Question 1

How do I search for images on Cathopic?

Accepted Answer

Cathopic makes it easy to find the perfect image for your needs using our powerful search engine. Using the search bar You can find the search bar at the top of every page: Click on the search bar Type your search term (e.g., "nativity", "prayer", "saint") Press Enter or click the search icon As you type, you will see suggested search terms appear below the search bar to help you find what you're looking for faster. Search language Cathopic automatically searches in both English and Spanish, regardless of which language you're using for the interface. This means you'll get comprehensive results whether you search for "prayer" or "oración". Our search engine looks for matches in: Image titles Descriptions Tags and keywords Search results When you search, you'll see results organized by content type: Photos: High-quality photographs Videos: Video content Graphics: Illustrations and graphic designs Artwork: Traditional and digital art AI: AI-generated images You can switch between these tabs to see results for each content type, and each tab shows the total number of results available. Empty searches If you visit the search page without entering a term, you'll see featured and trending content organized by these same categories.

Question 2

How do filters work?

Accepted Answer

Cathopic offers filtering options to help you narrow down search results and find exactly what you need. Orientation filters You can filter results by image orientation: All: Shows all images regardless of orientation Landscape: Horizontal images (width > height) Portrait: Vertical images (height > width) Square: Square images (width = height) The orientation filter appears near the top of the search results page and updates results instantly when you change it. Content type filters Search results are automatically organized by content type through tabs: Photos: Excludes artwork and AI-generated images Videos: Excludes AI-generated videos Graphics: Only graphic design content Artwork: Traditional and digital artwork only AI: AI-generated content only How filters are applied When you apply filters: Results update automatically The count for each content type tab reflects the filtered results Filters persist as you browse through pages You can combine orientation filters with content type selection Category browsing You can also browse content by categories, which acts as a specialized filter: Visit the Categories page Select a category (e.g., "Saints", "Liturgy", "Prayer") Results will show only content tagged with that category You can still apply orientation and content type filters within categories

Question 3

Can I search by saint, feast, or liturgical season?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Cathopic has extensive Catholic-specific tagging that makes it easy to find images related to saints, feast days, and liturgical seasons. Searching by saint Simply search for the saint's name in the search bar: Type "Saint Francis" or "San Francisco" - both will work Type "Mary" for images related to the Virgin Mary Search works in both English and Spanish The search will return all images tagged with that saint's name. Searching by feast or solemnity You can search for liturgical celebrations: Search for "Christmas", "Navidad", "Nativity" Search for "Easter", "Pascua", "Resurrection" Search for "Pentecost", "Pentecostés" Any feast day or solemnity name works Searching by liturgical season Search for the liturgical season: "Advent" or "Adviento" "Lent" or "Cuaresma" "Ordinary Time" or "Tiempo Ordinario" "Easter Season" or "Tiempo Pascual" Using categories For more organized browsing, you can also: Visit the Categories page Look for categories like "Saints", "Liturgy", "Sacraments" Browse content specifically tagged with those themes Tags and keywords All images on Cathopic are tagged with relevant keywords including: Saint names Liturgical celebrations Church seasons Theological concepts Biblical references These tags work in both English and Spanish, so you can search in your preferred language.

Question 4

Why are my search results limited or empty?

Accepted Answer

If you're seeing few or no results, there are several possible reasons and solutions. Common reasons for limited results 1. Very specific search terms Extremely specific searches may have limited results in our database. Try: Using more general terms ("prayer" instead of "evening prayer in cathedral") Removing extra words Searching for one concept at a time 2. Spelling or language Check for typos in your search term Try the search in both English and Spanish Use alternative spellings or synonyms 3. Content type filtering If you're on the "Videos" tab but searching for something that only has photos, switch to the "Photos" tab Check the count shown on each content type tab The "All" results might show more options 4. Orientation filter is too restrictive If you have "Portrait" selected but the content is mainly landscape, change the orientation filter to "All" Check if removing the orientation filter shows more results Search limitations Algolia (our search provider) limits results to a maximum of 1,000 items per search for performance. This is rarely an issue unless you're searching very broad terms with thousands of results. What to do if you can't find what you need Browse categories: Sometimes browsing is more effective than searching Use related terms: Try synonyms or related concepts Check similar content: If you find one relevant image, check the uploader's profile for similar work Request content: If the content truly doesn't exist, you can reach out to our community to request it

Question 5

How does relevance and sorting work?

Accepted Answer

Cathopic uses advanced algorithms to show you the most relevant results and offers multiple sorting options to help you find exactly what you need. Default relevance When you search, results are automatically ranked by relevance based on: Keyword matching: How well your search term matches the image title, description, and tags Typo tolerance: The search engine can understand and correct minor typos Proximity: How close search terms appear together in the content Recent popularity: Images that have been downloaded frequently in the past week are prioritized This default ranking is powered by Algolia, our search provider, which uses machine learning to continuously improve result quality. Available sorting options You can change how results are sorted using the sort dropdown: Popular (default): Shows images with recent download activity Calculated based on all-time downloads minus downloads from the past week Highlights trending and currently popular content Most recent: Shows newest uploads first Great for discovering fresh content Helps you see what contributors have recently added Popular all-time: Shows images sorted by total number of downloads ever Displays the most downloaded content in Cathopic's history Great for finding proven, widely-used images Most voted: Shows images sorted by number of user votes Highlights content that the community has explicitly endorsed Can reveal hidden gems that users love How sorting interacts with search When you use the search bar, relevance is always considered first Sorting options then re-order those relevant results This ensures you get both relevant AND well-organized results Empty searches If you browse without a search term, sorting becomes the primary ranking method, letting you explore content organized purely by popularity, recency, or votes.

Question 6

How do I download an image?

Accepted Answer

Downloading images from Cathopic is simple and straightforward. For subscribers If you have an active subscription: Find the image you want to download Click the Download button The image will begin downloading automatically to your device The download counts against your monthly download limit For non-subscribers Without a subscription: You can only download images marked as "Free" Premium content (most images) requires an active subscription When you click Download on premium content, you'll be prompted to subscribe Re-downloading images If you've already downloaded an image before: The Download button will show a refresh icon and say "Download again" You can re-download it without it counting toward your download limit This allows you to download the same image multiple times if needed Download button location You can find the download button in several places: Image detail page: Large prominent button Grid view hover: Appears when you hover over an image in search results Lightbox/modal view: Available when viewing images in full screen Multiple size options (images only) For images, you'll see a dropdown arrow next to the Download button that lets you choose different resolutions. See the "What resolutions are available?" question for more details.

Question 7

What resolutions are available?

Accepted Answer

Cathopic offers multiple resolution options for images to suit different use cases. Videos and graphics download at their original resolution only. Standard resolution options (images only) When downloading an image, click the dropdown arrow next to the Download button to choose from: Small (640px width): Perfect for web thumbnails and social media stories Smallest file size for faster loading Height is automatically calculated to maintain aspect ratio Medium (1920px width): Great for most digital uses Suitable for presentations, websites, and social media posts Good balance between quality and file size Large (2400px width): High resolution for professional designs Suitable for print materials at smaller sizes Excellent quality for detailed viewing Original: The full, uncompressed resolution as uploaded by the contributor Best quality available Ideal for professional print work and archival purposes Largest file size Custom size option If you need a specific size not offered in the presets: Click the dropdown arrow next to Download Select Custom size Enter your desired dimensions Choose whether to crop or maintain aspect ratio Download your custom-sized image This is particularly useful for specific design requirements or platform specifications. Resolution availability If an image is smaller than a preset size, that option will be grayed out For example, if an image is 1000px wide, the "Large" and "Original" options may be the same or unavailable The original resolution is always available Videos and other content Videos, graphics, and artwork download at their original uploaded resolution. There are no size options for these content types.

Question 8

Can I re-download images?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Once you've downloaded an image, you can re-download it at any time without it counting toward your monthly download limit. How to re-download When you visit an image you've previously downloaded: The Download button will show a refresh/reload icon instead of the regular download icon The button text will say "Download again" (for subscribers) Click the button to download the image again This download does NOT count toward your monthly limit Why re-download? There are many reasons you might want to re-download: You lost the original file You need a different resolution You're working on a new device The file became corrupted You need to download it for a different project How the system tracks downloads Cathopic keeps a record of every image you've downloaded. This allows us to: Let you re-download without penalties Show you your download history Track which images you have the license to use Download history You can see all your downloaded images in Settings → History. From there, you can: Browse all images you've ever downloaded Re-download any of them See when you originally downloaded each image Access images from months or years ago Limitations You can only re-download images you personally downloaded while logged in Free downloads made before creating an account cannot be re-downloaded for free The license remains valid for all your downloaded images, even if your subscription ends

Question 9

Can I download multiple files at once?

Accepted Answer

Currently, Cathopic does not support bulk or batch downloading. You need to download images one at a time. Why one at a time? Individual downloads allow us to: Accurately track your download usage Ensure proper licensing for each image Maintain system performance and stability Prevent accidental downloads of unwanted content Give you control over resolution choices for each image Efficient downloading workflow To download multiple images efficiently: Use collections: Add images to a collection as you browse Open collection: Go to your collection to see all saved images together Download systematically: Download each image one by one from your collection Keyboard shortcuts: Use browser shortcuts to speed up the process Using collections as a download queue Collections serve as an excellent way to prepare for batch downloading: Create a collection for your project Add all images you need to the collection while browsing Review your collection to ensure you have everything Download each image from the collection view Your browser will handle the multiple downloads Browser download manager Most modern browsers can handle multiple sequential downloads: Click download on the first image Quickly move to the next image and click download Continue this process Your browser's download manager will queue all downloads Future consideration We're aware that bulk download is a requested feature and may consider it for future updates, especially for API users or enterprise customers.

Question 10

Where can I see my download history?

Accepted Answer

You can view your complete download history in your account settings. Accessing your download history Log into your Cathopic account Go to Settings → History You'll see a chronological list of all images you've downloaded What information is shown For each downloaded image, you can see: The image thumbnail Image title and description The date and time you downloaded it The contributor who uploaded it Quick access to view or re-download the image Filtering and searching In your download history, you can: Browse through all your downloads chronologically See your most recent downloads first Navigate through pages if you have many downloads Re-downloading from history Your download history makes it easy to: Find an image you downloaded months or years ago Re-download it without counting toward your limit Access the full image details page Keep track of which images you have licenses for Download history is permanent Your download history is saved permanently, even if: Your subscription expires You cancel and later reactivate You switch between subscription plans All images you've ever downloaded remain in your history and you retain the right to use them under the license terms at the time of download. Privacy note Your download history is private and only visible to you. Other users cannot see what you've downloaded.

Question 11

What are collections?

Accepted Answer

Collections are personal folders where you can organize and save images for easy access later. Think of them as playlists for images. Why use collections? Collections help you: Organize by project: Create a collection for each ministry or project Plan ahead: Gather images for upcoming liturgical seasons Curate themes: Group images by topic (e.g., "Saints", "Christmas", "Youth Ministry") Collaborate: Share a collection with team members or colleagues Quick access: Find your saved images faster than searching again How collections work Create as many collections as you need Each collection can hold unlimited images One image can be in multiple collections Collections are private by default but can be shared You can edit, rename, or delete collections at any time Collections vs. Favorites Favorites: Simple one-click bookmark All favorites go to one general list Quick way to mark images you like Less organized, more spontaneous Collections: Organized into named groups Multiple collections for different purposes Can be shared with others Better for project planning and team work Public collections Users can browse public collections created by other Cathopic members, which is a great way to discover curated sets of images around specific themes.

Question 12

How do I save images to favorites?

Accepted Answer

Saving images to favorites is a quick one-click action that lets you bookmark images you like. How to add to favorites You'll see a heart icon on every image. To add to favorites: Hover over an image in search results or browse a category Click the heart icon that appears The heart will fill in to show it's been favorited The image is now saved to your favorites You can also favorite from the image detail page using the heart icon in the top corner. Viewing your favorites To see all your favorited images: Click on your profile picture or avatar Select Favorites from the menu You'll see all images you've favorited in one place Removing from favorites To unfavorite an image: Click the filled heart icon again The heart will become empty The image is removed from your favorites Who can see your favorites? Your favorites are public by default and appear on your public profile. Other users can: Visit your profile and see your favorite images Browse what you've liked Discover images through your curation This helps build community and allows users to share what resonates with them. Favorites vs. Collections Favorites are simpler and faster than collections: Favorites: One general list, public, one-click action Collections: Organized groups, private by default, more detailed Use favorites for quick bookmarking and collections for organized project planning.

Question 13

How do I create and manage collections?

Accepted Answer

Creating and managing collections is easy and gives you full control over how you organize your saved images. Creating a new collection There are two ways to create a collection: Method 1: When saving an image Find an image you want to save Click the bookmark icon on the image A popup will appear showing your existing collections Click "Create new collection" Enter a name for your collection Optionally add a description Click Create Method 2: From your profile Go to your profile Navigate to the Collections tab Click "Create collection" Fill in the details Save your new collection Adding images to collections To add an image to a collection: Click the bookmark icon on any image A popup shows all your collections Click on the collection(s) you want to add the image to Selected collections will show a checkmark You can add the image to multiple collections at once Managing your collections To edit or delete a collection: Go to your profile Open the Collections tab Click on the collection you want to manage Use the Edit button to: Change the collection name (max 50 characters) Update the description (max 250 characters) Change privacy settings (public or private) Or use the Delete button to remove the entire collection Removing images from collections To remove an image from a collection: Click the bookmark icon on an image that's already in a collection Uncheck the collection you want to remove it from The image will be removed from that collection Alternatively, when viewing a collection, you can remove individual images directly from the collection view. Collection limits No limit on number of collections you can create No limit on images per collection Collection names must be 50 characters or less Descriptions can be up to 250 characters

Question 14

Can I share a collection with others?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can share collections by making them public, allowing others to view and browse the images you've curated. Making a collection public To share a collection: Go to your profile Open the Collections tab Click on the collection you want to share Click the Edit button Change the privacy setting to Public Save your changes Once public, your collection will: Appear on your public profile Be accessible to anyone with the link Show up in public collection browsing Display all images within the collection Sharing the collection link When viewing a public collection, you can: Copy the collection URL from your browser Share the link via email, social media, or messaging Embed it in websites or newsletters Anyone with the link can view it without logging in What others can see When someone views your public collection, they can: See all images in the collection View the collection name and description See your profile as the collection creator Browse through the images Download images (if they have a subscription) What others cannot do Viewers of your public collection cannot: Edit or delete the collection Add or remove images Change the collection name or description See your private collections Making a collection private again You can change a public collection back to private at any time: Edit the collection Change the privacy setting to Private Save your changes The collection will no longer be accessible to others, and shared links will no longer work. Use cases for shared collections Ministry teams: Share a collection of images for an upcoming event Parishes: Curate seasonal images for bulletin creators Educators: Share resources with other catechists Designers: Show clients options for projects

Question 15

Can I collaborate on a collection?

Accepted Answer

Currently, Cathopic does not support collaborative editing of collections. Each collection is owned and managed by a single user. Current limitations At this time: Only the collection creator can add or remove images Only the owner can edit the collection name or description Only the owner can delete the collection Other users cannot be granted edit permissions Workarounds for team collaboration If you need to work with a team, here are some alternatives: 1. Share viewing access: Create a public collection Share the link with team members Team members can view and download images They can save images to their own collections 2. Create parallel collections: Each team member creates their own collection for the project Share collection links with each other Everyone can contribute their own suggestions Compile the final selection into one master collection 3. Use a shared account (not recommended): Share login credentials with team members Note: This violates our terms of service Can create security and accountability issues Better to use one of the methods above 4. Communication outside Cathopic: Create your collection in Cathopic Share the link via email or messaging Gather feedback through other channels Update the collection based on team input Future consideration We understand that collaborative collections would be valuable for many users, especially: Ministry teams planning events Design agencies working on client projects Parish staff coordinating communications Educational institutions sharing resources While we don't currently offer this feature, it may be considered for future development based on user demand and technical feasibility. API access for organizations Organizations with specific collaboration needs may want to explore our API, which can potentially enable custom workflows and integrations. Contact our support team to learn more about enterprise solutions.

Using Cathopic

Searching for content

Downloads & resolutions

Collections & favorites