Version Control for Designers & Creative Teams

TLDR: One of the biggest problems with Git version control systems is that most of them require the use of a command line interface (CLI). The few that have a UI client are not intuitive for non-programmers, such as designers and artists. Git-compatible apps like Anchorpoint solve this problem by offering a user-friendly interface that automates repository setup and file locking.

Version control for the Creative Industry

Version control acts as a "checkpoint" for your project. In creative workflows, it provides a transparent timeline of changes, showing every team member who modified a file and when. It eliminates the need for manual file versioning (e.g., "v1_final_final") and provides an essential safety net. If an asset is accidentally deleted or an experiment fails, you can revert the entire project to a previous state. For teams, version control solves file distribution problems by ensuring that everyone has access to the correct, most up-to-date assets needed to perform their work.

Seamless Git compatibility without the complexity

Anchorpoint is a version control solution that is 100% compatible with Git. While it supports all standard Git requirements, it is specifically designed as a version control for designers and artists who need to work and manage large binary files without any prior technical configuration. Anchorpoint allows developers to collaborate on the same platform and use Git as the single source of truth for the entire project.

No vendor Lock-in

One of Anchorpoint's core principles is the absence of lock-in effects. It does not host your files itself, so you need an existing Git server, such as GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps or a self-hosted solution. Anchorpoint can also work with existing tools like Dropbox, ensuring that you control your data rather than uploading it to a proprietary cloud.

Built for the Artist Workflow

Simple guidance for Non-Technical users

In game development, many primary users are non-technical developers who want to complete their tasks with minimal interaction with the production pipeline. Anchorpoint provides designers and artists with version control, offering simple guidance and clear explanations of concepts. This reduces the support effort required from technical leads while maintaining the productivity of the entire team.

Industry-Leading File Locking

In a collaborative environment, handling binary files often leads to "merge conflicts," which result in overwritten work. Anchorpoint supplements Git's functionality by adding a centralized file locking system. This highly performant system can lock 1,000 files in under a second. Once a developer begins work, their assets are protected from accidental changes by others.

Beyond version control: Integrated Asset Management

Anchorpoint solves the discoverability problems common in complex projects with thousands of assets.

• Tagging and searching: Using a metadata system managed by our cloud, Anchorpoint allows users to tag and search for assets, making them easy to find within the project structure.
• Pipeline automation: It reduces friction and human error by automating repetitive tasks within the asset pipeline.
• Direct communication: It bridges the gap between artists and leads by providing the information needed to review assets, helping them reach the final product faster.

Integrations to game engines

Integrating game engines and 3D digital content creation tools with game asset management systems is essential for maintaining efficient workflows, minimizing file shuffling, and reducing human errors, such as entering incorrect data, misplacing files, or failing to update records. With Anchorpoint, you can commit directly from engines like Unity and Unreal while the main app handles more complex operations in the background.

Conclusion

Anchorpoint is more than just a Git-compatible client, it's a dedicated solution for game development, animation, and visualization. Used by over 200 studios worldwide, it combines Git's technical power with the ease of use creative professionals require. By focusing on non-technical users, such as designers and artists, and by remaining 100% Git-compatible, Anchorpoint allows your team to concentrate on what's most important: the creative process.

FAQ

Why should I care about "version control" as a designer or artist?

Think of version control as a "checkpoint" system for your entire project, not just a single file. Rather than cluttering your folders with names like "Final_v2_REALLY_FINAL.psd," version control keeps your project folder organized and provides a transparent timeline of every change made by the team. Version control provides an essential safety net, allowing you to revert your work to a previous state if an experiment fails or a file is accidentally deleted.

I’m not a "tech person." Will I actually be able to use this?

That is exactly who Anchorpoint is for. It caters to non-technical users who want to minimize their interaction with the production pipeline. Although we use technical terms such as "Git commit," we explain them with simple analogies that anyone can understand. Our goal is to provide artists with version control that offers simple guidance and stays out of the way.

Will I be locked into a specific cloud or service?

Anchorpoint does not host your files; instead, it requires an existing Git server (like GitHub) or can even work with services like Dropbox. This ensures that you always have full control over your data and can switch tools if you ever need to.

Where to learn more

• Git with Unreal Engine: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/git-with-unreal-engine-5
• Git with Unity: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/github-and-unity
• Best version control for game development: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/version-control-for-game-development
• Game asset management guide: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/a-proper-guide-to-game-asset-management‍