LOFTai › Getting Started

Virtual & Local Modes

Overview

Each project has a file mode that decides where its files live and how you reach them. You set it in Project Settings (General tab), and it's also chosen the first time you create a project.

Virtual (cloud)

Files are stored and served from the Loft server
Works in any browser — no client software required
Generation runs on Loft's model keys and is billed to your credit balance
Libraries in the sidebar map to your project's asset categories

Local

Files live in a folder on your computer or a shared drive
Requires the LoftDesktop app, which serves file bytes and thumbnails from that folder
A "Files" entry appears under LIBRARIES to browse the folder directly (see the Files Browser topic)
You can generate on your own provider keys (BYOK), or have the server generate and deliver results back into the local folder
Configure the drive path (e.g. Z:\Projects\PROJECT0002) and the publish folder name (default "pub") in Settings

Note: Local mode needs LoftDesktop running. In a plain browser, a Local project's files won't be reachable.

Note: Inside LoftDesktop, the new-window button next to Back/Forward (or Ctrl+N, ⌘N on Mac) opens another app window on the same page, signed in as you. Links that open a new tab still go to your web browser.

Note: LoftDesktop updates itself: new versions download in the background and apply the next time you start the app. An "Update ready" button appears in the header when one is waiting; your account menu shows the version and has "Check for updates".

Choosing at first run

When you have no project yet, the onboarding screen asks "How do you want to start?" with two cards — "Work with local files" (point Loft at a folder; requires LoftDesktop) and "Create a virtual project" (a cloud project you build in the browser). In a plain browser the local-files card links to the desktop Downloads page (Portal → your account → Download Desktop) rather than being disabled. You can change a project's mode later in Settings.