Adobe Asset Link Plugin in Photoshop

We have been using AEM for several months now, and I have used the Adobe Asset Link plugin in Photoshop to access our assets to download, edit, and use. I'm curious if it's possible to access the Adobe Asset Link without having to have a file open? I always have to have a blank file open in order to access the plugin, but I'm curious if there is another way. I know I can access AEM through a web browser and download assets from there, but it's so convenient to download them directly from the plugin. Am I missing something?