1
Download the desktop app for macOS or Windows
Download the Aspect desktop app and install the version for your operating system.The desktop app provides the mounted drive used in this walkthrough and is also the best option for large uploads.
2
Upload some files
Create a project and choose Active Storage, or open an existing Active Storage project. This storage tier supports the mounted-drive steps below. Add a few videos, images, audio files, or documents.You can upload through the browser or the desktop app. Upload an entire folder if you want Aspect to preserve its nested folder structure.You can keep browsing while uploads continue in the background. See Upload and organize files for the complete workflow.
3
Mount the project
In the desktop app, select the drive icon in the left sidebar, find your project, and select Mount.After mounting finishes, select the mounted path shown for the project, such as /Volumes/ProjectName on macOS. Aspect reveals it in Finder or File Explorer, where its folders and files appear like content on another drive without requiring you to download the entire project first. For setup details, streaming behavior, and troubleshooting, see Mount your first project.
4
Search your library
Return to Aspect in your browser and use AI Search to find something inside the files you uploaded.Describe what you need in plain English, such as “a wide shot of the beach” or “the interview where someone mentions the budget.”Once indexing is complete, Aspect can find matching files and relevant moments using visual content, speech, and metadata.
5
Reveal the result locally
Right-click the search result and choose Open in mount.Aspect reveals the exact file inside the mounted project in Finder on macOS or File Explorer on Windows. You can then open it with any compatible application on your computer.
Next steps
- Learn what happens after upload in Uploading and Organizing.
- Explore upload controls in Upload and organize files.