If you're noticing that downloaded comps are lower quality than expected (often in the kilobytes, not megabytes), you're not alone. Here's how high-resolution files work on Catch+Release and why they’re handled a little differently from stock.
Why comp quality can vary
When you save a shot to a project—whether it's from the internet or from the Catch+Release Creator Marketplace—that action generates a comp file. The comp file is created from whatever media is available to us at that time:
If it’s from the internet, we scrape the file directly from the source link.
If it’s from our Creator Community, it’s typically what was pulled in from a Creator’s social media post or upload.
These comp files are useful for early-stage planning and layout, but they are not intended for final production. That’s where high-resolution files come in.
When do I get the high-resolution file?
Once you request clearance for a shot, our team contacts the Creator (and any relevant rights holders) to obtain permission to license the content. At the same time, we ask the Copyright Holder to upload the original, highest-quality version they have.
You’ll receive email and platform notifications when a high-resolution file is available. You can download it directly from your project or the shot tracker to review it before deciding to move forward with licensing.
How do I get the files?
To download the high-res files, do either of the following in a project:
From the Tracker tab
Click the 'download high-res' button:
From the Shots tab, locate the shot and click to open the large view. Click the 'Download' button at the top:
3. Batch download from the Usages tab by clicking the 'Download' button and then selecting 'High-res assets':
What if the “high-res” file still seems low quality? Or still has text on the shot?
This happens occasionally. Many of the Creators we work with are not professional filmmakers—they’re everyday people capturing content on their phones or directly in apps. So “high-res” simply means the original file, and the quality depends on how and where it was captured. Some files may be small or compressed if they came from a social platform, have text burned in, or the original might no longer be available.
In some cases, the comp you initially saved is the best file that exists. We’ll let you know if that's the case so you can decide how to proceed.