The Desktop application is used for setting up the communication between Studio and other applications and for controlling some of the features of the Desktop app itself.
Figure: The Settings window of the Desktop application.
It can be used for the following features:
- Defining which version of InDesign should be used for opening layouts.
- Defining if Print articles should be opened in Studio or in InCopy.
- Automatically opening all types of files in their native application .
- Setting up a connection to Studio Server through a proxy server.
- Automatically downloading a file on a user's system when it is routed (Smart Caching).
For more information about these features, see:
- Configuring the opening of files outside Studio
- Connecting the Studio Desktop application to Studio Server through a proxy server
- Automatically downloading a routed file in Studio
- Automatically downloading a routed file in Smart Connection
This article describes how to install, access, configure, and update the Desktop app.
Requirements
Using the Desktop app and its features requires the following:
Support for operating systems and support for Adobe InCopy and InDesign:
- See the Compatibility Matrix.
For use with Studio:
- Google Chrome with the Desktop application extension installed.
Installation
The Desktop application comes in 2 parts:
- The Desktop application itself
- An extension for Google Chrome
Installing the Desktop application
Step 1. Download the file named Studio Desktop App from the Release announcement of Studio and unpack it.
Steps for WindowsThe Desktop app can be installed manually or silently. Manual installation (for end users) Run the installer and wait for it to complete. Silent installation (for system administrators) Use the following command to perform the installation: Note: The following example assumes that the command is run from the same folder in which the installer is placed and that version 4.0.0 is installed. Adjust this when necessary.
|
Steps for macOSDouble-click the installer and in the installation window that appears, drag the Desktop application to the Applications folder. |
Installing the Google Chrome extension
The Google Chrome extension is installed by launching the Desktop application.
Step 1. Do one of the following:
- On macOS: Run the application from the Applications folder.
- On Windows: Run the application from the Desktop shortcut or the Start menu.
The following takes place:
- The Desktop application is added to the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (macOS)
- Google Chrome is opened
- The Web store and the extension for the Desktop application is accessed
Figure: The extension for the Desktop application in the Chrome Web store.
Step 2. Click Add to Chrome and confirm that you want to add it.
The extension is added to Chrome and appears in the toolbar.
Figure: The extension added to Chrome.
Proxy server connection
(Optional, only when a proxy server is used for connecting to Studio Server) Set the proxy settings as described in Connecting the Studio Desktop application to Studio Server through a proxy server.
Accessing the Desktop app
Access the Desktop app by clicking the Desktop app icon in the menu bar (macOS, see also additional information below) or in the system tray (Windows).
From here, you can:
- Pause Smart Caching
- Open the Download Progress window
- Access the Settings
- Quit the application
Note: When an old version of the Desktop app is installed, the Settings window will appear immediately after clicking the icon.
Accessing the Desktop app icon on macOS
Accessing the Desktop app icon can sometimes be problematic on macOS due to the limited space in which icons are shown, especially on macBooks where the camera divides the menu bar.
Some possible workarounds are the following:
- Switch to a program that shows few menu items such as Finder, so that more icons are displayed.
- Move the Studio Desktop app icon closer to the clock by dragging the icon while hold Cmd.
Note: This is a temporary solution as the order is reset again when the program is closed and opened again.
- Enlarge the display area (resolution) in System settings > Displays.
- Remove menu bar icons that are not (often) used by pulling down on the icon while holding Cmd.
- Use an additional tool to hide unused icons or to customize the menu bar, such as the following:
- Bartender (paid)
- Ice by jordanbaird (free)
- Hidden Bar by dwarvesf (free)
Settings
To use the Desktop application, it needs to be set up. This is done through the following windows:
- General settings
- Smart Caching connections
- Updates
Each is explained below.
Figure: The Settings window of the Desktop application.
General settings
| Setting | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| InDesign version | Set the version of InDesign in which the layouts should be opened. | |
| Article editor | Choose the article editor to use for opening articles: the Studio Print editor (default setting) or a version of InCopy. | |
| Language | Set the language of the Desktop app. | |
| Socket port |
For use with Studio (Optional) Set the socket port through which the communication between the Chrome extension and the Desktop app should take place. Note: You can also set this by clicking the Chrome extension icon in Chrome. For use with Studio for InDesign (Optional) Set the socket port through which the communication between Studio for InDesign and the Desktop app should take place. |
|
| Cache size |
Set the maximum disk space used for caching files.1
|
|
| Cache period | Set the maximum number of days that files are kept in the cache. | |
| Clear cached files | Clears the files that are currently stored in the cache.1 | |
| Start application when starting up your system |
(Optional but recommended) Define that the Desktop App should be launched on system start-up (this is the default setting). |
1 Cached files are stored in the following location:
- For Windows: C:\Users\USER_FOLDER\AppData\Local\Content Station\cache
- For macOS: Users/USER_FOLDER/Library/Application Support/Content Station/cache
Smart Caching connections
Smart Caching makes it possible to automatically download a file to a user's system when the file is routed to that user.
The Smart Caching connections window shows all instances of Studio Server to which a connection has been made for Smart Caching (by logging in when first using Smart Caching). The settings makes it possible to enable or disable Smart Caching, disconnect or re-connect from an instance of Studio Server, or remove the Studio Server instance completely.
For more information, see Automatically downloading a routed file in Studio.
Updates
Whenever a new version of the Desktop app is available, the update can be automatically downloaded and installed. This process is managed in the Updates window. The update process can be run fully automatically or initiated manually.
|
Note for system administrators: The availability of the Updates window is controlled through the following setting in the Management Console of Studio: Features > Desktop app > Disable the automatic updating of the Desktop app By default, the option is enabled (meaning: the Updates window is available for users to update their Desktop app with). When disabled, the Updates window does not appear; any updates need to be downloaded outside of the Desktop app and installed manually. |
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Update automatically |
Enable to automatically update the Desktop app when a new version is available. When disabled, updating is done manually by clicking Update now. |
For details about the update process, see Updating the Desktop app below.
Updating the Desktop app
When a new version of the Desktop app is available, the currently installed version can be updated. The process can be done automatically or manually and depends on the version of the Desktop app that is used.
Automatic installation
Note: This method can be used when 'Enable automatic updates' is enabled (see Updates above).
When logging in to Studio while the Desktop app is running, a check is done to see if a new version of the Desktop app is available. When this is the case, the following takes place:
- A notification is displayed through the notification system of Windows or macOS. Clicking the notification brings up the Updates window in the Desktop app.
- An icon is shown for the Updates option in the menu in the app.
The Updates window shows the version number of the currently installed version and (when available) the version number of the new version.
When Update automatically was enabled, the new version is automatically downloaded and installed. When this option is not enabled, the download and installation process needs to be manually started by clicking Update now.
When the installation process is completed, restart the Desktop app by clicking Restart now.
Manual installation
Note: This method is used when automatic updating is not enabled (see Updates above).
Step 1. Quit the Desktop app by right-clicking the icon in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (macOS) and choosing Quit.
Step 2. Install the new version by following the general installation steps. During this process, overwrite the already installed version when asked to.
Step 3. Start Chrome and start the Desktop app. It will connect to Chrome and detect that the Chrome extension is already installed; it will not offer to install it.
Upgrading the Chrome extension
No steps are required for upgrading the Chrome extension, it is automatically updated by Chrome.
Configuration files
The configuration files of the Desktop application can be found in the following locations:
Tip: Use this information for example to place a default set of configuration files on the systems of all users.
- Windows: C:\Users\USER_FOLDER\AppData\Local\Content Station
- macOS: /Users/USER_FOLDER/Library/Application Support/Content Station
Revisions
- 26 January 2026: Added section 'Accessing the Desktop app icon on macOS'.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.