Gallery view: Standard vs. Masonry

Polimake offers two main views for displaying your images: Standard (grid) and Masonry (Pinterest-style). Each has its advantages and is better for different situations and work styles.

This guide will help you understand the differences between the two views and when to use each one to maximize your productivity and enjoyment when working with your images.

What are gallery views?

Gallery views determine how your images are displayed:

• Layout: How the images are arranged on screen
• Navigation: How you move between images
• Density: How many images you see at once
• Experience: How you interact with your library

Choosing the right view can make a big difference in your efficiency and satisfaction at work.

Standard view (Grid)

Features

The Standard view shows:

• Uniform grid: All images in a grid at the same size
• Traditional pagination: You navigate through pages with buttons or numbers
• Structured view: Clear, predictable organization
• Easy navigation: Precise control over which page you see

Advantages

Clear organization:

• Easy to scan visually
• Predictable structure
• Ideal for finding specific images

Precise control:

• You know exactly which page you're on
• You can jump to specific pages
• Controlled navigation

Better for organizing:

• Ideal when you're organizing images
• Easy to compare images side by side
• Better for precise multiple selection

When to use Standard

Use the Standard view when:

• You're organizing images into folders
• You need precise navigation to specific pages
• You want to compare images side by side
• You work with multiple selection frequently
• You prefer structure over visual discovery

Example: You're organizing 200 product images into folders. You use Standard to clearly see which images are on each page and move them efficiently.

Masonry view (Pinterest-style)

Features

The Masonry view shows:

• Fluid layout: Images of different heights arranged in columns
• Infinite scroll: Scroll down to load more images
• Variable density: More images visible at once
• Visual discovery: Ideal for exploring and discovering

Advantages

Visual discovery:

• See many images quickly
• Smooth exploration without interruptions
• Ideal for finding inspiration

Better use of space:

• Makes better use of vertical space
• Shows more images without horizontal scrolling
• Adapts the size to the content

Immersive experience:

• Continuous flow without pagination
• Fewer interruptions while browsing
• More like modern social media

When to use Masonry

Use the Masonry view when:

• You're exploring your library
• You're looking for inspiration or ideas
• You want to see many images quickly
• You prefer scrolling over pagination
• You work with images of different proportions

Example: You're looking for an image for a project and want to quickly explore many options. You use Masonry to see as many images as possible while you scroll.

Direct comparison

Navigation

Standard:

• Pagination with buttons
• You can jump to specific pages
• You know how many pages there are in total

Masonry:

• Infinite scroll
• Automatic loading as you scroll
• There's no concept of "pages"

Image density

Standard:

• Fixed number of images per page
• All the same size
• Predictable structure

Masonry:

• More images visible at once
• Variable sizes based on proportion
• Makes better use of space

Use cases

Standard is better for:

• Organization and management
• Multiple selection
• Precise navigation
• Structured work

Masonry is better for:

• Exploration and discovery
• Visual search
• Inspiration
• Immersive viewing

How to switch views

Switching between views

To switch views:

1. Look for the view menu in the header (grid or list icon)
2. Click to open the options
3. Select "Standard" or "Masonry"
4. The view changes immediately

Location: The view control is typically in the top header, near the search bar.

Saved preferences

Your view preference:

• Is saved for your session
• May persist between sessions depending on the configuration
• You can change it at any time

Best practices

Use Standard for organizing

When you're organizing:

• Switch to Standard for better control
• Use pagination to navigate systematically
• Take advantage of the structure for precise organization

Use Masonry for exploring

When you're exploring:

• Switch to Masonry for visual discovery
• Use scrolling to see many images quickly
• Let yourself be inspired by the fluid layout

Switch as needed

Don't limit yourself to one view:

• Switch depending on the task you're performing
• Standard for organizing, Masonry for exploring
• Experiment to find your preference

View-specific tips

Optimizing Standard

For a better experience in Standard:

• Use pagination to navigate efficiently
• Take advantage of multiple selection with the clear structure
• Organize while you navigate page by page

Optimizing Masonry

For a better experience in Masonry:

• Scroll smoothly for progressive loading
• Go with the flow of visual discovery
• Use it for fast visual search

Limitations and considerations

Performance

Standard:

• Loads full pages at a time
• Can be slower with many images
• Better predictable performance

Masonry:

• Progressive loading as you scroll
• Can be smoother with many images
• Requires a stable connection for continuous loading

Mobile devices

On mobile:

• Masonry usually works better thanks to natural scrolling
• Standard may require more taps to navigate
• Both work but the experience may vary

FAQ about views

Can I switch views in the middle of a session?
Yes, you can switch between views at any time. The change is instant.

Is my preference saved?
It depends on the configuration, but typically your preference is saved for your current session and may persist between sessions.

Can I use different views in different projects?
Currently the view preference is global, but you can change it depending on the project you're working in.

Is there a performance difference between views?
There may be minor differences. Standard loads full pages, while Masonry loads progressively. Both are optimized for good performance.

Can I customize the image size in Standard?
The size in Standard is optimized for a balance between visibility and density. Zoom options may be available depending on the version.

Does Masonry show all images or is there a limit?
Masonry loads images progressively as you scroll. Technically it can show all your images, loading them as you need them.

Conclusion

Both Standard and Masonry have their place in your workflow. Standard is ideal for organization and structured work, while Masonry is perfect for exploration and visual discovery.

Experiment with both views and switch depending on the task you're performing. The flexibility to choose is one of Polimake's advantages.

Once you feel comfortable with the views, explore the detail view to see complete information about each image.

Next steps

1. Try both views with your projects
2. Identify when each one works best for you
3. Switch depending on the task you're performing
4. Experiment with different situations
5. Find your personal preference

Find the view that best fits your work style!