❓ FAQ

General Questions

Q: Do I need an internet connection?
A: You need internet for:

  • Initial authentication
  • Subscription verification
  • Auto-updates
  • Offline: Imports and archives work offline after authentication

Q: Can I use SD Studio without a subscription?
A: Yes! 7-day free trial gives full access. After trial, subscription required.

Q: Does SD Studio work with all cameras?
A: SD Studio works with any SD card that macOS can read. It reads EXIF data from cameras to identify camera models.

Q: Can I import from multiple SD cards at once?
A: Yes! SD Studio supports importing from up to 3 SD cards simultaneously.

Q: What happens if I close SD Studio during import?
A: Imports continue in background. Reopen SD Studio to see progress. Completed imports are saved.

Backup Questions

Q: What is 3-2-1 backup?
A: Industry-standard backup strategy:

  • 3 total copies
  • 2 different media types
  • 1 off-site copy

Q: Do I need 3 backup destinations?
A: No, but recommended for professional workflows. Minimum: 1 backup destination (vault + 1 backup = 2 copies).

Q: Can I use cloud storage?
A: Yes! Use sync folders (Dropbox, iCloud Drive). Copy to local sync folder, cloud service uploads in background.

Q: What if a backup fails?
A: Import continues with successful backups. Failed backups are logged. Fix issue and import again if needed.

Q: How do I verify backups are working?
A: Enable checksum verification. SD Studio verifies files match source. Test restoring files manually.

Project Questions

Q: Can I customize project folder structure?
A: Yes! Create custom project profiles in Settings → Projects.

Q: Can I import directly to a project?
A: Yes! Choose "Import to Project" in import dialog. Select project from list.

Q: What happens when I delete a project?
A: Project folder is moved to Trash. Permanently deleted when Trash is emptied. Archive first if you want to keep it.

Q: Can I move projects between locations?
A: Yes, but update workspace root in Settings. SD Studio will rescan and find projects.

Archive Questions

Q: Does archiving delete original projects?
A: No, archiving copies projects. Originals remain in workspace. Delete manually after verifying archives.

Q: Can I archive to multiple destinations?
A: Yes! Add multiple archive destinations. Projects are copied to all enabled destinations.

Q: What if archive destination is full?
A: SD Studio validates space before archiving. If destination is full, archive fails with clear error message.

Q: Can I restore archived projects?
A: Yes! Copy projects back from archive destination to workspace folder. SD Studio will detect them.

Technical Questions

Q: What checksum algorithm should I use?
A:

  • File Size: Fastest, basic verification
  • MD5: Good balance of speed and security
  • SHA256: Maximum security, slower

Q: Why is import slow?
A: Several factors:

  • Large files take time to copy
  • Network destinations are slower
  • Checksum verification adds overhead
  • Multiple destinations multiply copy time

Q: Can I pause an import?
A: Not currently. Cancel and restart if needed. Completed files are preserved.

Q: Does SD Studio work with Thunderbolt drives?
A: Yes! Any drive macOS can mount works with SD Studio.