Eagle adopts a centralized file management architecture where all assets are imported into Eagle's dedicated library folder (.library), rather than directly linking to external folders. This design is carefully considered, primarily to ensure the integrity, reliability, and ease of use of your asset library.

Design Philosophy

Eagle's file management system is based on the following core principles:

Centralized Management - All assets are stored uniformly in the Eagle library, ensuring data integrity
Reliability First - Avoiding link failures caused by external files being moved or deleted
Consistent User Experience - Providing unified preview, search, and organization experience

To gain deeper insights into Eagle's file management philosophy, you can refer to the following articles:

Advantages of Centralized Storage

While this design requires additional storage space, it brings the following significant advantages:

Simplified Search Process - No need to remember specific file locations
Powerful Search Functionality - Supports fuzzy keyword search for quick asset location
Flexible Classification System - Organize assets through various methods including tags, folders, and smart folders
Avoid Broken Links - Unaffected by external file movements or deletions

Important Notes

When importing into Eagle, files are copied to the library, and original files remain unmodified
Ensure sufficient storage space is reserved for the Eagle library
You can use Eagle's backup and sync features to ensure safe sharing of assets across multiple devices

Why doesn't Eagle support linking external folders?