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Forum Discussion
Smart Sync and Quick Preview on Mac
Smart Sync causes my quick preview function (spacebar) to not function properly on my Mac. I can't preview thumbnails, or quick preview any videos or photos. Any ideas why this happens?
Likely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.
When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.
Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.
Rich
Super User II
Super User IILikely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.
When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.
Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.
No, unfortunately it turns off Quick Preview (or Quicklook) for all of my files, even local, until I restart my Mac. And if I happen to try to preview an online-only file, it causes it to malfunction again. I can basically just avoid hitting spacebar with online-only files, but it is annoying if I want to use it to see those files' sizes.
The same happens to me. It's very difficult to work like this, and Smart Sync loses a great part of its sense :-(
- Jane
Dropbox Staff
Hello Andrew, did you find a solution to your problem? I am still having the same problem as you.
- Jane👋 Hi to all following this thread! In order to forward you reports to the relevant team of specialized technicians, please let me know if you’d like us to work on that together on this discussion here & I’ll reach out to you on my end on the email address connected to your Forum profile. Thanks in advance & I’m looking forward to hearing back from you!
Rich wrote:
Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.
Not entirely true. In both List and Cover Flow views in the Finder, I am able to see previews of some Online-Only images, but only sporadically. Sometimes a preview will appear, then I'll scroll some more and it will disappear, then I scroll back and it reappears.Also, all of these previews come up as a square cropped thumbnail, not a preview of the entire image with correct aspect ratio.
In my case I am also able to see these same images (whenever they decide to appear) in Quick Look. I am not sure if the previews come up on PSD or other file types, but I do notice it with JPGs.
I am on OSX El Capitan (10.11.6).
I have the exact same problem especially for my camera uploads folder. Some random images keep their thumbnails while other can't. Is this something Dropbox can fix ?
When I upgraded my account to Dropbox professional, I was hoping I could at least see the thumbnails in the smart synced folders and download images as necessary. But not being able to at leas preview a low quality thumbnail defeats the whole purpose for me.
Same here. This is crippling my computer and making it unusable without downloading images to online. It appears to be causing a bug with the Finder in general.
::In Response to the So Called Solution::
Did you not read any of the comments written here?
We are repeatedly describing how you can have a file selected in finder and SEE a preview, then scrolling down through the list, using the down arrows or mouse, and then scrolling back up and the file is no longer previewing. And then no files previewing. Your explanation just ignores everything we are trying to get an answer for. It's very frustrating to get an email notification that this problem has been solved only to find a negligent answer that in truth feels condescending.
- I completely agree, we've been really clear about what the issue is, and time after time, the answer we get doesn't address the actual issue, I think all of us understand that it's not going to preview files you haven't downloaded, but the problem we have is that we lose the preview for files that aren't even on dropbox, it's insulting the way they don't even read our comments.
This is NOT solved. Even downloaded files don't preview when smart sync is on.
- Jane
Ugh, same problem here. Without the use of quick look the whole point of smart snyc is lost - as I've taken to looking through my files online, to then go back and open the files smart synced on my hardrive. Will definitely be downgrading!
- Hi Carly,
Sorry to bother you, did you get an answer to this?
I need some help on this as it is killing my work flow.
To respond in case anyone else is having the same problem as me: since using Smart Sync, I'm also finding that the quick preview function is also being disabled for files that are downloaded to my local drive, and also for files that are on my local drive and NOT saved on DropBox. Any ideas what's the issue?
- Jane
I don't think this solves anything. It just explains why Dropbox isn't working WITH AppleOS anymore.
I've been using both DP & Apple together for a decade. I never used to have this issue with the Previewing of files on a Cloud.
While I now understand what is causing the Preview to stop working I fail to understand how it's my problem. If DP can't fix I'll just move to a different product or build a server.
DP need to understand that they are messing up the workflow for it's users. Fix it or don't. That's fine. But don't claim that it's been fixed when it really hasn't. That is just a lie and will cause loss of faith from your paying (Premium) customers and a devaluation of your brand.
- Jane
Well, here we are at the end of June. A whole year since this problem was originaly reported and it's still an issue. This is absolutely pathetic. If I didnt already have so much backed up on your servers I would be bailing out right now and going somewhere else.
1) Stop lying, this is not a "solved" issue. Unmark it as such. If you cant, then you should definitely develop that capability to prevent false advertising.
2) After enabling smart sync as part of your upgrade I immediatley lost ability to quick look at files. Additionally, my mac's backup jumped from a typical 1-1.5GB backup to a whopping 576GB backup. WTF!?
3) After numerous reboots, qlmanage-r terminal commands, uninstalls and anything else you could imagine I couldnt get quicklook back.
4) I finally was able to disable smart sync (which was a pain in the ass to find). After a reboot, quicklook is back. Thanks to absolutley no help from Bret, the support individual I spoke to on chat online. Through his bad english I could see he had zero comprehension on how my mac worked, so how am I supposed to get support from someone who has no idea how my computer runs to begin with? He also had no idea how to solve the issue and eventually, once he understood my issue, practically just said "just email us" WITH NO HELP WHATSOEVER.
You guys are pathetic. I'm sorry, but no bug should take a year to be resolved, and even then customer support shouldnt be clueless about the issue after it's been around for a whole year. So now my plan (which they just raised the price of) includes smart sync, which disables a more important feaure on my mac so I cant even use it. Awesome! I always loved paying for features I can't use!
im confused. My files are not appearing on my alternative computer at home. I save it to the dropbox file on my computer in the office but when i get home it is not here on this computer at home. For me, that was the point of dropbox so that i could share my files to both my locations. what am i doing wrong ? thanks Linda
lconoval This might be related to your selective sync settings if you're a business user or by just not having those files chosen to store locally on your machine (which may not have those specific files specifically loaded on your other computer). If those files show up in your browser view, not the desktop app, the odds are very good you have some folders deselected on your other machine. Might be worthwhile to start a new ticket with your machine's details rather than posting here to get the help you need— we're all having issues with Quicklook in OSX here.
Mark If anyone is able to mark a problem as a solution, that seems kind of counter productive to the whole purpose of catalogging something as "solved" on a forum, where other's are actively looking for answers. I've just put in a ticket and referenced this forum post, but I'm starting to get a little disheartened with Norah going MIA. This whole forum process just seems incredibly counterintuitive to what a support forum should do— help people find, diagnose and hopefully fix their problems.
Again, everyone, I've got (another) support request in, and if I hear anything worthwhile, I'll post back here.
