Keyboard shortcuts and productivity tips

Working efficiently in Polimake isn't just about knowing the features, but also about using shortcuts and techniques that speed up your workflow. This guide will show you the available keyboard shortcuts and productivity tips to maximize your efficiency.

Learning these shortcuts and techniques can make a big difference in how quickly and efficiently you work with your images.

Main keyboard shortcuts

Navigation

Arrow keys:

• Left/right arrow: Navigate between images (in detail view or gallery when applicable)
• Up/down arrow: Navigate vertically in some views

Escape:

• Escape: Close dialogs, modals, or detail view
• Go back: Exit current views or actions

Enter:

• Enter: Confirm search, run the selected action
• In search: Run the search when you press Enter

Selection

Ctrl/Cmd + A:

• Select all: Selects all visible images in the current folder
• Useful for: Batch actions on all images

Ctrl/Cmd + click:

• Multiple selection: Adds/removes individual images from the selection
• Useful for: Selecting specific, non-adjacent images

Shift + click:

• Range selection: Selects all images between two points
• Useful for: Selecting groups of consecutive images

Quick actions

Escape:

• Cancel: Cancels actions in progress, closes dialogs
• Exit: Exits special modes or views

Delete/Backspace (when applicable):

• Delete selection: May delete selected images (with confirmation)
• Double-check before using to avoid accidental deletions

Note: Specific shortcuts may vary depending on your version of Polimake. Some may not be available in all versions.

Productivity tips

Efficient organization

Set up your structure first:

• Create your folder structure before uploading images
• Plan your organization before getting started
• Save time by not having to reorganize later

Use descriptive names:

• Name files so that basic search works
• Set conventions and follow them consistently
• Make it easier to find images later

Organize as you upload:

• Upload directly to the correct folders whenever possible
• Use drag & drop with your folder structure
• Avoid having to move lots of images afterward

Efficient search

Combine search methods:

• Start with basic search if you remember the name
• Switch to semantic search if basic search doesn't find it
• Use reasoned search for specific, complex queries

Refine searches progressively:

• Start broad and refine based on results
• Use more specific terms if there are too many results
• Combine with filters when available

Take advantage of AI tags:

• Automatically generated tags improve search
• Search using concepts from the tags
• Don't rely on file names alone

Working with multiple images

Strategic multiple selection:

• Use the drag box for visual groups
• Use Ctrl/Cmd + click for specific selections
• Combine methods depending on the situation

Batch actions:

• Move multiple images at once
• Delete entire groups when appropriate
• Organize efficiently with multiple selection

Organize in batches:

• Work with groups of related images
• Fully organize one group before moving to the next
• More efficient than organizing image by image

Optimized workflow

Upload and organize in one step:

• Upload directly to the correct folders
• Use your folder structure as you upload
• Minimize later reorganization

Review and adjust tags:

• Review automatically generated tags
• Add tags specific to your industry
• Improve future search with accurate tags

Keep things tidy regularly:

• Review projects periodically
• Delete obsolete content regularly
• Keep only what you need active

Common workflows

Workflow: Upload and organize

1. Create your folder structure first
2. Upload images directly to the appropriate folders
3. Review the automatically generated tags
4. Adjust the organization if necessary
5. Add manual tags for specific information

Time saved: Organizing as you upload saves significant time compared to uploading everything and organizing afterward.

Workflow: Search and use

1. Use semantic search with a natural description
2. Review the top results (they tend to be the most relevant)
3. Refine your search if you need more precision
4. Use detail view to verify before using
5. Download or use the selected image

Efficiency: Semantic search finds images even when you don't know the file names.

Workflow: Periodic cleanup

1. Review projects monthly or quarterly
2. Identify obsolete or completed content
3. Move to archive or delete as appropriate
4. Update the information for active projects
5. Keep your organization consistent

Benefit: Regular cleanup keeps your library useful and easy to navigate.

Advanced tips

Take advantage of AI analysis

For improved search:

• Generated tags make semantic search more effective
• Search using concepts from the tags, not just names
• Combine semantic search with specific tags

For discovery:

• Explore related images using similar tags
• Discover content you didn't know you had
• Find connections between different images

Optimize for your industry

Specific tags:

• Add tags specific to your industry or business
• Use terminology your team understands
• Complement automatic analysis with domain knowledge

Tailored structure:

• Organize according to your specific workflow
• Create a structure that reflects how you work
• Adjust as your needs evolve

Efficient collaboration

Communicate conventions:

• Establish and share organization conventions
• Document how to name files and folders
• Make sure the team follows the same practices

Appropriate permissions:

• Give each collaborator only the permissions they need
• Review permissions regularly
• Maintain control while still allowing collaboration

Limitations and considerations

Available shortcuts

Shortcuts may vary:

• By the version of Polimake you use
• By browser (some shortcuts are browser-specific)
• By context (some shortcuts only work in certain views)

Recommendation: Experiment to find out which shortcuts work in your specific version.

Productivity vs. learning

Strike a balance:

• Learn gradually: Don't try to memorize all the shortcuts at once
• Use what you need: Focus on the shortcuts you actually use frequently
• Experiment: Try different methods to find what works for you

Productivity FAQ

Are there more shortcuts available?
It depends on the version. Some versions may have additional shortcuts. Check the documentation specific to your version, or experiment.

Can I customize shortcuts?
Currently, shortcuts aren't customizable in most versions. Use the available shortcuts as they are.

Do the shortcuts work on mobile?
Keyboard shortcuts require a physical keyboard. On mobile, use touch gestures and the interface controls.

Is there a full-screen mode?
Some versions may have a full-screen mode for detail view. Check whether it's available in your version.

Can I speed up image loading?
Performance depends on your connection and the size of the images. Use optimized views and avoid loading too many large images at once.

Are there ways to automate tasks?
Currently, Polimake focuses on a manual interface. For advanced automation, contact support to see what options are available.

Conclusion

Mastering keyboard shortcuts and productivity techniques can make a big difference in your efficiency with Polimake. While not every shortcut may be available in every version, the ones that are can significantly speed up your workflow.

Combine these tips with a solid understanding of the main features to work as efficiently as possible.

Next steps

1. Practice the basic shortcuts for navigation and selection
2. Set up your optimized workflow
3. Experiment with different methods to find what works best
4. Share tips with your team to improve collaboration
5. Review and adjust your workflow regularly as you learn

Work more efficiently with Polimake!

"