Image-based search in XnView: feature request

[denvic]

I encountered a task where I need to search using a single photo, meaning I need to find an identical image within a large catalog. I have about 1.5 million high-quality photos, and it is extremely difficult to locate the right one manually. I tried several third-party programs. The first one was Awesome Photo Finder. Unfortunately, it is a very outdated tool, almost like an application from the Windows 95 era. It searches for duplicates rather than the exact image I need. I even tried creating a separate folder for comparison, but this produced no significant results. Moreover, the program often detects images that are only similar in colors, but not actual matches. The second program I tested was Duplicate Photo Fixer Pro. It is also focused on finding duplicates instead of allowing a direct image-based search. On top of that, its interface looks outdated and inconvenient, especially on large screens. In short, there doesn’t seem to be any suitable program that can perform an effective image-to-image search across such a large archive.

I did manage to find a solution in Adobe Elements Organizer. It has a feature called Visual Similarity Search. This function does work, the interface is modern, and it can locate the desired image. However, there is a major drawback: the entire folder of photos must be added into the program’s library. In my case, this is about 1.5 million images (around 13 GB). Importing them into Elements Organizer took 14 hours, and it also created a cache file of 28 GB on my C drive. This is highly inconvenient. Nevertheless, the program did succeed in finding the image.

https://helpx.adobe.com/elements-organi ... eness.html





I would like to address the developers of XnView. Your software is of very high quality and offers excellent functionality. It would be extremely useful if you could add an image-based search feature to XnView, similar to Visual Similarity Search. Alternatively, you could release a separate program with this functionality. I would be very grateful and would gladly provide a significant donation if such a feature were implemented. I have spent several days looking for a proper solution, but all I could find were either outdated tools from the Windows 95 era or programs that do not meet the requirements. I am confident that if XnView implemented this functionality, it would be done at a professional level.

[user0]

try Find similar files in Browser > Tools

you can also use python lib Deep Image Search (AI-Based Image Search Engine) in jupyter notebook (video)

[denvic]

try Find similar files in Browser > Tools

you can also use python lib Deep Image Search (AI-Based Image Search Engine) in jupiter notebook (video)

Thank you for your reply, but I am more interested in finding identical images, meaning the exact picture I am looking for. The ability to find similar images in your program is nice, but what if I need to locate one specific image?

The example you provided below is also not exactly what I mean. That is more of an intelligent search, while I am trying to find the same image - for example, an identical picture.

[denvic]

What I meant is that your program can find similar images, but what I need is to find the exact image I specify, along with its derivative versions. I apologize if I was not entirely clear in my previous message.

[denvic]

To clarify: when I have 1.5 million photos, there will be a huge number of similar images. If I am looking for one specific photo, I will get lost among all those similar results and won’t be able to find the exact one I need. With so many similar pictures, it becomes practically the same as searching without a visual similarity feature. I am not sure how to explain it more clearly. Try to find one specific photo among all your personal pictures at home, and then you will understand what I mean.

[user0]

its already possible in Find similar files
1. add 2 entries (order is important):
- folder with image(s) (or file) to find (must be outside of second entry), eg D:\image_to_find
- root folder in which to search recursively, eg C:\
2. select 'Similar images content (slow)' method, adjust similarity value
3. check 'Between folders only' checkbox

[denvic]

Yes, your solution works. In future updates, could you add the option to directly specify a particular image, without the extra steps with folders you described? If this feature is implemented, I will definitely make a donation after the update. Deal?

It would also be very convenient if the program could display similar images as soon as they are found, instead of waiting for the entire search to finish. In other words, once a match or similar picture is detected, it should immediately appear in the results. This way, there would be no need to wait for a long search to complete before seeing useful matches.

[denvic]

Do I understand correctly that you have no plans to expand the visual search feature? Or would it require a donation for this functionality to be developed? Please advise me on the best way to proceed. This feature is very important to me, as I often need to search for photos. I believe I am not the only one with such a need. Many people face the same problem, but they are simply unaware that your excellent programme already provides this functionality in part.

[user0]

your request is valid, as currently it is not possible to search for image(s) across multiple separate folders
but I'm not a developer