Search your folders with Polimake Desktop

Polimake Desktop searches all the folders you've given it, plus the libraries in your account that you bring to this computer. Search runs on your computer, over the index Polimake built when it read your folders, so it's fast and works even without internet.

Open search

There are three ways:

• Click Search in the sidebar.
• In Libraries, just start typing: search opens with what you typed.
• Use the Search box at the top of Libraries.

Results appear as you type. If you don't know where to start, search suggests Search examples, such as "sunset at the beach" or "photos of people".

What it finds

Without doing anything else, Polimake searches by:

• The name of the file and its folders.
• The tags for what's in the picture, which it adds by looking at your photos and videos with its vision model.

So a search can find both a file whose name matches and a photo called IMG_2041.jpg that shows what you typed, once Polimake has tagged it. The tags themselves are in Spanish; to search in English by what's in the picture, turn on the option below.

Search by what's in the picture

To describe what you're looking for in your own words, in any language, turn on Search by what's in the picture. It's optional because it takes several hundred MB.

1. Open Settings (the gear at the bottom of the sidebar) and go to Models.
2. In the Semantic group, find Search by what's in the picture and click Download.
3. Wait for it to finish. From then on you can type things like "girl in a yellow raincoat" or "aerial shot of a city at night".

If you search for something and nothing comes up because this model is missing, search tells you and offers Download it in Settings.

The model runs on your computer: your photos aren't uploaded to search them.

Filter the results

• Content type: the button next to the search box. Tick one or several types or go back to All.
• From what you typed: if you type "videos of the beach", Polimake understands you want videos and applies the filter on its own.
• Filters: the button tells you how many you have on (for example, Filters · 2). Click Remove filters to see everything again.

To see results as a grid or list, or change the order, use the Views menu, just like in the explorer.

Search a specific library

If you have libraries from your account under Shared, type @ in the search box and pick one. Search is limited to that library. You can pick several.

Inside a folder, the box at the top says Search this folder… and only searches there.

When nothing comes up

• Nothing for "…": try other words, or fewer.
• Nothing matches this combination: you have filters or libraries selected that leave the results out. Click Remove filters and projects.
• Still reading "…": Polimake hasn't finished reading that folder. What you're looking for may be in the part that's left.

Frequently asked questions

Does search work without internet?

Yes, for your folders: the index and the models are on your computer.

Do I need to download anything to search?

Not to search by name, folder and tags. To describe what's in the picture in your own words, download Search by what's in the picture in Settings › Models.

Why can't it find a photo I know I have?

Polimake may still be reading or tagging it: you'll see it in the activity at the bottom of the sidebar. Also check that its folder is added in Libraries.

Can I search inside just one folder?

Yes. Open the folder and use the Search this folder… box at the top.