By default, copying and moving items is blocked. It is only possible to create aliases for dragged elements. To allow copying and moving items, you need to disable the "Only create aliases" option in Preferences.
Collections can contain items (files, folders, applications, etc) or links (aliases) to the items. When dragging items into a Collection keep Cmd, Option (Alt) or both keys pressed to choose between copying, moving or creating aliases of the dragged items:
- keep Option (Alt) key for copy - keep Cmd key for move - keep Option+Cmd key for creating an alias
Eg. when dragging an application from Applications folder an alias will be created by default. But if you keep Cmd key the application will be moved and when you keep Option key the application will be copied. This is exactly the same technique as while dragging items between Finder windows.
The default operation is making an alias of the dragging item.. The exception is Desktop and Downloads folder. From these folders items are moved by default. To change this, keep Option key for copy or Cmd+Option for creating an alias. If you do not want items from Desktop and Downloads folders to be moved, you can change it in the Preferences.
Arrows on aliases icons can be hidden. To do this, open Settings, Items tab and unselect "Display an arrow on alias icons".
As you drag items into your Collection, watch the mouse cursor to see what kind of transfer will be used:
Create alias - no modifier key required (to force an alias to be created, press Option + Cmd while dragging and dropping)
Moving an item (the Cmd key is pressed while dragging and dropping)
Copy an item (Option key is pressed while dragging and dropping)
iCollections also implements spring loaded folders. You can navigate the directory structure while dragging and dropping:
