Basic navigation: understanding the interface

Understanding the Polimake interface is essential to working efficiently with your images. The platform is designed to be intuitive, but knowing each area and its features will help you get the most out of everything available.

This guide will take you on a complete tour of the interface, explaining each section and how to use it to navigate and manage your projects and images.

Overall interface structure

Polimake has a structure of three main areas:

• Left sidebar: Project and folder navigation
• Central area: Image gallery and main content
• Top header: Search, actions, and controls

This layout lets you quickly access your projects, view your images, and perform actions without losing context.

Left sidebar

The sidebar is your main entry point to all your projects and folders.

Project list

At the top of the sidebar you'll see:

• All your projects listed vertically
• Name and cover of each project for visual identification
• A visual indicator of the currently selected project

Features:

• Click a project: Opens the project and shows its content
• Hover: Shows additional options (edit, delete, collaborators)
• Scroll: If you have many projects, you can scroll through the list

Folder navigation

Below the project list, when you have a project open, you'll see:

• The folder tree of the current project
• A hierarchical structure showing folders and subfolders
• Expandable navigation to explore the full structure

Features:

• Click a folder: Navigates into the folder
• Expand/collapse: Shows or hides subfolders
• Visual indicator: Shows which folder you're currently viewing

User profile

At the bottom of the sidebar:

• Your profile photo and name
• A user menu with settings options
• Quick access to your profile and settings

Central area: Gallery

The central area is where you view and work with your images.

Project view

When you're on the main project view:

• A grid of projects showing all your projects
• Project covers as thumbnails
• Basic information (name, description if visible)

Gallery view

When you're inside a project or folder:

• An image gallery in grid or masonry format
• Image thumbnails with basic information
• Pagination or infinite scroll depending on the selected view

Available views

Polimake offers two view types:

Standard view (Grid):

• Images in a uniform grid
• Traditional pagination
• Ideal for precise navigation and organization

Masonry view:

• A Pinterest-style layout with variable heights
• Infinite scroll
• Ideal for visual exploration and discovery

You can switch between views using the menu in the header.

Top header

The header contains the main tools for working with your images.

Breadcrumbs

On the left side of the header:

• A navigation path showing your current location
• Clickable links to go back to previous levels
• Example: Projects > My Project > Folder > Subfolder

Use: Click any part of the breadcrumb to navigate directly to that level.

Search bar

In the center of the header (on desktop):

• A search field to find images
• Mode icons to switch between simple, semantic, or advanced search
• Smart search that searches by content, not just by name

Features:

• Type and press Enter: Runs the search
• Click the icons: Changes the search mode
• Contextual search: Searches within the current project/folder

Actions and controls

On the right side of the header:

• Collaborator list: Shows who has access to the project
• View menu: Switch between Standard and Masonry
• Add button: Upload new images or create folders
• Options menu: Access to additional settings

Mobile navigation

On mobile devices, the interface adapts:

Mobile sidebar

• A floating button in the lower-left corner
• A slide-out menu that opens from the left
• The same content as the desktop sidebar

Mobile header

• Prominent search at the top
• Compact breadcrumbs to save space
• Action buttons that are accessible but optimized

Useful navigation shortcuts

Keyboard navigation

• Arrows: Navigate between images (where applicable)
• Escape: Close dialogs or go back
• Ctrl/Cmd + K: Open quick search (if available)

Mouse navigation

• Left click: Select and navigate
• Right click: Context menu with options
• Drag & drop: Drag images between folders

Additional areas

Detail view

When you click an image:

• A full view of the image
• A side panel with information and analysis
• Navigation between related images
• Actions such as download, delete, move

Dialogs and modals

Several dialogs appear for specific actions:

• Upload images: A dialog to select and upload files
• Create folder: A form for a new folder
• Settings: A panel of project options
• Collaborators: Permission and access management

Navigation tips

Organize your sidebar

• Name projects clearly so you can find them quickly
• Use distinctive covers for visual identification
• Keep a consistent folder structure

Make the most of breadcrumbs

• Navigate quickly by clicking previous levels
• Understand your location within the project structure
• Return easily to the project root

Use search efficiently

• Search by content instead of just by name
• Switch search modes depending on what you need to find
• Use contextual search within specific folders

Navigation FAQ

Can I customize the sidebar?
Currently the sidebar has a fixed structure, but you can organize your projects and folders to optimize your navigation.

How do I switch between projects quickly?
Click the project directly in the sidebar, or use the breadcrumbs to navigate.

Can I hide the sidebar?
In some views, the sidebar can be collapsed. Look for the toggle button in the interface.

How do I get back to the main view?
Click the Polimake logo or "Projects" in the breadcrumb to return to the main view.

Is the interface different on mobile?
The interface adapts automatically to mobile devices, keeping all features but optimized for touch screens.

Can I change the thumbnail size?
The thumbnail size adjusts automatically based on the selected view (Standard or Masonry).

Conclusion

Understanding Polimake's navigation is essential to working efficiently. With the sidebar for quick access, the central gallery for viewing, and the header for actions, you have everything you need within reach.

Once you're comfortable with basic navigation, you can explore more advanced features like uploading images or semantic search.

Next steps

1. Explore the sidebar and get familiar with your projects
2. Navigate between folders to understand the structure
3. Try the different views (Standard and Masonry)
4. Use the breadcrumbs to navigate quickly
5. Experiment with search to find images

You now know the fundamentals of navigating Polimake!