Participant

Question

Frustrated with Adobe Bridge Panels

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
March 30, 2023
4 replies
1064 views

This is more a rant than a question. But after 30 years in photoshop, I opened up Bridge, and the whole interface is changed. As a pro photographer with a very tight workflow, I now struggle to use Bridge frustrated with work piling up. And mind you I simply need a row of small images with a large image to select, so simple, the filmstrip option in the older versions....which you can't by any means make happen in one click...why did they change that???? I by some magic get that workflow set up with panels, then flash it is gone, back to another setup of panels that does not work for me....

Is there any good video to explain how these panels work and how I can make them work easily and then lock them? I am really confused and simply need this to work asap so I am not spending 90% of my mental energy fooling around with panels or dreading opening the bridge not knowing what config it might be in this time or what accidental keystroke sends the whole thing into another setup.

How to

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peter fren

Participant

THANK YOU! I thought I was the only one feeling so very frustrated by this new version. Argh!!! and other words not suitable for publication. Adobe - the old one worked perfectly. I have yet to take the time to explore the options available now - still muttering into my coffee about the loss of the old. I suspect I will have to play but I am not pleased. May be time to leave Adobe and go elsewhere - Adobe - you are THAT difficult.

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Lockies

Inspiring

Hi Peter Fren, I am using Bridge 14.10 on a Mac Mini and Bridge is running as it used to be, however as per my previous post, on another Mac Mini same specs I have to use Bridge Beta vesion to get back to the original film strip across the bottom and image in the main pane, I am just hoping that my main Mac keeps the original Bridge version otherwise I will have to use the Beta version on that as well, hard to understand why Adobe would remove such a common and much used function from Bridge and force users to use a Beta product when PS works fine in original mode.

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Lockies

Inspiring

Have same problem Bridge on Ventura and now Sonoma has filmstrip across top of panel, solution is to use BETA Bridge version that appeas to be working like the old system.

gary_sc

Community Expert

Since the release of Bridge 13 back in October, the howls of pain for the loss of multiple windows have been loud and clear. They know.

I can verify that Adobe IS WORKING ON THIS. But when it will be released is completely unknown.

I have seen many very strong reasons why the two-window approach is preferred, but please also be aware that I personally like the new dynamic (multiple Content Tabs). While I am NOT expecting you to change and appreciate the multiple Content Tabs completely, multiple Windows will not magically appear tomorrow. Below are some simple processes that work for me to use multiple Content Tabs. They may not work for you, but they do provide AN approach. Perhaps, when multiple windows reappear, you might find a combination of approaches will be even better than one or the other — I do not know, that's up to you.

And also, I am by no means completely satisfied with how things are. There are simple (or seemingly simple to my mind) things that could be added to make what is there much better. But those features are not there now.

Nonetheless, hopefully, this might provide some ideas to work with to get your work done. It's either that or revert back to Bridge 2022, PS 2022, and ACR 2022.

New Workflows

If you look at the Content Panel, note the hamburger menu on the right-hand side (three horizontal lines). To the left of the Hamburger menu, you'll see a plus (+) (red arrow). If you click on that, you'll get a new Content Panel. If you click on the option in the Hamburger menu for a new Content Panel (green arrow), you'll also get a new Content Panel.

The primary disadvantage of these two options currently is that either will default to a "home" position and are not likely to provide access to the folder you want. Fortunately, for any Content Panel that is active (note the blue square and blue line circling the Panel), if you go to the Recent icon in the icons on top, if you select a folder from there, it will open up in that Content Panel.

Likewise, if you select a folder from the Folders Panel. In addition, if you take an image or a folder and drag it to the Bridge icon in the Dock, THAT folder will open in the active Content Panel. Hopefully, soon they will provide both "Open" and "Recent" options in the Hamburger menu.

If you have a folder with other sub-folders, you can always right-click on one of the subfolders, and it can be opened in a new Content Panel

Once you have two or more Content Panels, you can drag from one to the other by simply mouse-down on an image (or all selected images), then move the mouse up to the title area of the other Content Panel to make it the active Panel and release. IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE before you do anything, then Comand/Control-z and you'll be good. BTW, if you see a blue line around a Content Tab, that means that that is the Active Tab.

Note also that extra Content Panels can be placed and/or moved to any other location in the Bridge window.

I hope this explains some of the new workflows available to you.

gregreser

Legend

@mikeb41865373 the filmstrip workspace is still available in Bridge 2023. If you do not see it along the top then it might be in the "overfolw" workflow menu. Click >> to see the full list.

Click Edit Workspaces to rearrange the order so Filmstrip always appears

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gertl18670298

Inspiring

Hi Gary

Thank You for the tips and tricks, but it's not the issue here! It is NOT about the missing "new window", although I really like to get them back, but a simple matter of "minimize and maximize" through the standard buttons i the upper right hand corner of a Windows program. In version 2022 You could make Your layout/workspace as You would in the "maximize mode", save as Your workspace, and then hit the "minimize mode" and drag the panels to the size and shape You want, and it would be "remembered" by the program to show as expected when shifting between the modes.

It has always been that way, and I have used it for many many years!

In my opinion, Adobe should think of what Bridge is for a piece of software......... it's for viewing content and filtering subjects in folders......!! Use Your developing skills in other areas!

Regard

Gert

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gertl18670298

Inspiring

Hey Mike

I totally agree! The 2023 version is a mess!

I'm used to organize only two panels..... In full screen mode, one column about 1/5 of the screen with the folder tree at the far right, and the rest to the left for viewing thumbnails. When I minimize, the window stays in the right side of the screen, and I have about 1/4 of the screen with two panels in full height...... thumbnails to the left, and still the folder tree to the right. At least in version 2022!!!

The benefit of that, is when You are in Photoshop, and Bridge is "on top", it's very easy to drag the desired picture directly into Photoshop!

In version 2023 of Bridge, it cannot be done to save workspace to act like this!!

So sad........!!

Regard

Gert Laursen

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