Direct references vs Asset references

Probably a stupid question, but here goes. I'm new to Addressables, trying to figure it out.

When I mark an asset as Addressable and add it to a group in the Addressables window, it gets bundled in a Asset Bundle, right? I can now reference that asset using either a direct reference or an Asset Reference.

Say I make a build of the game and use a direct reference to instantiate the asset. This will work even if I delete the Asset Bundle that I put the asset into. Does that mean that the asset is stored both inside and outside of the bundle? (Because how else would the direct reference still function?)

TL;DR: Why do direct references still work if the Asset Bundles containing the referenced assets aren't loaded? Does that mean that the asset is stored both inside and outside of the bundle?

 

The build will duplicate the asset, one found in the asset bundle, the other found in the base build.

 

Hmmm ok thank you, so what would the correct workflow be in order to prevent it being duplicated? If I simply don't make a direct reference ANYWHERE, does that prevent it from being placed in the base build?

 

If you don't have a direct reference anywhere, it will solve the duplication problem.
There's also an automated solution: https://docs.unity3d.com/Packages/c...ycle.html#check-duplicate-bundle-dependencies

I personally am having some issues with the latter, it takes a very very long time to solve the solution, and it seems quite buggy. But it's there.

 

Alright that's good to know, thank you!