diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 3b70881e..1ca52eba 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -968,6 +968,10 @@ dependencies = [
  "libc",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "craft-docpath"
+version = "0.1.0"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "craft-pdf"
 version = "0.1.0"
@@ -1245,6 +1249,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "effectcraft-engine"
 version = "0.10.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "craft-docpath",
  "effectcraft-color",
  "effectcraft-effects",
  "effectcraft-geom",
@@ -1418,6 +1423,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "effectcraft-lottie"
 version = "0.10.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "craft-docpath",
  "effectcraft-color",
  "effectcraft-effects",
  "effectcraft-keyframe",
@@ -1435,6 +1441,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "effectcraft-media"
 version = "0.10.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "craft-docpath",
  "effectcraft-model",
  "effectcraft-pdf",
  "effectcraft-project",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 2eba7988..479421ac 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ repository = "https://github.com/storytold/effectcraft"
 
 [workspace.dependencies]
 craft-pdf = { git = "https://github.com/storytold/craft-libs", rev = "ca50d63b773c99f96e75c77ce5a1d21e7c9cda0d", version = "=0.1.0", default-features = false, features = ["read"] }
+craft-docpath = { path = "../secfix-craft-libs/crates/docpath" }
 # internal
 effectcraft-time = { path = "crates/time" }
 effectcraft-geom = { path = "crates/geom" }
diff --git a/crates/engine/Cargo.toml b/crates/engine/Cargo.toml
index 68e761ab..0e26cca5 100644
--- a/crates/engine/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/engine/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ rust-version.workspace = true
 workspace = true
 
 [dependencies]
+craft-docpath = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-time = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-geom = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-color = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/align_data.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/align_data.rs
index 1f18de5f..097bddc2 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/align_data.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/align_data.rs
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ fn run(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let video = match p.get("videoStart").filter(|v| v.as_str() != Some("")) {
         Some(v) => parse_stamp(v, fps).ok_or_else(|| bad(c, "videoStart: ISO 8601 date-time, hh:mm:ss, timecode or seconds"))?,
         None => {
-            let (created, _, _) = crate::media_browser::file_dates(&footage.path);
+            let (created, _, _) = if footage.missing { (None, None, None) } else { crate::media_browser::file_dates(&footage.path) };
             Stamp { secs: created.ok_or_else(|| bad(c, "the footage has no recording time; pass `videoStart`"))? as f64, dated: true }
         }
     };
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/edit.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/edit.rs
index 42a2baea..422728ea 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/edit.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/edit.rs
@@ -828,7 +828,9 @@ pub(crate) fn openable_original(path: &str) -> std::result::Result<(), String> {
 }
 
 fn edit_original(s: &mut Session, _: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
-    let path = original_path(s).ok_or_else(|| super::bad("edit.editOriginal", "select a footage item or layer"))?;
+    let stored = original_path(s).ok_or_else(|| super::bad("edit.editOriginal", "select a footage item or layer"))?;
+    let path = s.stored_path(&stored).map_err(|why| super::bad("edit.editOriginal", crate::doc_path::refusal(&stored, why)))?;
+    let path = path.to_string_lossy();
     openable_original(&path).map_err(|e| super::bad("edit.editOriginal", e))?;
     let url = super::layer_menu::file_url(&path);
     s.events.push(crate::Event::OpenUrl(url.clone()));
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/file.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/file.rs
index 501d1548..760c1f22 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/file.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/file.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ fn new_project(s: &mut Session, _: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     if s.prefs.project.use_template && !tpl.is_empty() {
         let bytes = s.services.read_file(&tpl).map_err(|e| EngineError::Other(format!("cannot read the new project template {tpl}: {e}")))?;
         let text = String::from_utf8(bytes).map_err(|_| EngineError::Other("the new project template is not a project file".into()))?;
-        s.replace_project(Project::from_json(&text)?, None);
+        let mut proj = Project::from_json(&text)?;
+        crate::doc_path::resolve_footage(&mut proj, Some(&tpl));
+        s.replace_project(proj, None);
+        s.stored_paths.add(&s.project, Some(&tpl));
         s.update_sentinel();
         return Ok(json!({"template": tpl}));
     }
@@ -45,8 +48,12 @@ pub(crate) fn open(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let text = if crate::xml_project::is_xml(&text) { crate::xml_project::from_xml(&text).map_err(EngineError::Other)? } else { text };
     let (mut proj, repaired) =
         Project::from_json_repaired(&text).map_err(|e| EngineError::Other(format!("{path} is not a project EffectCraft can open: {e}")))?;
-    resolve_relative_footage(&mut proj, path, s.services.as_ref());
+    // Footage saved with a relative path (imported by the CLI or an agent as `clip.mp4`, or
+    // written by hand) is found next to the project file, as After Effects looks for footage
+    // relative to the project (#652).
+    let refused = crate::doc_path::resolve_footage(&mut proj, Some(path));
     s.replace_project(proj, Some(path.to_string()));
+    s.stored_paths.add(&s.project, Some(path));
     s.restore_view(&effectcraft_project::saved_view(&text));
     s.note_project_path(path);
     // Values past the limits (a corrupt or hostile file) were brought within them (#788).
@@ -56,6 +63,10 @@ pub(crate) fn open(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
         let more = if more > 0 { format!(" and {more} more") } else { String::new() };
         s.toast(format!("This project had values outside EffectCraft's limits, corrected when it opened: {shown}{more}."));
     }
+    if let Some((_, first, why)) = refused.first() {
+        let n = refused.len();
+        s.toast(format!("{n} footage item{} marked missing: {}.", if n == 1 { "" } else { "s" }, crate::doc_path::refusal(first, *why)));
+    }
     // Written by a newer EffectCraft: what this version doesn't know would be lost on saving.
     let saved_by = effectcraft_project::saved_by(&text);
     if let Some(v) = saved_by.as_deref().filter(|v| effectcraft_project::is_newer_version(v, effectcraft_project::APP_VERSION)) {
@@ -72,28 +83,6 @@ pub(crate) fn open(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     Ok(json!({"path": path, "savedBy": saved_by, "repaired": repaired}))
 }
 
-/// Footage saved with a relative path (imported by the CLI or an agent as `clip.mp4`, or written
-/// by hand) is found next to the project file, as After Effects looks for footage relative to
-/// the project. It used to be looked up from the working directory: the CLI started in the
-/// project's folder found it, the desktop app (started from the Finder, Explorer or a launcher,
-/// in another folder) showed and rendered nothing (#652). A path that exists from the working
-/// directory is kept.
-fn resolve_relative_footage(p: &mut Project, project_path: &str, services: &dyn crate::Services) {
-    use std::path::Path;
-    let Some(dir) = Path::new(project_path).parent().filter(|d| !d.as_os_str().is_empty()) else { return };
-    let beside = |f: &str| dir.join(f).to_string_lossy().to_string();
-    for item in p.items.values_mut() {
-        let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &mut item.kind else { continue };
-        if f.path.is_empty() || !Path::new(&f.path).is_relative() || services.exists(&f.path) || !services.exists(&beside(&f.path)) {
-            continue;
-        }
-        f.path = beside(&f.path);
-        for frame in f.sequence.iter_mut().filter(|q| Path::new(q.as_str()).is_relative()) {
-            *frame = beside(frame);
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// The project file's text for `path`: `.ecproj` JSON, or XML for `.ecprojx` / `.xml` (a
 /// project opened from an XML copy saves as XML again). Fails, writing nothing, when the project
 /// wouldn't read back.
@@ -459,6 +448,7 @@ fn add_footage(s: &mut Session, pending: PendingImport, probed: Vec<std::result:
         // media layer keys frames by path): a fresh import reads it again (#1070).
         for f in &found {
             s.forget_decoded(&f.footage);
+            s.stored_paths.allow(&f.footage);
         }
         s.edit("Import", None, |proj, st| {
             let mut selection = made;
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/file_more.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/file_more.rs
index 346f8392..74a86e1d 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/file_more.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/file_more.rs
@@ -855,12 +855,15 @@ fn replace_footage(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     // Replacing a missing file relinks the other missing files that moved with it (as After Effects
     // does when you locate one).
     let moved = match s.project.item(item).map(|it| &it.kind) {
-        Some(ItemKind::Footage(previous)) if previous.missing || !s.services.exists(&previous.path) => {
+        Some(ItemKind::Footage(previous)) if previous.missing || !s.stored_paths.exists(s.services.as_ref(), &previous.path) => {
             super::relink_moved::moved_with(s, item, &previous.path, &path)
         }
         _ => vec![],
     };
     let relinked: Vec<u64> = moved.iter().map(|(id, _)| id.0).collect();
+    for nf in std::iter::once(&f).chain(moved.iter().map(|(_, nf)| nf)) {
+        s.stored_paths.allow(nf);
+    }
     s.edit("Replace Footage", None, |proj, _| {
         let it = proj.item_mut(item).ok_or_else(|| bad("file.replaceFootage", "no such item"))?;
         it.name = name;
@@ -946,7 +949,7 @@ fn reveal_in_finder(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
         Some(ItemKind::Footage(f)) if !f.path.is_empty() => f.path.clone(),
         _ => return Err(bad("file.revealInFinder", "the item is not a file")),
     };
-    let url = super::layer_menu::folder_url(&path);
+    let url = super::layer_menu::reveal_url(s, &path).map_err(|e| bad("file.revealInFinder", e))?;
     s.events.push(crate::Event::OpenUrl(url.clone()));
     Ok(json!({"url": url}))
 }
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/import_project.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/import_project.rs
index f0474ee8..af37771a 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/import_project.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/import_project.rs
@@ -27,40 +27,24 @@ fn read_project(s: &Session, path: &str) -> Result<(Project, Option<String>)> {
     Ok((project, effectcraft_project::saved_by(&text)))
 }
 
-/// Footage paths relative to the imported project's folder become absolute when the file is
-/// there; returns the footage paths that are missing.
-fn resolve_footage(s: &Session, project: &mut Project, dir: &std::path::Path) -> Vec<String> {
+/// Footage paths stored in the imported project are resolved against its file
+/// ([`crate::doc_path::resolve_footage`]): relative ones become paths beside it, and items whose
+/// path is not followed are marked missing. Returns the footage paths that are missing, as stored.
+fn resolve_footage(s: &Session, project: &mut Project, path: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+    let stored: std::collections::HashMap<ItemId, String> =
+        project.items.values().filter_map(|i| if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &i.kind { Some((i.id, f.path.clone())) } else { None }).collect();
+    let refused = crate::doc_path::resolve_footage(project, Some(path));
     let services = s.services.clone();
-    let resolve = |raw: &mut String| -> bool {
-        if raw.is_empty() || services.exists(raw) {
-            return true;
-        }
-        if std::path::Path::new(raw.as_str()).is_absolute() {
-            return false;
-        }
-        let joined = dir.join(raw.as_str()).to_string_lossy().to_string();
-        if services.exists(&joined) {
-            *raw = joined;
-            true
-        } else {
-            false
-        }
-    };
-    let mut missing = vec![];
-    for it in project.items.values_mut() {
-        if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &mut it.kind {
-            if f.sequence.is_empty() {
-                if !resolve(&mut f.path) {
-                    missing.push(f.path.clone());
-                }
-            } else {
-                let mut all = true;
-                for frame in &mut f.sequence {
-                    all &= resolve(frame);
-                }
-                if !all {
-                    missing.push(f.path.clone());
-                }
+    let exists = |p: &String| p.is_empty() || services.exists(p);
+    let mut missing: Vec<String> = refused.iter().map(|(_, p, _)| p.clone()).collect();
+    for it in project.items.values() {
+        if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &it.kind {
+            if refused.iter().any(|(id, _, _)| *id == it.id) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let present = if f.sequence.is_empty() { exists(&f.path) } else { f.sequence.iter().all(exists) };
+            if !present {
+                missing.push(stored.get(&it.id).cloned().unwrap_or_else(|| f.path.clone()));
             }
         }
     }
@@ -79,8 +63,8 @@ fn import_project(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let (mut sub, saved_by) = read_project(s, &path)?;
     crate::upgrade_effects(&mut sub);
     let file = std::path::Path::new(&path);
-    let dir = file.parent().map(|d| d.to_path_buf()).unwrap_or_default();
-    let missing = resolve_footage(s, &mut sub, &dir);
+    let missing = resolve_footage(s, &mut sub, &path);
+    s.stored_paths.add(&sub, Some(&path));
     // The imported project's own render queue stays behind (as for templates).
     let base = s.project.next_id;
     if sub.next_id.checked_add(base).is_none() {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/layer_menu.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/layer_menu.rs
index 83a1510a..9cac8041 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/layer_menu.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/layer_menu.rs
@@ -677,6 +677,54 @@ pub(crate) fn folder_url(path: &str) -> String {
     file_url(&dir)
 }
 
+/// Extensions of folders that macOS opens as an app, plug-in or other bundle rather than showing
+/// their contents.
+const BUNDLE_EXTENSIONS: &[&str] = &[
+    "app",
+    "appex",
+    "bundle",
+    "component",
+    "dext",
+    "driver",
+    "framework",
+    "kext",
+    "mdimporter",
+    "mpkg",
+    "osax",
+    "pkg",
+    "plugin",
+    "prefpane",
+    "qlgenerator",
+    "saver",
+    "service",
+    "systemextension",
+    "vst",
+    "vst3",
+    "wdgt",
+    "workflow",
+    "xpc",
+];
+
+/// Whether the system file manager would open folder `dir` as something other than a folder: a
+/// bundle (`Tool.app`), or a Windows folder with a `{CLSID}` extension.
+fn opens_as_bundle(dir: &std::path::Path) -> bool {
+    let ext = dir.extension().and_then(|e| e.to_str()).unwrap_or_default().to_ascii_lowercase();
+    ext.starts_with('{') || BUNDLE_EXTENSIONS.contains(&ext.as_str())
+}
+
+/// The folder of the footage file `stored` (a path stored in the project) as a `file://` URL for
+/// Reveal in Finder. A path that is not followed ([`crate::doc_path`]), or a folder that is not a
+/// plain folder after following links, is refused.
+pub(crate) fn reveal_url(s: &Session, stored: &str) -> std::result::Result<String, String> {
+    let path = s.stored_path(stored).map_err(|why| crate::doc_path::refusal(stored, why))?;
+    let dir = path.parent().filter(|d| !d.as_os_str().is_empty()).ok_or_else(|| format!("{stored} is not in a folder"))?;
+    let real = std::fs::canonicalize(dir).map_err(|e| format!("cannot show the folder of {stored}: {e}"))?;
+    if !real.is_dir() || opens_as_bundle(dir) || opens_as_bundle(&real) {
+        return Err(format!("the folder of {stored} is not a plain folder"));
+    }
+    Ok(file_url(&dir.to_string_lossy()))
+}
+
 /// `path` as a `file://` URL: backslashes become `/`, a Windows drive path gets the third slash
 /// (`file:///C:/…`), and every byte that isn't a plain path character is percent-encoded (spaces,
 /// `#`, `%`, `?`, non-ASCII as UTF-8), so the URL names exactly this file.
@@ -700,7 +748,7 @@ fn reveal_in_finder(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
         Some(effectcraft_project::ItemKind::Footage(f)) if !f.path.is_empty() => f.path.clone(),
         _ => return Err(bad("layer.revealInFinder", "the layer's source is not a file")),
     };
-    let url = folder_url(&path);
+    let url = reveal_url(s, &path).map_err(|e| bad("layer.revealInFinder", e))?;
     s.events.push(crate::Event::OpenUrl(url.clone()));
     Ok(json!({"url": url}))
 }
@@ -892,4 +940,27 @@ mod tests {
     fn folder_url_names_the_containing_folder() {
         assert_eq!(folder_url("/media/My Clips/a.mov"), "file:///media/My%20Clips");
     }
+
+    /// Reveal in Finder shows plain folders only: a bundle the system would open as an app, or a
+    /// link to one, is refused.
+    #[test]
+    fn reveal_refuses_folders_that_open_as_apps() {
+        let d = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-reveal-{}", std::process::id()));
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+        for f in ["Clips", "Tool.app", "Shell.{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"] {
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(d.join(f)).unwrap();
+        }
+        let s = crate::Session::default();
+        let reveal = |folder: &str| super::reveal_url(&s, &d.join(folder).join("a.mov").to_string_lossy());
+        assert_eq!(reveal("Clips"), Ok(super::file_url(&d.join("Clips").to_string_lossy())));
+        assert!(reveal("Tool.app").is_err());
+        assert!(reveal("Shell.{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}").is_err());
+        assert!(reveal("Gone").is_err());
+        #[cfg(unix)]
+        {
+            std::os::unix::fs::symlink(d.join("Tool.app"), d.join("Footage")).unwrap();
+            assert!(reveal("Footage").is_err(), "a link to a bundle");
+        }
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&d);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/relink.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/relink.rs
index 1c095dda..2d7c2ea1 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/relink.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/relink.rs
@@ -81,12 +81,13 @@ fn run(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     }
     let importer = s.importer.clone().ok_or_else(|| bad(COMMAND, "media import is not available in this build"))?;
     let services = s.services.clone();
+    let stored = s.stored_paths.clone();
     let missing: Vec<(ItemId, Footage)> = s
         .project
         .items
         .values()
         .filter_map(|item| match &item.kind {
-            ItemKind::Footage(f) if !f.path.is_empty() && !services.exists(&f.path) => Some((item.id, f.clone())),
+            ItemKind::Footage(f) if !f.path.is_empty() && !stored.exists(services.as_ref(), &f.path) => Some((item.id, f.clone())),
             _ => None,
         })
         .collect();
@@ -149,7 +150,8 @@ fn run(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
             // A background search must not overwrite edits made while it was running.
             for (id, old, new) in &updates {
                 if s.project.item(*id).is_none_or(|i| !matches!(&i.kind, ItemKind::Footage(f) if f == old))
-                    || services.exists(&old.path) || !services.exists(&new.path)
+                    || stored.exists(services.as_ref(), &old.path)
+                    || !services.exists(&new.path)
                     || (new.kind == FootageKind::Sequence && new.sequence.iter().any(|p| !services.exists(p)))
                 {
                     return Err(bad(COMMAND, "footage changed during search; run the search again"));
@@ -157,6 +159,9 @@ fn run(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
             }
             let matched = updates.len();
             if !dry_run && !updates.is_empty() {
+                for (_, _, new) in &updates {
+                    s.stored_paths.allow(new);
+                }
                 s.edit("Relink Missing Footage", None, |project, _| {
                     for (id, _, new) in updates {
                         if let Some(item) = project.item_mut(id) {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/commands/relink_moved.rs b/crates/engine/src/commands/relink_moved.rs
index ef64a423..ecc531bc 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/commands/relink_moved.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/commands/relink_moved.rs
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ fn moved_footage(footage: &Footage, f: impl Fn(&str) -> Option<String>) -> Optio
     Some(nf)
 }
 
-fn present(s: &dyn Services, f: &Footage) -> bool {
-    !f.path.is_empty() && s.exists(&f.path)
+fn present(s: &dyn Services, stored: &crate::doc_path::StoredPaths, f: &Footage) -> bool {
+    stored.exists(s, &f.path)
 }
 
 /// Footage items whose file is gone (flagged by the footage check, or not there now).
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ fn missing_items(s: &Session) -> Vec<(ItemId, Footage)> {
         .items
         .values()
         .filter_map(|i| match &i.kind {
-            ItemKind::Footage(f) if f.kind != FootageKind::Data && !f.path.is_empty() && (f.missing || !present(s.services.as_ref(), f)) => {
+            ItemKind::Footage(f) if f.kind != FootageKind::Data && !f.path.is_empty() && (f.missing || !present(s.services.as_ref(), &s.stored_paths, f)) => {
                 Some((i.id, f.clone()))
             }
             _ => None,
@@ -146,6 +146,9 @@ fn apply(s: &mut Session, label: &str, found: Vec<(ItemId, Footage)>) -> Result<
         return Ok(json!({"relinked": [], "stillMissing": missing_items(s).len()}));
     }
     let ids: Vec<u64> = found.iter().map(|(id, _)| id.0).collect();
+    for (_, nf) in &found {
+        s.stored_paths.allow(nf);
+    }
     s.edit(label, None, |proj: &mut Project, _| {
         for (id, nf) in found {
             if let Some(it) = proj.item_mut(id) {
@@ -175,7 +178,7 @@ pub(crate) fn moved_with(s: &Session, item: ItemId, old_path: &str, new_path: &s
         if id == item {
             continue;
         }
-        let same_place = moved_footage(&f, |q| remap(q, &old_root, &new_root)).filter(|nf| present(services.as_ref(), nf));
+        let same_place = moved_footage(&f, |q| remap(q, &old_root, &new_root)).filter(|nf| present(services.as_ref(), &s.stored_paths, nf));
         let same_folder = || {
             let dir = new_dir.as_deref()?;
             let dir_parts = parts(dir);
@@ -183,7 +186,7 @@ pub(crate) fn moved_with(s: &Session, item: ItemId, old_path: &str, new_path: &s
             let old_dir: Vec<&str> = parts(&f.path).get(..old_dir_len)?.to_vec();
             moved_footage(&f, |q| remap(q, &old_dir, dir).or_else(|| Some(join(dir, &[file_name(q)])))).filter(|nf| {
                 // Only frames in that one folder (a name match, not a guess deeper down).
-                present(services.as_ref(), nf) && parts(&nf.path).len() == dir_parts.len() + 1
+                present(services.as_ref(), &s.stored_paths, nf) && parts(&nf.path).len() == dir_parts.len() + 1
             })
         };
         if let Some(nf) = same_place.or_else(same_folder) {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/doc_path.rs b/crates/engine/src/doc_path.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c7416a8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/engine/src/doc_path.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+//! Footage paths stored in a document (the project file, an imported project, the New Project
+//! template) reach the file system only through [`resolve`]: a relative path is taken from the
+//! document's folder, and only local files, or files on the network share the document itself is
+//! on, are followed (see `craft_docpath`).
+//!
+//! Loading a document resolves its footage paths once ([`resolve_footage`]): followed paths are
+//! replaced by the resolved path, and an item with a refused path is marked missing, so the media
+//! layer never reads it. The session then remembers which paths came from which document
+//! ([`StoredPaths`]); the footage check, the changed-on-disk scan, Reload Footage, Relink, Edit
+//! Original and Reveal in Finder follow a path only through it. Paths the user imports or relinks
+//! in this session are followed as given.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::fmt;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+pub use craft_docpath::Refused;
+use effectcraft_project::{Footage, ItemId, ItemKind, Project};
+
+/// Why a stored path is not followed.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum NotFollowed {
+    /// The path is not a local file, or is not on the project's own share.
+    Refused(Refused),
+    /// The path is relative and the project has no folder to take it from.
+    NoProjectFolder,
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for NotFollowed {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            Self::Refused(r) => r.fmt(f),
+            Self::NoProjectFolder => f.write_str("the path is relative and the project has not been saved"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl std::error::Error for NotFollowed {}
+
+/// The file to open for `stored`, a footage path or `file:` URL stored in the project saved at
+/// `project` (`None` for a project without a file), or why it is not followed. A relative
+/// `project` is taken from the working directory, where it was opened from.
+pub fn resolve(stored: &str, project: Option<&str>) -> Result<PathBuf, NotFollowed> {
+    let project = project.filter(|p| !p.is_empty()).map(|p| {
+        let p = Path::new(p);
+        std::path::absolute(p).unwrap_or_else(|_| p.to_path_buf())
+    });
+    let path = craft_docpath::resolve(stored, project.as_deref()).map_err(NotFollowed::Refused)?;
+    // A path that is still relative would be taken from the working directory, which the
+    // project does not choose.
+    if path.is_relative() {
+        return Err(NotFollowed::NoProjectFolder);
+    }
+    Ok(path)
+}
+
+/// The paths of `f` (its file and every frame of an image sequence) resolved against the document
+/// saved at `document`, or why one of them is not followed.
+fn footage_paths(f: &Footage, document: Option<&str>) -> Result<(String, Vec<String>), (String, NotFollowed)> {
+    let one = |q: &String| -> Result<String, (String, NotFollowed)> {
+        if q.is_empty() {
+            return Ok(String::new());
+        }
+        resolve(q, document).map(|p| p.to_string_lossy().into_owned()).map_err(|why| (q.clone(), why))
+    };
+    Ok((one(&f.path)?, f.sequence.iter().map(one).collect::<Result<_, _>>()?))
+}
+
+fn paths_of(f: &Footage) -> impl Iterator<Item = &String> {
+    std::iter::once(&f.path).chain(&f.sequence).filter(|q| !q.is_empty())
+}
+
+/// Footage paths that came from a document, with the path of that document (`None`: one without
+/// a file). Any other path was chosen in this session and is followed as given.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default)]
+pub struct StoredPaths(Arc<HashMap<String, Option<String>>>);
+
+impl StoredPaths {
+    /// Record the footage paths of `p`, loaded from the document at `document`. A path already
+    /// recorded keeps the document it came from first.
+    pub(crate) fn add(&mut self, p: &Project, document: Option<&str>) {
+        let map = Arc::make_mut(&mut self.0);
+        for item in p.items.values() {
+            if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &item.kind {
+                for q in paths_of(f) {
+                    map.entry(q.clone()).or_insert_with(|| document.map(str::to_string));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The user chose the files of `f` in this session (import, relink, Replace Footage): follow
+    /// them as given from now on.
+    pub(crate) fn allow(&mut self, f: &Footage) {
+        if paths_of(f).any(|q| self.0.contains_key(q)) {
+            let map = Arc::make_mut(&mut self.0);
+            for q in paths_of(f) {
+                map.remove(q);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The file to open for footage path `path`.
+    pub fn follow(&self, path: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, NotFollowed> {
+        match self.0.get(path) {
+            Some(document) => resolve(path, document.as_deref()),
+            None => Ok(PathBuf::from(path)),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Whether the file at footage path `path` exists. A path that is not followed is not looked
+    /// for.
+    pub(crate) fn exists(&self, services: &dyn crate::Services, path: &str) -> bool {
+        !path.is_empty() && self.follow(path).is_ok_and(|p| p.to_str().is_some_and(|p| services.exists(p)))
+    }
+
+    /// Whether every file of `f` is followed, or the first that is not and why.
+    pub(crate) fn check(&self, f: &Footage) -> Result<(), (String, NotFollowed)> {
+        paths_of(f).try_for_each(|q| self.follow(q).map(|_| ()).map_err(|why| (q.clone(), why)))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Resolve the footage paths stored in `p`, the project saved at `project`: followed paths are
+/// replaced by the file they resolve to, and an item with a path that is not followed is marked
+/// missing. Returns those items with the refused path and why.
+pub(crate) fn resolve_footage(p: &mut Project, project: Option<&str>) -> Vec<(ItemId, String, NotFollowed)> {
+    let mut refused = vec![];
+    for item in p.items.values_mut() {
+        let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &mut item.kind else { continue };
+        match footage_paths(f, project) {
+            Ok((path, sequence)) => {
+                f.path = path;
+                f.sequence = sequence;
+            }
+            Err((path, why)) => {
+                f.missing = true;
+                refused.push((item.id, path, why));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    refused
+}
+
+/// The message for footage whose stored path is not followed.
+pub(crate) fn refusal(stored: &str, why: NotFollowed) -> String {
+    format!("the footage file {stored} is not opened: {why}")
+}
+
+impl crate::Session {
+    /// The file to open for footage path `stored` in this session's project.
+    pub fn stored_path(&self, stored: &str) -> Result<PathBuf, NotFollowed> {
+        self.stored_paths.follow(stored)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests;
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/doc_path/tests.rs b/crates/engine/src/doc_path/tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8dcbc19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/engine/src/doc_path/tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+
+use effectcraft_project::{Footage, ItemId, ItemKind};
+use serde_json::json;
+
+use crate::{Event, Services, Session};
+
+/// File access that records every path it is asked about.
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct Recording(Mutex<Vec<String>>);
+
+impl Recording {
+    fn note(&self, path: &str) {
+        self.0.lock().unwrap().push(path.to_string());
+    }
+}
+
+impl Services for Recording {
+    fn read_file(&self, path: &str) -> std::io::Result<Vec<u8>> {
+        self.note(path);
+        std::fs::read(path)
+    }
+    fn write_file(&self, path: &str, data: &[u8]) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+        std::fs::write(path, data)
+    }
+    fn exists(&self, path: &str) -> bool {
+        self.note(path);
+        std::path::Path::new(path).exists()
+    }
+    fn stamp(&self, path: &str) -> Option<(u64, u128)> {
+        self.note(path);
+        let meta = std::fs::metadata(path).ok()?;
+        Some((meta.len(), meta.modified().ok()?.duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH).ok()?.as_nanos()))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Probes every file as a still.
+struct Stills;
+
+impl crate::Importer for Stills {
+    fn probe(&self, path: &str) -> Result<Footage, String> {
+        if !std::path::Path::new(path).is_file() {
+            return Err(format!("{path}: no such file"));
+        }
+        Ok(Footage { path: path.into(), kind: effectcraft_project::FootageKind::Still, width: 64, height: 32, has_video: true, ..Default::default() })
+    }
+}
+
+fn footage_id(s: &Session, name: &str) -> ItemId {
+    s.project.items.values().find(|i| i.name == name).unwrap().id
+}
+
+fn footage<'a>(s: &'a Session, name: &str) -> &'a Footage {
+    match &s.project.item(footage_id(s, name)).unwrap().kind {
+        ItemKind::Footage(f) => f,
+        _ => panic!("{name} is not footage"),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Footage paths to other computers stored in a project are never looked at: not on open, by
+/// the footage check, by the changed-on-disk scan, by Edit Original or by Reveal in Finder. A
+/// relative path is taken from the project's folder, and a file the user imports in this session
+/// is used as given until the project is saved and opened again.
+#[test]
+fn footage_on_other_computers_is_never_looked_at() {
+    let root = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-doc-path-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    let dir = root.join("job");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(root.join("media")).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("clip.png"), b"x").unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(root.join("media").join("far.png"), b"x").unwrap();
+    let mut stored = vec![("unc", r"\\192.0.2.1\share\x.png".to_string()), ("url", "file://192.0.2.1/s/x.png".to_string()), ("beside", "clip.png".to_string())];
+    // Linux reads `//tmp/…/far.png` as the local file: a sink that skipped the check would find it.
+    if cfg!(unix) {
+        stored.push(("slashes", format!("/{}", root.join("media").join("far.png").display())));
+    }
+    let mut s = Session::default();
+    for (name, path) in &stored {
+        let f = Footage { path: path.clone(), width: 64, height: 48, has_video: true, ..Default::default() };
+        Arc::make_mut(&mut s.project).add_item(name, crate::color::Label::None, None, ItemKind::Footage(f));
+    }
+    let project = dir.join("p.ecproj");
+    s.execute("file.saveAs", json!({"path": project.to_string_lossy()})).unwrap();
+
+    let rec = Arc::new(Recording::default());
+    let mut o = Session { services: rec.clone(), ..Default::default() };
+    o.execute("file.open", json!({"path": project.to_string_lossy()})).unwrap();
+    for (name, _) in &stored {
+        assert_eq!(footage(&o, name).missing, *name != "beside", "{name}");
+    }
+    assert_eq!(std::path::Path::new(&footage(&o, "beside").path), dir.join("clip.png"));
+    let r = o.execute("footage.check", json!({"wait": true})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(r["missing"].as_u64(), Some(stored.len() as u64 - 1), "{r}");
+    o.execute("footage.reloadChanged", json!({})).unwrap();
+    o.drain_events();
+    for (name, _) in &stored {
+        o.state.project_selection = vec![footage_id(&o, name)];
+        let opened = o.execute("edit.editOriginal", json!({}));
+        let revealed = o.execute("file.revealInFinder", json!({}));
+        assert_eq!((opened.is_ok(), revealed.is_ok()), (*name == "beside", *name == "beside"), "{name}: {opened:?} {revealed:?}");
+    }
+    let urls: Vec<String> = o.drain_events().into_iter().filter_map(|e| if let Event::OpenUrl(u) = e { Some(u) } else { None }).collect();
+    assert_eq!(urls.len(), 2, "{urls:?}");
+
+    let seen = rec.0.lock().unwrap().clone();
+    assert!(seen.iter().any(|p| std::path::Path::new(p) == dir.join("clip.png")), "{seen:?}");
+    // Only files in the temporary folder (the project's folder, where moved footage is looked for).
+    let local = root.to_string_lossy().into_owned();
+    for p in &seen {
+        assert!(p.starts_with(&local), "looked at {p}");
+    }
+
+    // Chosen in this session, the same file is followed as given (as a file on a NAS would be)…
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        let far = stored.iter().find(|(n, _)| *n == "slashes").unwrap().1.clone();
+        o.importer = Some(Arc::new(Stills));
+        o.execute("file.import", json!({"paths": [far.clone()]})).unwrap();
+        let imported = |s: &Session| -> Vec<ItemId> {
+            s.project.items.values().filter(|i| matches!(&i.kind, ItemKind::Footage(f) if f.path == far)).map(|i| i.id).collect()
+        };
+        let id = *imported(&o).iter().find(|id| matches!(&o.project.item(**id).unwrap().kind, ItemKind::Footage(f) if !f.missing)).unwrap();
+        o.state.project_selection = vec![id];
+        o.execute("edit.editOriginal", json!({})).unwrap();
+        o.execute("file.revealInFinder", json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert!(o.execute("footage.check", json!({"wait": true, "items": [id.0]})).unwrap()["missing"] == 0);
+        // …and is a stored path again once the project is saved and opened.
+        o.execute("file.save", json!({})).unwrap();
+        let mut q = Session::default();
+        q.execute("file.open", json!({"path": project.to_string_lossy()})).unwrap();
+        let ids = imported(&q);
+        assert_eq!(ids.len(), 2);
+        for id in ids {
+            assert!(matches!(&q.project.item(id).unwrap().kind, ItemKind::Footage(f) if f.missing));
+            q.state.project_selection = vec![id];
+            assert!(q.execute("edit.editOriginal", json!({})).is_err());
+            assert!(q.execute("file.revealInFinder", json!({})).is_err());
+        }
+    }
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn stored_paths_resolve_against_the_project() {
+    let doc = std::env::temp_dir().join("art").join("intro.ecproj");
+    let doc = doc.to_str().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(super::resolve("clip.mov", Some(doc)), Ok(std::env::temp_dir().join("art").join("clip.mov")));
+    assert_eq!(super::resolve("clip.mov", None), Err(super::NotFollowed::NoProjectFolder));
+    assert_eq!(super::resolve(r"\\192.0.2.1\share\x.mov", Some(doc)), Err(super::NotFollowed::Refused(super::Refused::Network)));
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    assert!(super::resolve(r"\\server\share\x.mov", Some(r"\\SERVER\share\job\intro.ecproj")).is_ok());
+}
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/footage_check.rs b/crates/engine/src/footage_check.rs
index adfb1768..6bb803f0 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/footage_check.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/footage_check.rs
@@ -31,10 +31,6 @@ enum Found {
     Moved(Box<Footage>),
 }
 
-fn exists(s: &dyn crate::Services, path: &str) -> bool {
-    !path.is_empty() && s.exists(path)
-}
-
 /// Start the check (all footage, or `items`). `wait` runs it to completion first (always on
 /// wasm32); the result is then `{checked, missing, probed}`.
 pub fn start(s: &mut Session, items: Option<Vec<ItemId>>, wait: bool) -> crate::Result<Value> {
@@ -54,6 +50,7 @@ pub fn start(s: &mut Session, items: Option<Vec<ItemId>>, wait: bool) -> crate::
     let services = s.services.clone();
     let importer = s.importer.clone();
     let rate = s.sequence_rate();
+    let stored = s.stored_paths.clone();
     let project_dir = s.path.as_deref().and_then(crate::commands::relink_moved::project_dir);
     let n = jobs.len();
     s.spawn_task("footageCheck", format!("Checking footage ({n} items)"), wait, move |ctl| {
@@ -64,13 +61,17 @@ pub fn start(s: &mut Session, items: Option<Vec<ItemId>>, wait: bool) -> crate::
                 return Err(crate::render_queue::CANCELLED.into());
             }
             let f = &j.footage;
-            let present = if f.sequence.is_empty() {
-                exists(services.as_ref(), &f.path)
-            } else {
-                // A sequence is there while any of its frames is (missing frames render as
-                // placeholders, as in After Effects).
-                exists(services.as_ref(), &f.path) || f.sequence.iter().any(|p| exists(services.as_ref(), p))
-            };
+            // A path that is not followed is never looked for (the item stays missing).
+            let followed = stored.check(f).is_ok();
+            let exists = |p: &str| stored.exists(services.as_ref(), p);
+            let present = followed
+                && if f.sequence.is_empty() {
+                    exists(&f.path)
+                } else {
+                    // A sequence is there while any of its frames is (missing frames render as
+                    // placeholders, as in After Effects).
+                    exists(&f.path) || f.sequence.iter().any(|p| exists(p))
+                };
             // Moved with the project: the same place under the project's folder.
             if !present
                 && let Some(dir) = &project_dir
@@ -233,9 +234,10 @@ mod tests {
         let mut paths: Vec<String> =
             o.project.items.values().filter_map(|i| if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &i.kind { Some(f.path.clone()) } else { None }).collect();
         paths.sort();
-        // Windows joins the stored "media/..." onto the project's folder and leaves a path with mixed
-        // separators; `Path` equality compares components, so both spellings are the same file.
-        let mut expected = ["/nonexistent/ec/abs.png", clip.to_str().unwrap(), "media/ec-relative-gone.png"];
+        // `Path` equality compares components, so `/` and `\` spell the same file on Windows.
+        let abs = crate::doc_path::resolve("/nonexistent/ec/abs.png", path.to_str()).unwrap();
+        let gone = dir.join("media").join("ec-relative-gone.png");
+        let mut expected = [abs.to_str().unwrap(), clip.to_str().unwrap(), gone.to_str().unwrap()];
         expected.sort();
         assert_eq!(paths.len(), expected.len(), "{paths:?}");
         for (got, want) in paths.iter().zip(expected) {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/footage_reload.rs b/crates/engine/src/footage_reload.rs
index ca51069a..fa12b27a 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/footage_reload.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/footage_reload.rs
@@ -32,12 +32,13 @@ pub type Scan = Arc<Mutex<Option<Vec<(String, Option<Stamp>)>>>>;
 /// The files footage items read: each item's file and every frame of an image sequence. Image
 /// sequences count only with Automatically Reload Footage set to All Footage (After Effects'
 /// default, Non-Sequence Footage, leaves them alone: thousands of frames on a share add up).
+/// Items with a stored path that is not followed ([`crate::doc_path`]) are not watched.
 fn watched(s: &Session) -> BTreeSet<String> {
     let sequences = s.prefs.import.auto_reload_footage == "all";
     let mut paths = BTreeSet::new();
     for it in s.project.items.values() {
         if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &it.kind {
-            if !f.sequence.is_empty() && !sequences {
+            if (!f.sequence.is_empty() && !sequences) || s.stored_paths.check(f).is_err() {
                 continue;
             }
             if !f.path.is_empty() {
@@ -136,8 +137,10 @@ fn reload(s: &mut Session, ids: &[ItemId], undoable: bool) -> crate::Result<(usi
     let mut failed = BTreeSet::new();
     for i in ids {
         if let Some(ItemKind::Footage(f)) = s.project.item(*i).map(|x| &x.kind) {
-            // Probed the way it imports by default, so a sequence is found as one.
-            let nf = match s.probe_footage(&f.path) {
+            // Probed the way it imports by default, so a sequence is found as one. A path that
+            // is not followed is not read.
+            let probed = s.stored_paths.check(f).map_err(|(p, why)| crate::doc_path::refusal(&p, why)).and_then(|_| s.probe_footage(&f.path));
+            let nf = match probed {
                 Ok(p) => refreshed(s, f, p),
                 Err(_) if undoable => Footage { missing: true, ..f.clone() },
                 Err(_) => {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
index 96e09b57..a5b016b7 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ pub mod camera_track;
 pub mod commands;
 pub mod config;
 pub mod demo;
+pub mod doc_path;
 pub mod footage_check;
 pub mod footage_reload;
 pub mod guard;
@@ -508,6 +509,8 @@ pub struct Session {
     /// event loop (the desktop app) turn this on; headless sessions run `footage.check` when
     /// they want it.
     pub check_footage_on_open: bool,
+    /// Footage paths that came from a document, with that document ([`doc_path`]).
+    pub stored_paths: doc_path::StoredPaths,
     /// Each footage file's size and modification time when last seen (Settings ▸ Import ▸
     /// Reload Footage Changed on Disk, [`footage_reload`]).
     pub footage_stamps: std::collections::HashMap<String, footage_reload::Stamp>,
@@ -608,6 +611,7 @@ impl Default for Session {
             next_task_id: 1,
             learn: None,
             check_footage_on_open: false,
+            stored_paths: Default::default(),
             footage_stamps: Default::default(),
             footage_scan: None,
             script_calls: ScriptCalls::default(),
@@ -1128,6 +1132,7 @@ impl Session {
             job.wait();
         }
         self.render_job = None;
+        self.stored_paths = Default::default();
         self.stop_track();
         self.track_job = None;
         self.stop_mask_track();
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/media_browser.rs b/crates/engine/src/media_browser.rs
index b394ad93..d22875f1 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/media_browser.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/media_browser.rs
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ fn kind_name(k: FootageKind) -> &'static str {
 
 /// Metadata of footage (the fields the Metadata panel lists).
 pub fn footage_metadata(f: &Footage) -> Value {
-    let (created, modified, size) = file_dates(f.sequence.first().map(String::as_str).unwrap_or(&f.path));
+    let (created, modified, size) = if f.missing { (None, None, None) } else { file_dates(f.sequence.first().map(String::as_str).unwrap_or(&f.path)) };
     json!({
         "path": f.path,
         "kind": kind_name(f.kind),
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/offload.rs b/crates/engine/src/offload.rs
index bd1fec8a..ad2c0cde 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/offload.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/offload.rs
@@ -310,13 +310,15 @@ pub fn next_id() -> u64 {
     NEXT_ID.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed)
 }
 
-/// Footage files a project reads (paths, sequence frames).
+/// Footage files a project reads (paths, sequence frames; missing items read none).
 pub fn footage_files(p: &Project) -> Vec<String> {
     let mut v: Vec<String> = p
         .items
         .values()
         .filter_map(|i| match &i.kind {
-            ItemKind::Footage(f) if !f.path.is_empty() => Some(std::iter::once(f.path.clone()).chain(f.sequence.iter().cloned()).collect::<Vec<_>>()),
+            ItemKind::Footage(f) if !f.path.is_empty() && !f.missing => {
+                Some(std::iter::once(f.path.clone()).chain(f.sequence.iter().cloned()).collect::<Vec<_>>())
+            }
             _ => None,
         })
         .flatten()
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_import_project.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_import_project.rs
index 6aa52b41..cbc161c9 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_import_project.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_import_project.rs
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ fn import_project_merges_with_fresh_ids_and_one_undo() {
     // A relative footage path resolves next to the imported project; a missing one is reported.
     let data = t.project.items.values().find(|i| i.name == "data.json").unwrap();
     let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &data.kind else { panic!("footage") };
-    assert_eq!(std::path::Path::new(&f.path), dir.join("data.json"));
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::canonicalize(&f.path).unwrap(), std::fs::canonicalize(dir.join("data.json")).unwrap());
     assert_eq!(r["missingMedia"], json!(["/offline/gone.mov"]));
 
     // One undo step removes all of it; redo brings it back.
diff --git a/crates/lottie/Cargo.toml b/crates/lottie/Cargo.toml
index ec71de40..a9f64b3b 100644
--- a/crates/lottie/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/lottie/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ rust-version.workspace = true
 workspace = true
 
 [dependencies]
+craft-docpath = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-time = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-color = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-keyframe = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/lottie/src/import.rs b/crates/lottie/src/import.rs
index 0fb1bfeb..7730017d 100644
--- a/crates/lottie/src/import.rs
+++ b/crates/lottie/src/import.rs
@@ -88,6 +88,21 @@ impl Ctx<'_> {
     }
 }
 
+/// The file an external image asset (`u` + `p`) names, taken from `base_dir`, the folder of the
+/// Lottie file. Only local files, or files on the network share the Lottie file is on, are
+/// imported (see `craft_docpath`).
+fn external_image(stored: &str, base_dir: &str) -> Result<String, String> {
+    let doc = (!base_dir.is_empty()).then(|| {
+        let doc = std::path::Path::new(base_dir).join("lottie.json");
+        std::path::absolute(&doc).unwrap_or(doc)
+    });
+    match craft_docpath::resolve(stored, doc.as_deref()) {
+        Ok(path) if path.is_absolute() => Ok(path.to_string_lossy().into_owned()),
+        Ok(_) => Err(format!("{stored} is relative and the Lottie file's folder is not known")),
+        Err(why) => Err(format!("{stored}: {why}")),
+    }
+}
+
 /// Import a Lottie document (JSON or a stored `.lottie` archive) into `project` as a new
 /// composition. `store` saves embedded images and returns the file path to use;
 /// `base_dir` resolves external image references.
@@ -145,8 +160,13 @@ pub fn import(
                 (cx.store)(&ImportedImage { id: id.to_string(), name: nm.clone(), bytes: data, ext: ext.into() })
             } else {
                 let u = s(a, "u").unwrap_or("");
-                let rel = format!("{u}{p}");
-                Some(if rel.starts_with('/') || cx.base_dir.is_empty() { rel } else { format!("{}/{rel}", cx.base_dir.trim_end_matches('/')) })
+                match external_image(&format!("{u}{p}"), cx.base_dir) {
+                    Ok(path) => Some(path),
+                    Err(why) => {
+                        cx.im.warn(format!("image asset `{id}` is not imported: {why}"));
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                }
             };
             let Some(path) = path else {
                 cx.im.warn(format!("image asset `{id}` could not be stored"));
diff --git a/crates/lottie/src/tests.rs b/crates/lottie/src/tests.rs
index 19aac0f9..e819c023 100644
--- a/crates/lottie/src/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/lottie/src/tests.rs
@@ -806,3 +806,26 @@ fn extreme_enum_numbers_do_not_overflow() {
     let mut q = Project::default();
     import(&mut q, doc.to_string().as_bytes(), "x", "", &mut |_| None).unwrap();
 }
+
+/// External image assets are taken from the Lottie file's folder; one on another computer is not
+/// imported.
+#[test]
+fn external_images_are_local_or_skipped() {
+    let base = std::env::temp_dir().join("ec-lottie-anim");
+    let mut assets = vec![
+        serde_json::json!({"id": "near", "u": "images/", "p": "a.png", "w": 1, "h": 1}),
+        serde_json::json!({"id": "unc", "u": "", "p": r"\\192.0.2.1\share\x.png", "w": 1, "h": 1}),
+        serde_json::json!({"id": "url", "u": "file://192.0.2.1/s/", "p": "x.png", "w": 1, "h": 1}),
+    ];
+    // `u` + `p` is `//tmp/…/a.png`, which Linux reads as a local file.
+    if cfg!(unix) {
+        assets.push(serde_json::json!({"id": "slashes", "u": "/", "p": base.join("a.png").to_string_lossy(), "w": 1, "h": 1}));
+    }
+    let doc = serde_json::json!({"w": 10, "h": 10, "fr": 30, "ip": 0, "op": 30, "assets": assets, "layers": []});
+    let mut q = Project::default();
+    let r = import(&mut q, doc.to_string().as_bytes(), "x", &base.to_string_lossy(), &mut |_| None).unwrap();
+    let paths: Vec<String> = q.items.values().filter_map(|i| if let ItemKind::Footage(f) = &i.kind { Some(f.path.clone()) } else { None }).collect();
+    assert_eq!(paths.len(), 1, "{paths:?}");
+    assert_eq!(std::path::Path::new(&paths[0]), base.join("images").join("a.png"));
+    assert_eq!(r.warnings.iter().filter(|w| w.contains("is not imported")).count(), assets.len() - 1, "{:?}", r.warnings);
+}
diff --git a/crates/media/Cargo.toml b/crates/media/Cargo.toml
index bb47dccb..0ef01d83 100644
--- a/crates/media/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/media/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ rust-version.workspace = true
 workspace = true
 
 [dependencies]
+craft-docpath = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-time = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-project = { workspace = true }
 effectcraft-raster = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/media/src/pool.rs b/crates/media/src/pool.rs
index 98c70710..9a8ec5c2 100644
--- a/crates/media/src/pool.rs
+++ b/crates/media/src/pool.rs
@@ -557,9 +557,9 @@ impl Inner {
             return m.clone();
         }
         let loaded = self.read(path).map_err(|e| e.to_string()).and_then(|bytes| {
-            let dir = std::path::Path::new(path).parent().map(|d| d.to_path_buf()).unwrap_or_default();
+            // Files the model names are read only when local or on the model's own network share.
             let resolve = |uri: &str| -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
-                let p = dir.join(uri);
+                let p = craft_docpath::resolve(uri, Some(std::path::Path::new(path))).ok().filter(|p| p.is_absolute())?;
                 self.read(&p.to_string_lossy()).ok().map(|b| b.to_vec())
             };
             effectcraft_model::load(path, &bytes, &resolve).map_err(|e| e.to_string())
@@ -1140,4 +1140,27 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(px(&f, FloatCurve::Srgb), srgb);
         assert_eq!(px(&f, FloatCurve::Gamma24), g24);
     }
+
+    /// A model's material library is read beside it; one named by a path to another computer
+    /// is not read.
+    #[test]
+    fn model_files_on_other_computers_are_not_read() {
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-model-files-{}", std::process::id()));
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(dir.join("red.mtl"), "newmtl red\nKd 1 0 0\n").unwrap();
+        let pool = MediaPool::new();
+        let red = |name: &str, mtl: &str| {
+            let path = dir.join(name);
+            std::fs::write(&path, format!("mtllib {mtl}\nv 0 0 0\nv 1 0 0\nv 0 1 0\nusemtl red\nf 1 2 3\n")).unwrap();
+            let model = pool.inner.model(&path.to_string_lossy()).unwrap();
+            model.materials.iter().any(|m| m.base_color[..3] == [1.0, 0.0, 0.0])
+        };
+        assert!(red("beside.obj", "red.mtl"));
+        assert!(!red("unc.obj", r"\\192.0.2.1\share\red.mtl"));
+        assert!(!red("url.obj", "file://192.0.2.1/s/red.mtl"));
+        // Linux reads `//dir/red.mtl` as the local file.
+        #[cfg(unix)]
+        assert!(!red("slashes.obj", &format!("/{}", dir.join("red.mtl").display())));
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/project.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/project.rs
index 76309a5d..c4e9894c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/project.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/project.rs
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@ pub fn fmt_size(bytes: u64) -> String {
     }
 }
 
-/// Footage file size on disk (comps, solids and folders have none).
+/// Footage file size on disk (comps, solids, folders and missing footage have none).
 fn file_size(it: &Item) -> Option<u64> {
     match &it.kind {
-        ItemKind::Footage(f) => std::fs::metadata(&f.path).ok().map(|m| m.len()),
+        ItemKind::Footage(f) if !f.missing => std::fs::metadata(&f.path).ok().map(|m| m.len()),
         _ => None,
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/waveform.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/waveform.rs
index 6fc42ed3..4e355f95 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/waveform.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/waveform.rs
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ pub fn summary(app: &EffectcraftApp, ctx: &egui::Context, item: ItemId) -> Optio
         .name("ec-waveform".into())
         .spawn(move || {
             use effectcraft_engine::media_cache;
-            let file = cache.and_then(|d| media_cache::peaks_path(&d, &f.path, BINS_PER_SEC));
+            let file = cache.filter(|_| !f.missing).and_then(|d| media_cache::peaks_path(&d, &f.path, BINS_PER_SEC));
             let peaks = match file.as_deref().and_then(media_cache::load_peaks) {
                 Some(p) => p,
                 None => {