Basic search: finding files by name

Basic search in Polimake lets you find images by searching by file name, similar to how you'd search for files on your computer. Although Polimake offers intelligent AI-powered search, sometimes traditional search by name is exactly what you need.

This guide will show you how to use basic search, what it can and can't do, and when it's the best option for finding your images.

What is basic search?

Basic search looks at:

• File names: Finds images whose name contains the text you're searching for
• Exact matches: Searches for the text exactly as you type it
• Quick search: Instant results without AI processing

It's the most direct way to find an image when you (partially) remember what the file is called.

How to use basic search

Accessing search

To start searching:

1. Locate the search bar in the top header
2. Click the search field
3. Make sure you're in "Simple" mode (the basic search icon)

Location: The search bar is always visible in the header, centered on desktop and prominent on mobile.

Typing your search

To search:

1. Type the text you want to search for in the file name
2. Press Enter or wait a moment
3. Review the results that appear

Example: If you search for "beach", you'll find all the files whose name contains the word "beach", like "photo-beach-summer.jpg" or "image-beach-sunset.png".

Search features

Basic search:

• Is not case-sensitive: "BEACH" finds the same as "beach"
• Matches partially: "play" will find "playa", "playground", etc.
• Searches across the entire project: It's not limited to the current folder (unless you use filters)

Refining searches

Using specific terms

For more precise results:

• Be specific: "beach-summer-2025" is better than just "beach"
• Use parts of the name: If you remember part of the name, use it
• Combine terms: Multiple words help refine

Example:

• ❌ Broad search: "photo"
• ✅ Specific search: "product-shirt-blue"

Additional filters

Some filters may be available:

• By folder: Limit the search to a specific folder
• By type: Filter by file type
• By date: Search for images uploaded within a date range

Note: The available filters may vary depending on the version of Polimake.

When to use basic search

Advantages

Basic search is best when:

• You remember the name of the file (or part of it)
• You need instant results without waiting for processing
• You're searching for files with descriptive names that follow a pattern
• You want an exact search by specific text

Limitations

Basic search is not ideal when:

• You don't remember the name of the file
• You want to search by visual content (what's in the image)
• You need semantic search (related concepts)
• The file names are generic (IMG_1234.jpg)

Comparison with other search modes

Basic vs. semantic search

Basic search:

• Searches file names
• Fast and instant
• Requires knowing the name

Semantic search:

• Searches by visual content
• Uses AI to understand the image
• Doesn't require knowing the name

When to use each one: Use basic search when you remember the name, and semantic search when you're searching by content.

Switching between modes

To change the search mode:

1. Click the mode icon in the search bar
2. Select "Simple" for basic search
3. Or select "Semantic" or "Reasoned" for AI-powered search

The icons tell you which mode is active.

Best practices

Name files descriptively

To make basic search effective:

• Use descriptive names: "Product-Shirt-Blue.jpg" instead of "IMG_1234.jpg"
• Establish a system: Stay consistent in how you name files
• Include keywords: Add relevant terms to the name

Recommended naming system:

• Format: [Category]-[Description]-[Variant].[ext]
• Example: Product-Shirt-Blue-Front.jpg
• Example: Lifestyle-Summer-Beach-01.jpg

Combine with organization

Basic search works best when:

• Your files are well organized in folders
• You use consistent names following a pattern
• You maintain a logical structure in your projects

Use basic search first

For maximum efficiency:

1. Try basic search first if you remember part of the name
2. If you don't find it, switch to semantic search
3. Combine both methods depending on the situation

Search results

Displaying results

The search results show:

• Thumbnails of the images found
• File names highlighting the searched text
• Location (the folder where the image is)
• Additional information (date, size, etc.)

Navigating results

From the results you can:

• Click to open the image in detail view
• See the location using breadcrumbs or folder information
• Clear the search to return to the normal view

Clearing the search

To return to the normal view:

• Click the "X" in the search bar
• Or delete the text and press Enter
• Or navigate to another folder

FAQ about basic search

Does the search distinguish accents?
It depends on the configuration, but generally "cafe" will find both "café" and "cafe". Check the behavior in your version.

Can I search by file extension?
Yes, you can search for ".jpg" or ".png" to find files of that specific type.

Does the search look in subfolders?
Yes, basic search looks across the entire project, including all folders and subfolders.

Can I use operators like AND or OR?
Basic search generally looks for all the words you type. For more complex searches, consider using semantic search.

Is there a limit on the length of the search?
There's no practical limit, but very long searches can be less effective. Be specific but concise.

Can I save frequent searches?
Currently there's no way to save searches, but you can use the same search each time you need it.

Conclusion

Basic search is your tool for finding images when you remember their names. Although Polimake offers intelligent AI-powered search, sometimes traditional search is exactly what you need.

For more advanced searches, explore semantic search, which finds images by visual content, not just by name.

Next steps

1. Practice searching for images by name
2. Establish a naming system for your files
3. Combine basic search with folder organization
4. Experiment with different search terms
5. Explore semantic search for more advanced cases

Find your images quickly with basic search!