Overview
Air Flow is a powerful desktop application that makes it easy to access your assets and files when you need them. Air Flow enables users to access their Air content locally, right within Finder. This time-saving, convenient feature was built for creatives in mind who use editing software in Adobe Creative Suite, like Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, and Photoshop. Now you can simply open a file from your synced Air folder in Finder, make your changes, and save a new version in the workspace right from the editor.
With Air Flow, you have the power to:
View an entire workspace from within Finder
View sync status of content in Finder
Take right-click actions in Finder (sync/unsync, open in Air, copy Share Link URL)
Please note: Quick Actions in the right-click menu in Finder only appear for the active workspace in Air Flow
View sync activity in the desktop app
Change local location of synced folder
System Requirements
Air Flow is currently available for Mac OS 10.5 or higher.
Features
Two-Way Sync
Two-way sync helps users access their workspace content locally on their computer’s hard drive so they can do work in local editing tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Users are able to access their workspace files locally from within their file system through integration with macOS Finder.
Upon Air Flow's installation, the Air folder will be automatically added to the Finder sidebar/favorites list. The default Air file sync folder is located at Users/{user name}/Air but you have the option to change this local folder location from within the Air Flow Preferences settings.
Access Control
Only workspace member Admins & Editors have access to two-way sync. Commenter members and Guests in a workspace will not have access to the workspace through the desktop app.
Auto Duplicate Detection
Assets uploaded through Air Flow with the same name will be detected; Air will show a prompt to ask users whether they want to stack assets with a new version or overwrite the original asset completely.
Workspace Structure Matching
Your entire workspace structure is matched locally within Finder, even files that are not synced locally. Air Flow automatically creates a top-level "Air" folder on your computer. It then creates sub-folders for every workspace you choose to sync, along with nested folders and files for every Library, Board, and Asset in your workspace.
Version Control
If any changes are made on an asset locally, a new version will be saved and uploaded to Air automatically.
Sync Activity/History
View a comprehensive log of any activity in synced boards, including:
files added
files removed
updates to files
Desktop App Notifications
Options to toggle desktop notifications for events, including:
new uploads to synced boards
deletions from synced boards
changes to files/assets
sync errors
workspace plan storage limits
Note: workspace activity in-app notifications are not included.
macOS Finder Integration
Users are able to edit sync status directly from the Finder. From the right-click menu, users are able to:
Make available offline
Make online only
View in Air.inc
Share a link
Sync Status Icons
Synced up to date
Changes detected
Partially synced (for a board with only some files synced)
Sync in progress
Online only (not synced locally)
Error
How to install Air Flow
Open the Air Flow .dmg file
Move the Application to the Applications Folder. You're then free to delete the .dmg file
Open the Air Flow app and follow the prompted instructions
Access the app by clicking the Air icon in the menu bar
Provide the necessary permissions to Air Flow
Log in to your existing account
Select a workspace to sync (Note: Only one workspace can be synced to a local drive at a time.)
Verify the sync successful confirmation message
Open the Finder App – A successful installation displays Air as listed under your User location within Finder. You should have an Air logo that appears next to the Air folder in favorites, and icons next to your items in Finder confirming the sync. If you do not see the icons, please refer to this troubleshooting step.
Once installed, you can now view your entire workspace from Finder in the nested layout of your board structure.
Sync the desired content to your hard drive in the Preferences menu.
How to Sync
From Air Flow
Select “New” option to create a new sync in the desktop app UI
Search workspace boards and assets to select a board or asset to sync
View and edit sync status of boards and assets in the desktop app UI
Select boards or assets to sync locally, or select any synced boards/assets to unsync
From Finder
Drag folders or files into the Air local folder to upload and sync content
With the entire workspace represented in Finder, users will be able to drag the file/folders into their desired workspace location
From the Web App
“Download + sync” a board or asset
Select “download + sync” or “work offline” option on board or asset
Downloads content to local location and opens Finder
If the user has the desktop app installed, create a new folder in the local Air folder that matches the board's name, and download the board's contents to it, including sub-boards.
Syncing to an External Hard Drive
Syncing to the external hard drive is possible through Air Flow. The way to do this would be to change the sync folder by going to Settings (the gear icon on the upper right corner of the app) -> Preferences -> Local folder location. You can then select the folder on your external drive and the sync will start.
However, when you are going to disconnect your hard drive, please make sure to quit Air Flow first to prevent problems with syncing. Additionally, before opening the app again, make sure that the external drive is connected. This is because Air Flow is a two-way sync so the app will search for the hard drive when it is open.
Troubleshooting
What would cause Air Flow to remove files from a workspace?
Boards or assets in a workspace are removed if the corresponding folders or files are removed from the workspace folder in Finder. If any user with the Air Flow app does this, items will be removed from the workspace for everyone. Removing the workspace folder from Finder won’t delete the workspace or any content within; this just stops the sync to that user’s computer.
What should I do if the Air Flow app freezes or won't update?
If the Air Flow app crashes or freezes, force quitting Air Flow:
Open “Activity Monitor” on your computer
Search for “Air”
Highlight the row that says “Air” and has the official app icon
Click the “X” and then click “Force quit”
Restart Air
What should I do if the sync process is not working?
If the sync process is not working, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
Check if the Air Flow app and your computer are both up to date.
Resync the workspace by closing the Air Flow app and delete the workspace folder in Finder. Reopening the app will log you out and then prompt you to sign in and sync a workspace again.
Check if there is enough storage space available on your computer and in your Air workspace.
Uninstall and reinstall the app.
Contact Air Support for further assistance.
What if I can't see my sync status icons in Finder?
To troubleshoot this issue, disable and enable extension settings:
Open System Settings
Search for extensions, then click on "Added extensions":
3. Toggle all your extensions off and wait a few seconds. Then, toggle the "AirLift" extension only on, and wait a few more seconds. Finally, toggle the rest of your extensions back on. Once that's complete, you should restart Finder and Air Flow and then check to see if the sync status icons have re-appeared.
What should I do if something seems wrong?
If you encounter any issues or have any questions about Air Flow, don't hesitate to reach out to Air Support for assistance. To get more information about your Air Flow history, we may need certain logs and files for our engineers to investigate:
How to find the logs folder and db.sqlite files
Open a Finder window
Hit Shift+Cmd+G on your keyboard
Copy and paste
/Users/{username}/Library/Application Support/air-desktopinto the search barEdit the
{username}section to fit with the correct details (to find the username use the information hereSelect the db.sqlite and logs in the folder
FAQs
How does the Air desktop app work?
Air’s new desktop app integrates with your Mac OS Finder to make your entire workspace available on your computer, without opening the web browser. You have the control to choose which assets and boards are downloaded to your computer (called ‘Offline’ files) and which files are visible but not yet downloaded (called ‘Online only’). Updates made to workspace files in Finder will be immediately reflected in your workspace and on any other teammate’s synced computer so everyone always has the most up-to-date file.
How do I update the app to the newest version?
When a new update is available, you'll automatically be prompted to update the app. You can manually check for updates in the app by using the Check for updates option from the gear icon in the app.
What happens if I edit synced files on my computer?
Edits made to synced files in Finder will be automatically reflected on the asset in your workspace! That’s the magic of Air Flow – continuous workspace sync with your computer so everyone always has the most up-to-date content!
How can I switch workspaces using Air Flow?
Air Flow is only capable of syncing one workspace at a time. From the Air Flow app settings, you have the option to 'Switch Workspaces'. You'll then be prompted to choose another workspace you have access to. From there, you can sync this workspace to your local drive and select which content to download to your local drive.
How do I manage my synced workspaces?
You can choose to reduce the number of boards that are actually downloaded to your computer from "Preferences > Downloaded Content," or to unsync an entire workspace and remove it from your Finder, quit the app and remove the top-level workspace folder in Finder, which will terminate the sync and remove the workspace from your local drive. Quitting the app first ensures the assets will remain in your Air workspace. if you have more than one workspace synced, removing a top-level workspace folder will switch you to another workspace in Air Flow. If not, you will be logged out.
What happens if I edit a folder name or delete a folder that’s in my local workspace folder in Finder?
🚨 Workspace parent folder names should not be edited by users in Finder, and changing the name will unsync your workspace. Deleting a folder in your workspace folder in Finder will remove the corresponding board in your workspace. The assets within that board will not be removed from the workspace and can still be found in the workspace library.
⚠️ Please be careful when managing workspace files and folders in Finder as we will not be able to restore any deleted boards.
Can multiple people in my workspace have the Air desktop app installed?
Multiple people on your workspace are able to use Air Flow. The app is meant for admins and editors of a workspace to use!
⚠️ Please be sure to inform your team that any edits or deletions of local files will update and delete content from your team’s workspace.
How do I change where the Air folder is stored on my computer?
You can change the location of your local Air folder from the Preferences menu. Please note: Options in the Preferences section are not available while a workspace is actively syncing.
How do versions work with Air Flow?
If you edit and save an existing file in Finder, it will create a new version of the corresponding asset in Air and keep the original version of the file within a version stack in Air as V1.
Renaming a file in Finder does not add a new version in Air.
If an asset in Air has multiple versions, Finder will always show the most recent (cover) version as the corresponding file.
This means if you update the cover version in Air, the corresponding file in Finder will update to the new cover version.
If you add a file to a board folder in Finder that has the same name as an existing file, you'll be prompted to replace it. This will add that replacement as the most recent version.
Is the desktop app available for Windows?
Air Flow is not currently available for Windows. If your team members use Windows computers, please let us know so we can add these as requests for future improvements to the desktop app.
How much space does Air Flow take up on my computer?
The app itself takes up 350-500 MB of space on your computer’s disk. How much space the files within your Air folder uses is up to you as only the files you choose to sync (’Make available offline’) will take up meaningful space on your computer.
How to Uninstall Air Flow
If you need to uninstall the Air Flow app from your computer, please make sure to quit the app before removing any folders/files from Finder. Why? Because if the app is running and a board folder is removed, it will be deleted from your workspace. If you remove an entire workspace folder, it will not delete the workspace or the boards/asset within and will stop the sync of that workspace with Finder. To uninstall Air and remove Air data:
Quit the Air app completely (this stops any syncing and prevents accidental deletion)
From Applications, move the Air application to Trash
Move the Air folder within Finder to Trash
This step ensures that if you decide to install the app again, it won’t add duplicate boards/assets to Finder as folders/files when a previously synced workspace is synced again
Find the Application Support folder in Finder by navigating Go -> Go to folder (Shift + Command + G), type /Users/{userName}/Library/Application Support
Press Enter and move the 'air-desktop' folder from Application Support folder to Trash