Simple Bridge question

New Bridge user, hoping this is simple! Using Bridge as a possible replacement for FotoStation Pro. Mainly  to view/export from my portable hard drive my picture archive.

When I use and select an image, this works fine. But the software has to "collect" my images again and re do everything for thumbnail view. Is there a way of avoiding this re-do and keep my gallery?

Grateful for help please? Basically want to view my archive & extract when needed? Also want to add new pix to my archive and for this to update in my images view.

thank you