What can Bridge Do, that Explorer Can't?

Question

Please forgive the simple question, but if I have a perfectly good filing system, why would I start using Bridge?

What does Bridge do, that I can't already do with a good filing system in Windows?

I ask this because I don't want to add another layer of complexity over a perfectly good filing system if it's not going to do some really cool and useful stuff.

Adding Bridge will cause more problems because adding more programs always means more likelihood of problems to solve.

If the benefits of adding Bridge to the file management system doesn't outweigh the problems that it will inevitably create, then I don't want to do it.

And yes, I know it "depends" on what I want to do with my file system. I'm asking what it does in general, not what will it do specifically for me, so please don't answer by saying "it depends on what I am doing with the files." I know that much already. What does it do for everyone, and why would it be worth the trouble of the inevitable problems that will come with more software complexity?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

-Michael

Sheena Kaul · Accepted Answer

Hi Michael,Please see How to organize content and assets using Adobe Bridge to know more about working in Adobe Bridge and checking the features and differences from File explorer. Also, refer Why use Bridge? for more information.Regards,Sheena

AnneMarie Concepcion · Answer

It doesn't replace your operating system's filing system, it just another way to look at and search through your files. Bridge is a standalone program so you won't see it when you're in Explorer in Windows (that is, "My Computer" views).

When you're in Bridge you can:

- Select a file (typically, an image, video, PDF, or InDesign layout) and see a preview of it (play the video, page through the InDesign layout or PDF)

- See the metadata behind a file and edit many of its fields, then search or sort by that metadata, far more metadata attributes than offered in Windows explorer or Mac Finder

- Select a folder and in a panel at left immediately see the stats of what kinds of files the folder (and its subfolder) contains, and select one or more types (e.g. jpegs created before a given date) to view only that selection, even though they're scattered in all the different subfolders. Then you can select one or more to do something with them (copy, move, rename, add to a Collection).

There are also automation/scripts features available in the menus that run on your selection.

At the very least, it's a faster and more powerful way to preview, select and open images for Photoshop. But I mainly use InDesign and use Bridge daily anyway.

It doesn't cost anything, doesn't hurt anything, won't interfere with your file structure, and is easily accessible from all the Adobe apps (the little Br icon in the top application bar, or File > Browse in Bridge), so it can be a handy extra tool in your toolbox.

hope that helps ...

AM

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