Uploading images: methods and best practices

Uploading images is one of the most common actions in Polimake. The platform offers multiple methods to add images to your projects, from traditional button-based uploads to intuitive drag and drop.

This guide will show you all the available methods for uploading images, how the validation and processing flow works, and the best practices for keeping your library organized right from the start.

Upload methods

Polimake offers three main ways to upload images:

Method 1: Upload button

The most traditional and direct method:

1. Navigate to the project or folder where you want to upload images
2. Click the "Upload" button or "+" in the header
3. Select the images from the file dialog
4. Confirm the upload

Advantages:

• Familiar and direct
• Lets you select multiple files at once
• Works in every browser

When to use it: When you want to upload specific images in a controlled way.

Method 2: Drag & Drop

The fastest and most visual method:

1. Open the folder on your computer that contains the images
2. Select the images you want to upload
3. Drag them over the Polimake area
4. Drop them when you see the destination area highlighted

Advantages:

• Very fast and visual
• You can drag multiple files
• Immediate visual feedback

When to use it: When you have images organized in folders on your computer and want to upload them quickly.

Method 3: Bulk upload with folder structure

To preserve your folder organization:

1. Select a complete folder from your computer
2. Drag it over Polimake
3. The structure is recreated automatically in Polimake

Advantages:

• Keeps your original organization
• Creates folders automatically
• Ideal for migrating entire libraries

When to use it: When you want to preserve the folder structure from your file system.

Upload process

Step 1: File selection

When you select files to upload:

• Supported formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF (and other common image formats)
• Multiple files: You can select several files at once
• Initial validation: Files are validated before the upload begins

Limits:

• Maximum size per file: Varies by your plan
• Number of files: You can upload multiple files in a single operation

Step 2: Validation

Before uploading, Polimake validates:

• File type: Verifies that it's a valid image
• Size: Confirms it doesn't exceed the limits
• Integrity: Ensures the file isn't corrupted

If any file fails validation, you'll see an error message indicating the problem.

Step 3: Upload progress

During the upload you'll see:

• A progress bar for each file
• A counter of completed vs. total files
• The status of each image (uploading, processing, completed)

Progress panel: A floating panel shows the status of all uploads in progress, letting you keep working while they finish.

Step 4: Automatic processing

After the upload, each image is processed automatically:

• Thumbnail generation: Thumbnails are created for quick viewing
• Metadata extraction: Technical information is read (dimensions, date, etc.)
• AI analysis: Tags and descriptions are generated automatically
• Optimization: Optimized versions are prepared for different uses

This process can take a few seconds or minutes depending on the size and number of images.

Best practices

Organize before uploading

Name your files descriptively:

• ❌ Avoid: IMG_2023_07_15.jpg, DSC_1234.jpg
• ✅ Better: Product-Shirt-Blue-Front.jpg, Client-ABC-Summer-Campaign-01.jpg

Organize into logical folders:

• Group related images together
• Use clear folder names
• Keep a consistent structure

During the upload

Upload in manageable batches:

• Don't upload hundreds of images at once
• Organize into batches of 20-50 images
• This makes tracking easier and reduces errors

Check the destination:

• Confirm you're in the correct project/folder
• Use breadcrumbs to verify your location
• Review before confirming the upload

After the upload

Review the results:

• Verify that all images uploaded correctly
• Review the automatically generated tags
• Adjust the organization if needed

Organize right away:

• Move images into the appropriate folders
• Rename if necessary (when the feature is available)
• Add additional notes or descriptions

Validations and common errors

Invalid files

If you try to upload a file that isn't an image:

• Message: "Only images are allowed"
• Solution: Verify that the file is JPG, PNG, WebP, or another supported image format

Files that are too large

If a file exceeds the maximum size:

• Message: "The file is too large"
• Solution: Compress the image or use a lower-resolution version

Network errors

If the connection is interrupted during the upload:

• Behavior: Files that already uploaded are saved, and the pending ones are marked as failed
• Solution: Retry the upload for the failed files

Duplicate files

If you upload the same file twice:

• Behavior: Polimake may allow duplicates or detect them, depending on the configuration
• Solution: Review before uploading to avoid unnecessary duplicates

Advanced tips

Bulk uploading

To upload many images:

1. Organize first on your computer
2. Use folder structure to keep things organized
3. Upload in batches for better control
4. Monitor progress using the uploads panel

Migrating existing libraries

If you're migrating from another system:

1. Keep the original folder structure
2. Upload by project or main category
3. Verify integrity after each batch
4. Take advantage of AI analysis to improve organization

Optimizing before uploading

For faster uploads:

• Compress large images before uploading
• Use efficient formats (WebP whenever possible)
• Remove unnecessary metadata if you don't need it

FAQ about uploading images

How long does it take to upload an image?
It depends on the file size and your internet connection. Small images (< 5MB) usually upload in seconds, while very large images can take minutes.

Can I cancel an upload in progress?
Yes, you can cancel individual uploads from the progress panel. Images that already uploaded are kept.

What happens if I close the browser during the upload?
Images that already uploaded are saved, but those that were in progress may not complete. It's best to wait for the upload to finish.

Can I upload images from my phone?
Yes, Polimake works on mobile devices. You can upload images from your phone's gallery using the same process.

Are images compressed when uploaded?
Polimake keeps the originals but generates optimized versions for viewing. The originals are stored for later download.

Can I upload images in RAW format?
Currently Polimake focuses on common image formats. RAW formats may not be supported depending on the version.

Conclusion

Uploading images to Polimake is a straightforward process with multiple options to fit your workflow. Whether you use the traditional button, drag & drop, or upload entire folder structures, the process is designed to be fast and efficient.

Once your images are uploaded, the next step is to organize them into folders to keep your library structured and easy to navigate.

Next steps

1. Choose an upload method that fits your workflow
2. Organize your files before uploading
3. Upload your first images and watch the process
4. Review the tags generated automatically by AI
5. Organize into folders to maintain structure

Now you know how to upload images to Polimake efficiently!