Skip to main content
K
KatieByrne
New Participant
June 7, 2021
Answered

Is it possible to export/sync Bridge collections across two computers?

  • June 7, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 6926 views

I'm wondering if it's possible to export the Bridge workspace I have setup on my laptop. I've used collections to group my files in Bridge on my laptop, but when I open Bridge on my imac it's not synced. It's the same account for both computers - does anyone know if this is possible? 

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Stephen Marsh

    @Stephen Marsh  and it is a collection not a smart collection.


    Just to be clear, I am talking of changing the path to image assets, not the collection or smart collection files. I think that Bridge will always be looking at C: drive for the collection or smart collection "library' files.

     

    So if your actual image assets have changed from C to D...

     

    AFAIK, you have two choices for a collection:

     

    1) Delete and start again

    2) Edit the .filelist file in a text editor

     

    On Windows, as previously mentioned, the path to the file would be similar to (changing the username to your current computer user account name without spaces):

     

    C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Bridge 2021\Collections

     

    Note that the AppData directory is probably hidden and you will need to make hidden items visible. You can search the web for info on how to do this if you don't know how.

     

    Once you find the collection that ends in a filename extension of .filelist (again, extensions may be invisible and you may need to change system settings to show known filename extensions).

     

    In this screenshot, I am using notepad to change all occurrences of C: to 😧 drive:

     

    2 replies

    L
    Lumigraphics
    Brainiac
    June 7, 2021

    The workspace you can move to a new computer, but collections are machine-specific and can't be moved.

    Stephen Marsh
    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    June 7, 2021

    The .filelist can be moved. And updated. Adobe offer a GUI to help update the links by browsing to the same asset/s at a new location.

     

    Even without the GUI, it is possible to edit the XML data and update the paths.

     

    Same for smart collections, the .collection XML file can have each URI updated.

     

    I have done this from Mac to Windows and vice versa.

     

    A simple find and replace to batch update the assets paths to the same file on the new system. It is better than rebuilding the collection or smart collection (unless that is the easier answer). There is of course no sync, it has to be performed manually each time there is a change.

      N
      nilaco
      Known Participant
      October 10, 2023

      @Stephen Marsh 

      Whow, that's it. 

      I used FileZilla and changed all files with the extension .filelist in the "Collection" directory in one process.

      Very cool. Everything worked.

      Thank you Stephen for your support. You just really helped us a lot.

       


      sorry did you use Filezilla client or server?

      Stephen Marsh
      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      June 7, 2021

       

      Yes it is possible*, however, I believe that it is going to be a manual process for the workspace, collections and other assets.

       

      Is your laptop a Mac or Windows OS? What version of Bridge of the laptop?

       

      What version of Bridge on the iMac?

       

      Apart from the workspace and collections, what else? Smart collections? Keywords? Batch rename tool presets etc? 

       

      * Some of these files will be need to be updated as computer specific locations are referenced

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices