust quality (if available)
Crop the image using predefined aspect ratio presets (including social media formats)
Crop the image freeform by manually dragging and resizing the crop area
Save the copy next to the original asset, or into a selected collection
NB! The original asset is not modified. A new file is created instead.
Original vs Custom preset
When the Original preset is selected in the Create Copy dialog, all transformation settings (format, resize, crop, quality) remain disabled. An informational note is shown above the settings:
"To edit image settings, select the Custom preset below. The Original preset creates an exact copy."
If you hover over a disabled control while the Original preset is active, a tooltip will appear: "Select Custom preset under 'Copy as' to unlock this setting."
Once you switch to the Custom preset, all transformation controls become editable and the informational note disappears.
Cropping your asset
The Create Copy dialog includes a visual crop UI with a live image preview. You can choose between two cropping modes or use a social media preset.
Aspect ratio crop (center crop)
When you select a predefined aspect ratio, Pics.io automatically creates the largest possible centered crop rectangle at that ratio. You can reposition the crop box as needed, and the live preview updates in real time as you adjust the selection.
Available aspect ratio presets:
1:1
4:3
3:4
16:9
Freeform crop
Freeform crop lets you manually define the crop area by dragging and resizing the crop box using corner handles. The live preview updates as you adjust the selection, giving you full control over which part of the image is included in the rendition.
Social media presets
For quick setup, you can choose from platform-specific presets that automatically configure the crop ratio and output dimensions to match the recommended specifications for each platform:
Platform | Preset | Ratio | Output size (px) |
Post | 1:1 / 4:5 | 1080×1080 / 1080×1350 | |
Story | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | |
Post | 1:1 / 4:5 / 1.91:1 | 1200×1200 / 1200×1500 / 1200×630 | |
Cover | 2.27:1 | 820×360 | |
Story | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | |
X (Twitter) | Post | 16:9 / 1:1 / 4:5 | 1200×675 / 1200×1200 / 1080×1350 |
X (Twitter) | Cover | 3:1 | 1500×500 |
Post | 1:1 / 1.91:1 / 4:5 | 1200×1200 / 1200×627 / 1080×1350 | |
Profile Banner | 4:1 (personal) / 5.9:1 (company) | 1584×396 / 1128×191 | |
YouTube | Thumbnail | 16:9 | 1280×720 |
YouTube | Channel Cover | 16:9 | 2560×1440 |
NB! Social media presets are available for images only.
Skipping crop
Crop is optional. If you do not select a crop, the full original image is used as the base for any format or resize changes — or duplicated as-is if no settings are changed at all.
Resizing your asset
In Resize mode, you can define the output dimensions of the asset. Resize uses locked aspect ratio proportions by default — editing the Width automatically recalculates the Height, and vice versa, so the image is never stretched or distorted.
NB! Crop and Resize are separate modes. You can apply one or the other, but not both at the same time. If you switch from one mode to another after making changes, a confirmation dialog will appear — selecting Continue will reset your current edits and switch modes, while Cancel will keep you in the current mode with your edits preserved.
Please note that you need to have the corresponding permission 'Upload and duplicate assets' to be able to copy your assets. You can configure permissions for your team's roles in the "My team" section.
Is it possible to create copies of assets in bulk?
In case you'd like to copy a whole collection or a selection of files within a particular collection, you can do so by selecting the necessary files and clicking the Create asset copy button on the bottom action toolbar.
NB! When creating copies in bulk, all selected assets will be processed with the same settings — including any crop or resize configuration. Bulk crop and bulk resize are supported: the settings you configure in the dialog will be applied to all selected assets in the batch.
What's new
Ability to create modified asset copies (renditions) without downloading files
Support for format, size, and quality adjustments during copy
Visual crop UI with live image preview directly inside the Create Copy dialog
Aspect ratio presets for center crop: 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 16:9
Freeform crop — manually drag and resize the crop box to define the exact visible area
Social media presets for Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube
Bulk copy and bulk crop — apply the same settings (including crop) to all selected assets at once
Resize with locked aspect ratio — proportionally scale assets without stretching or distortion
Crop and Resize as separate modes — switch between them with a confirmation step to prevent accidental data loss
Informational helper block and tooltips when the Original preset is selected, guiding users to switch to Custom to unlock transformation settings