When you use the "Move" function of Motion Explorer, all of your files are transferred from one storage drive to another. The original files are transferred to the destination and no longer reside in their original location. The description in Motion Explorer is updated with the drive letter and path of the new location.
When you use the "Export" function of Motion Explorer, all of your files are bundled into an "Export" file and an associated folder. You have the choice of deleting the raw data on the original computer or keeping both copies, the original and the exported version. If you choose to Keep the raw data, the Location shown in Motion Explorer will be the original path, not the exported path. If you choose to Delete the raw data, the entire file(s) will be deleted from the computer and inside of Motion Explorer. When you "Import" a previous export, the data will be placed back in the original Hierarchy as defined at the time of the Export.
The table below explains some of the differences between the results of a Move and an Export/Import:
| Move | Export | ||
| How does the free Space change on my AD | All data is moved to external drive | Delete on export will free space on AD | Without Delete - Copies exist on AD & external Drive/another computer |
| What can I Access from my AD | Original recordings as shown in the ME tree * | If saved, duplicate hierarchy tree and duplicate data | If deleted, no hierarchy exists any longer on AD |
| How many Steps to make the transfer | 1 - External Drive path will be shown in ME ** | 2 - Export from AD Import to Analysis Only | |
| How does my Hierarchy look / How to keep things Organized | Location changed to "D:\" */** | Remains the same after import | |
| What level of my Hierarchy tree can I move | Minimum is by Collection | Pick and choose recordings | |
| What can I see at the destination | AD- original hierarchy retained ** | Original hierarchy following an import | |
| Possible use cases | Free up space on AD 'Archive' with 'access'* | Archive, Completely move to Analysis Computer | |
| Acquisition Device = "AD" | * - Access speed/capabilities depend on the speed of the external drive and connection. | ||
| Motion Explorer = "ME" | ** Files need to be manually added to appear in a Hierarchy of Analysis Installation | ||
Related Articles:
How do I "Move" files using Motion Explorer?
How do I "Export" then "Import" files using Motion Explorer?