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Use an external drive when you want more room for streamed media without filling your computer’s primary disk. The external drive stores Aspect’s local cache. Your project remains in Aspect as the shared source of truth. Files still stream on demand, changes synchronize back to the project, and removing cached data does not delete the originals.

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When to use this workflow

An external cache drive is useful when:
  • Your primary disk has limited free space.
  • You repeatedly work with large media files.
On macOS, use an APFS-formatted external drive when possible. Aspect does not currently publish a recommended filesystem for every operating system.

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Set up the external drive

1

Connect the drive

Connect the external SSD and confirm that it appears in your computer’s file browser. Make sure you can create and save a test file on it.
2

Open cache settings

Open the Aspect desktop app settings and find the local cache controls.
3

Choose the external drive

Change the cache location to a folder on the external drive. Use a dedicated folder so the Aspect cache is easy to identify.
4

Set the cache limit

Choose the maximum space Aspect may use. Leave room for other files on the drive instead of assigning its full capacity to the cache.
5

Mount the project

Mount the Aspect project and open media from the mounted drive in your creative application. Aspect streams the requested content and stores recently accessed segments in the external cache.
6

Pin anything needed offline

Cache data may contain only parts of a file and may be removed automatically. Pin files or folders when you need complete, guaranteed local copies.

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During the work session

  • Keep the selected cache drive connected and available.
  • Save work to the mounted Aspect project, not inside the cache folder.
  • Confirm that changes have synchronized before ending the session.
  • Keep enough free space for the cache, project files, and exports.
  • Expect the first access to uncached content to use your internet connection.
Do not use the cache folder as a backup or manually organize files inside it. Aspect manages that folder automatically, and the originals remain in the Aspect project.

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Cache or pin?

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Troubleshoot the external cache

If Aspect cannot use the selected location:
  • Confirm that the drive is connected and visible to the computer.
  • Confirm that you can write to the selected folder.
  • Check that the drive has available space.
  • Reopen the Aspect desktop app and review the configured cache location.
  • Choose another supported location if the external drive will not be available for the session.
For general streaming or mounting issues, review Mount your first project and Understanding how Instant Access works.

Caching

Prepare and manage the cache for an active work session.

Cache management

Change the cache size or location and understand automatic eviction.

Pinning

Keep complete files and folders available offline.

Mount your first project

Connect an Aspect project to your computer and open it as a mounted drive.