The Acquia DAM module integrates your Drupal website with Acquia DAM. This provides seamless access to your digital assets in Drupal’s media management system. It enables you to use DAM assets as Drupal media entities without duplicate storage or file imports.

What is Acquia DAM?

Acquia DAM is a cloud-based digital asset management platform. It helps organizations store, organize, and distribute digital content such as images, videos, documents, and other media files. The Acquia DAM module connects your Drupal site to this platform. Content editors browse and use DAM assets in Drupal. Assets remain managed in Acquia DAM. Drupal references them as media entities.

Key benefits

Centralized asset management

Store and manage all digital assets in one location. Content editors access DAM assets from Drupal without a switch between systems.

Automatic synchronization

Keep assets current across systems. After you update an asset in Acquia DAM, the changes open on your Drupal website without manual intervention.

Efficient storage

Optimize Acquia Cloud platform resources to reduce local storage requirements. The Embed (CDN delivery) option serves assets from Acquia DAM. Drupal manages only the necessary metadata and references. Alternatively, the Download and sync (local storage) option enables assets to remain in the Drupal file system.

Flexible rendering

Select how assets reach Drupal. Use Embed (CDN delivery) for performance and scale. Use Download and sync to store copies locally for tighter access control and offline use.

Rich metadata support

Leverage Acquia DAM's metadata capabilities. Map DAM metadata fields to Drupal fields for enhanced content organization and searchability.

Core features

Multiple asset types

The module supports multiple asset types. Each is optimal for specific content formats. 

Supported types:

• Archive: File bundles and packages

• Audio: Podcasts, music, voice recordings

• Documents: Reports, spreadsheets, presentations

• Generic: Fallback for specialized file types

• Image: Photos, graphics, illustrations

• PDF: Brochures, datasheets, white papers

• SpinSet: 360-degree product photography

• Video: Marketing videos, tutorials, product demos

Asset rendering methods

Two rendering methods provide flexibility for different use cases and performance needs.

Embed (CDN delivery):

• Assets are served from Acquia DAM's CDN.
• No local file storage required in Drupal.
• Automatic updates from DAM.
• Best for public content and high-traffic sites.

Download and sync:

• Assets are downloaded and stored in Drupal’s public or private file system.
• Full control through Drupal’s permission system.
• Best for restricted content, compliance needs, or offline use.

Automatic asset syncing

Keep Drupal media entities synchronized with their source assets in Acquia DAM automatically.

Sync mechanisms:

• Automatic: Cron-based checking and updates.
• Manual: On-demand sync using the DAM media UI action or Drush commands.

What syncs:

• Asset metadata and descriptions
• Version updates
• File changes (when download and sync is enabled)
• Availability status
• Expiration dates

Image style support

Apply Drupal image styles to DAM images for responsive design, consistency, and optimization.

Features:

• Select which Drupal image styles are available for DAM assets.
• Automatic validation of supported image style effects.
• Dynamic image transformations.
• Integration with Responsive image styles.
• Support for modern formats such as WebP and AVIF.

Metadata mapping

Map Acquia DAM metadata fields to Drupal media fields to keep important information available in Drupal.

Capabilities:

• Select which DAM metadata fields are exposed in Drupal.
• Configure field mapping per media type.
• Create custom media fields as needed.

• Keep metadata in sync after an asset update in DAM.

• Support for complex field types

Bulk import

Import multiple assets from Acquia DAM categories or asset groups in single operation.

Capabilities:

• Import assets by category or asset group
• Filter by media type
• Process large imports in batches
• Track import progress
• Error handling and reporting

Integration links

Register and track where your DAM assets are utilized across your Drupal ecosystem.

Benefits:

• Identify content dependencies: Understand which Drupal pages rely on specific assets before changes in the DAM.
• Usage reporting: Access usage reports in Acquia DAM.
• Governance: Simplify asset audits and expiration management to know exactly where files reside.

Media type auto-resolution

Determine the appropriate Drupal media type for DAM assets.

Features:

• Automatic media type detection based on asset’s format and properties.
• Support for custom resolution logic to match your site’s media types

Advanced capabilities

Private file support

Serve assets from the private file system of Drupal to use strict access control.

Features:

• Integration with Drupal’s permission and access control.
• Secure file delivery through Drupal.

Asset expiry management

Track and manage asset expiration dates from Acquia DAM.

Capabilities:

• Use UI indicators for expired assets.

• Use automatic tracking of expiry status in Drupal.

• Use mapping of expiry dates to Drupal media fields.

Asset versioning

Work with approved asset versions and keep Drupal in sync with Acquia DAM’s version history.

Features:

• Use automatic version detection.

• Use finalized version sync.

• Select options to update media or do so manually.

Modern image formats

Support for next-generation image formats for better performance.

WebP support:

• This uses smaller file sizes than JPEG in many cases.

• This uses better compression than PNG for photographic content.

• This has wide browser support.

• Use automatic fallback to JPEG or PNG where needed.

AVIF support:

• This provides superior compression and image quality for many scenarios.

• This has modern browser support.

• This can combine with responsive images and image styles.

SVG:

• These are scalable vector graphics for icons and line art.

• This uses resolution-independent render.

• This uses small file sizes.

Drush commands

Use Drush commands to automate and manage DAM operations from the command line.

Available commands:

• Asset syncing and updates
• Integration links registration
• Bulk import operations
• Download and sync management

Drupal module integration

Acquia DAM integrates with various Drupal contributed modules out-of-the-box, providing a seamless editor experience. Key supported integrations include the Media Library, CKEditor, Focal Point, LinkIt, Responsive images, Site Studio, and Drupal Canvas.

Sub-modules

Acquia DAM - Enhanced Integration Links

Registers more detailed integration links in Acquia DAM to provide enhanced tracking of asset locations across Drupal content entities.

When to use:

• Use when you need to accurately track asset usage across multiple entity types.

• Use before you expire or replace widely used assets.

• Use to help with comprehensive usage reports.

• Use to help identify content dependencies for governance and review workflows.

Installation:

drush en acquia_dam_integration_links

Acquia DAM Bulk Asset Import

Enables bulk import of assets from specific Acquia DAM categories or asset groups into Drupal.

When to use:

• Initial site setup when many existing assets already live in Acquia DAM
• Periodic imports from strategic categories or collections

Installation:

drush en acquiadam_asset_import

Acquia DAM Integration with Drupal

drush en acquia_dam_integration_links

drush en acquiadam_asset_import