Collections

Collections let you gather related files and folders into one curated set. Use a collection to prepare content for a client review, presentation, delivery, or internal workflow without moving or copying the original files.

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How collections work

A collection points to files and folders in their original locations. When you add something to a collection:

• The original item stays in its existing folder.
• The item is not copied or duplicated.
• Your project folder structure does not change.
• The same item can appear in more than one collection.
• Removing the item from the collection does not delete the original.

For example, footage can remain in its production folders while selected clips are gathered into a client review collection.

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Create a collection

Gather related assets into one reusable view without moving their original files.

1. Open the project containing the files you want to collect.
2. Create a collection from the collection area.
3. Give the collection a clear name.
4. Add a short description explaining its purpose.
5. Add the files and folders you want to include.
6. Review the collection before sharing it.

Use names that explain what the collection contains, such as:

• Approved Social Deliverables
• Interview Selects

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Add files and folders

A collection can contain individual assets, complete folders, or a combination of both. There are two ways to add content.

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Use the actions menu

1. Select one or more files or folders.
2. Open the actions menu.
3. Choose the option to add them to a collection.
4. Select the destination collection.

You can select multiple items and add them together.

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Use drag and drop

Drag files or folders from the file view onto a collection in the side panel. Adding an item to a collection does not move it out of its original folder.

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Add an item to multiple collections

The same asset can appear in more than one collection. For example, an approved campaign video could appear in:

• A client delivery collection
• A social media collection
• A collection of approved brand assets

Each collection points to the same original asset. Aspect does not create another copy of the file.

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Arrange a collection

Items in a collection can have their own order, separate from the order of the original project folders. Arrange the content in the sequence you want recipients to see it. For example, a delivery collection might be ordered as:

1. Final video
2. Short social versions
3. Caption files

Changing the order in a collection does not change the original files or folders.

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Rename a collection

You can rename a collection at any time. Open the collection and select its title to edit it. Renaming a collection does not rename or move the files inside it.

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Add a description

Use the collection description to explain:

• What the collection contains
• What the recipient should review
• When feedback is due
• Which files are approved
• How the content should be used

Keep the description short. Add detailed feedback directly to the relevant asset.

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Remove an item

Removing an item from a collection does not delete the original file or folder.

1. Open the collection.
2. Select the files or folders you want to remove.
3. Open the actions menu.
4. Choose the option to remove them from the collection.

The items remain available in their original project locations.

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Delete a collection

Deleting a collection removes the curated set, but it does not delete the original files or folders inside it. Before deleting a shared collection, check whether anyone is still using its share link.

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Brand a collection

Add branding when presenting a collection to clients, partners, or stakeholders. Branding options can include:

• A description
• A background image
• Brand colors
• A logo
• Other visual styling

Branding changes how the collection is presented. It does not change the original files or folder structure. Use Display Customization to adjust your internal library view. These controls are separate from collection branding.

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Share a collection

Every collection can be shared through a link. People who receive the link can open it in their browser without an Aspect account or installed software. To share a collection:

1. Confirm that the collection contains only the intended files and folders.
2. Open the collection.
3. Choose Share.
4. Create a share link.
5. Choose what recipients are allowed to do.
6. Add a password or expiration date when needed.
7. Test the link before sending it.
8. Copy and send the link.

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Choose recipient permissions

Every share link allows recipients to view the shared content. You can also choose whether they can:

• Leave comments
• Download files
• Upload content
• Organize content
• View metadata
• Edit metadata
• View earlier versions

Only enable the permissions each recipient needs. Learn more in Sharing and permissions.

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Protect a shared collection

Share links can include additional protections.

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Password

Require recipients to enter a password before opening the collection.

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Expiration date

Set a date and time when the link should stop working.

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Watermark

Apply watermarked playback when reviewing sensitive video. Turn off Downloads separately if recipients should not receive the original file.

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Disable or delete a link

Disable a link to stop access temporarily. Delete the link when access should be permanently revoked.

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Common uses for collections

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Selects

Gather the best takes from a shoot, even when they are stored in different folders.

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Client review

Add the videos, images, or documents that need feedback and share the complete set with one link.

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Deliverables

Create a collection containing the approved files that should be delivered to a client or partner.

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Presentations

Arrange assets into a focused presentation for a stakeholder, campaign, pitch, or portfolio.

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Reusable content

Keep a collection of frequently used brand assets, b-roll, graphics, or approved media.

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Collections in archived projects

Archiving a project moves it to the Archived section on the workspace homepage. Its collections remain available, and existing collection share links continue to follow their permissions. This applies to projects in either Active Storage or Cold Storage. Archiving leaves the storage tier unchanged. See archiving a project.

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