How to make CC Library assets replace local assets in a project

[Farillio]

Hi everyone. I've been using the same working folder template for work for several years and now have the same files used over and over again in my archive. I thought I'd try using Libraries for commonly used assets (yes I'm late to the party), but I cannot work out how to replace the local footage with the library based footage (the same). Anyone hasten to offer a solution please?

Also is there a way to archive a project in Project Manager and replace all the local footage links to Library links? This would be super useful as I could then optimise the project footprint in the archive and recover space. All advice welcome. Thanks

[John V Knowles · Accepted solution]

Hi there!

Very cool that you want to start working with Libraries, they're a great tool especially for common, reused elements. But they do work differently than you're expecting so let me explain the issue here:

• Libraries are stored exclusively in the Adobe Cloud. You can view the items inside a Library in any application with the Libraries panel (Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, the CC Desktop app, etc.) but essentially you're looking at a preview of those items.
• The Libraries don't exist as local cloud storage, like Google Drive or Dropbox. Meaning they're not synced to your computer as local files. In order to use something in a Library inside a project you need to drag/import that item into the project -- this will automatically download the item and make it available as a local file on your computer. 
• The location the item saves to is dictated by the Project Settings >Scratch Disk window; there's a file path setting for "CC Libraries Downloads."

So in your situation, there's no way to replace the clips in your project with the same clips from the Library because those files don't really exist until they've been downloaded and added to the project; you won't save any drive space because of this. Unfortunately you just can't work directly from the Library as a media source.

What I would recommend you do is: add all of your common clips to your local Creative Cloud Files folder. That folder stores assets locally and also syncs them to the Cloud so you can access them anywhere. Just import them each time you start a new project. For archiving via the Project Manager, I would simply OFFLINE those clips, that way they won't be copied to your archive along with your other project files.

LMK if this helps!

JVK

[Farillio]

Thanks JVK for your comprehensive answer. This explains everything very well and your alternative solution is excellent.

Is there a way to specify the Creative Cloud Files folder to another drive? I've tried doing this in the Sync part in preferences in the CC app, but it always says "Unable to create the creative cloud files folder". What am I doing wrong?

[John V Knowles]

You're very welcome, glad to help!

As for moving the folder, did you follow the steps listed on this page: Creative Cloud FAQ -- Cloud app, click on cloud icon, sprocket, change location in the prefs? If you have and it's not working then make sure you have the correct permissions applied to the drive you're trying to move it to.