# Using the Assistant chat: uploading images, saving responses, and viewing thumbnailsYour ArtHelper Assistant can look at a specific piece of your art and generate ideas, captions, or marketing copy based on what it sees. Here's how to upload an image into the chat, save responses so they don't vanish, and fix common upload or thumbnail issues.---## How to upload an image into the Assistant chat1. Open the Assistant from your home page — tap the **chat bubble icon** in the bottom navigation bar (mobile) or the **Assistant** link in the left sidebar (desktop). 2. In the message input field at the bottom, tap the **image icon** (looks like a small picture frame, left of the text box). 3. Choose **Upload from device** or **Select from My Artwork**. - **Upload from device**: pick a photo from your phone or computer. The image will upload directly into this chat. - **Select from My Artwork**: choose a piece you've already uploaded to your ArtHelper gallery. The Assistant will load the full-resolution version. 4. Once the image appears in the chat, type your question or request in the text field and tap **Send**.The Assistant will analyze the image and respond based on what you asked — a caption, a title, a collaboration idea, or anything else.### Uploading images: images now stay visible in the threadImages you upload into a chat now stay visible in the thread — they no longer disappear when you scroll or refresh. You can scroll back through the conversation and see the images you uploaded earlier, even days later. This makes it easier to reference your artwork throughout a conversation without having to re-upload the same image.---## Choosing which images to upload for a taskWhen a magazine, gallery, or client asks you to submit 4–8 images and you're not sure which pieces to send, the Assistant can help you narrow down your options.### How to get selection advice1. Upload all your candidate images into one Assistant chat (you can upload multiple images in a single conversation). 2. Ask: **"Which 4 of these should I submit for [the specific opportunity]?"** - For example: "Which 4 of these should I submit for a contemporary landscape magazine?" - Or: "Which 6 would work best for a gallery application focused on figurative painting?" 3. The Assistant will analyze each piece and recommend based on the opportunity's style, theme, or audience.**Examples of selection requests:**- "I need to choose 5 images for a book illustration proposal about urban environments. Which of these fit best?" - "A gallery wants 8 pieces that show my range. Which ones should I pick from this set?" - "This magazine features bold, graphic work. Which 4 of these images match that style?"### If you're uploading reference photos (not finished artwork)If the images you're uploading are studio photos, work-in-progress shots, or reference materials (rather than finished pieces), **tell the Assistant what you're working on first** — the AI needs context to give useful responses.**Examples:**- "I'm writing a book chapter about my process. Here are some studio photos. Which ones best show my workspace and materials?" - "These are sketches for a mural proposal. Which 3 should I include in my pitch deck?" - "I'm documenting my last residency. Which of these behind-the-scenes photos tell the most compelling story?"Without context, the Assistant may treat reference photos as if they're finished artwork and give recommendations that don't match your intent.### Troubleshooting: "I can't process this image"If the Assistant says it can't process one or more of your uploaded images, try these fixes:- **File may be corrupted**: Try re-exporting the image from your photo editor or gallery app and upload the new version. - **File too large**: The Assistant accepts images up to **10 MB**. If your file is larger, export it as a JPG under 5 MB and re-upload. - **Unsupported format**: The Assistant works with **JPG, PNG, and HEIC** files. If you uploaded a **TIFF, PSD, or RAW file**, export it as JPG first.If the problem persists after trying all of the above, contact support — there may be an account or file-format issue we need to investigate.---## Message timestampsEvery message from the Assistant now shows a timestamp so you can see exactly when a response was generated. The timestamp appears below each Assistant message, showing the date and time (e.g., "Today at 2:34 PM" or "March 15 at 10:22 AM"). This helps you track when ideas or suggestions were generated, especially if you're reviewing a long conversation or working across multiple sessions.---## How to save AI-generated responses before they disappearSome users report that the Assistant's response vanishes before they can read or copy it. Here's how to make sure you don't lose the text:### On mobile1. As soon as the Assistant finishes typing, **tap and hold** the response text. 2. A menu will appear — tap **Copy** to save the text to your clipboard. 3. Paste it into your Notes app, a draft post, or wherever you need it.**Alternative**: Take a screenshot of the response immediately after it appears.### On desktop1. Click and drag to select the entire response text. 2. Press **Ctrl+C** (Windows) or **Cmd+C** (Mac) to copy it. 3. Paste it into a document, email draft, or wherever you're working.**Why responses sometimes disappear**: If the chat refreshes (due to a network hiccup or a page reload), unsaved responses may vanish. ArtHelper does store your chat history — scroll up to see earlier messages — but if you want to be safe, copy the text right away.---## Finding and reopening previous chatsArtHelper saves your chat history automatically, so you can always go back to earlier conversations with the Assistant.### Where to find your chat history- **On mobile**: Open the Assistant (tap the chat bubble icon in the bottom navigation bar). Your current chat appears first. To see older conversations, **tap the menu icon** (three horizontal lines, top-left corner of the screen). A sidebar will slide out showing a list of your recent chats, newest first. - **On desktop**: Open the Assistant (click **Assistant** in the left sidebar). Your chat history appears in the **left panel** below the new-chat button. Scroll down to see older conversations.### How to reopen an old chat1. Find the conversation you want in the sidebar or history list. 2. Tap or click on it — the full conversation will load in the main chat window. 3. Scroll through the messages to review what you discussed or to continue where you left off.### What happens if you close the app or shut down your phone?Your chats are saved automatically to your ArtHelper account, not just stored on your device. You can:- Close the app and reopen it later — your chats will still be there. - Shut down your phone or switch devices — log in to ArtHelper on any device and you'll see the same chat history. - Start a new chat and come back to an old one anytime — nothing gets deleted unless you manually delete a conversation.**Note**: If you start typing in an old chat, the Assistant will continue that conversation with the context and memory from earlier in the thread. If you want a completely fresh start, tap or click **New Chat** instead.### Searching your chat historyIf you have a lot of conversations and want to find a specific one:- **On desktop**: Use your browser's search function (**Ctrl+F** or **Cmd+F**) while viewing the chat history sidebar to search for a keyword or image name. - **On mobile**: Scroll through the list manually, or use the search icon (if available in your version of the app) to filter by keyword.If you can't find an old chat, make sure you're logged into the same ArtHelper account you used when you created it.---## Getting the Assistant to reference your image filenames in responsesBy default, the Assistant shows thumbnails but doesn't always name the file. If you need it to say "Sunset Over the Bay.jpg" instead of just showing the image, tell it:**"When you reference my images, include the filename."**You can also add this as a standing rule in Assistant settings under **Rules** so it always includes filenames without you having to ask each time. Learn more in [Train your Assistant: custom rules, voice, and memory](https://help.arthelper.com/en/articles/assistant-train-your-assistant).---## If you keep getting disconnected while working on a taskThis can happen if the AI request is large (like generating descriptions for 50 images at once) or if your internet connection drops. Try:1. **Work in smaller batches** — process 5–10 images at a time instead of all at once. 2. **Check your internet connection** — the Assistant needs a stable connection to generate and save responses. 3. **Use the Save button after every response you want to keep**, so you don't lose work if the session ends.---## If the chat keeps asking you to refresh or restartThis usually means the session timed out or the AI lost context mid-task. Here's how to fix it:1. **Refresh the page and try the request again in a new chat** — sometimes a fresh session is all you need. 2. **If you were working on a long task** (like a campaign with multiple steps), break it into smaller requests — ask for one piece at a time instead of "create my entire limited edition campaign." 3. **If the issue persists**, contact support with the chat link (use the **Share** button at the top of the chat) so we can investigate what's causing the timeout.---## Does the Assistant remember conversations between users?**No.** Each user's Assistant is private and has its own memory. If you trained your Assistant with custom rules and voice settings, those apply only to your account. Another user's Assistant won't know what yours learned.---## Troubleshooting: image won't upload to the AssistantIf you can upload images to your gallery but NOT into the Assistant chat, try these fixes in order:### 1. Check the file sizeThe Assistant chat has a smaller file-size limit than the gallery uploader. If your image is over **10 MB**, the upload may fail silently.- **How to check**: On iPhone, go to Photos → select the image → tap the Share icon → scroll down to see the file size. On Android, open the image in your gallery app and look for Details or Info. - **How to fix**: Use your phone's built-in photo editor to export a smaller version, or choose "Select from My Artwork" instead (if you've already uploaded the image to your gallery, it's been resized automatically).### 2. Try a different image formatThe Assistant accepts **JPG, PNG, and HEIC** (iPhone's default format). If you're trying to upload a **TIFF, PSD, or RAW file**, it won't work.- **How to fix**: Export the image as a JPG from your photo editor before uploading.### 3. Use "Select from My Artwork" instead of "Upload from device"If device uploads keep failing, bypass the issue by uploading the image to your gallery first, then selecting it from **My Artwork** in the chat.### 4. Refresh the page and try againOn desktop, refresh the browser tab. On mobile, close the app completely (swipe it away from your recent apps list) and reopen it. Then try the upload again.### 5. Check your internet connectionIf you're on a weak Wi-Fi or cellular signal, the upload may time out. Switch to a stronger connection and retry.If none of these work, contact ArtHelper support — there may be a file format or account issue we need to investigate.---## Troubleshooting: thumbnails missing in chat repliesSome users report that when the Assistant refers back to an image in a multi-turn conversation, the thumbnail preview doesn't appear — just a blank space or a broken-image icon.This is a known issue and the team is working on a fix. In the meantime, the Assistant can still see and analyze the image (the data is there), so you can continue the conversation. The missing thumbnail doesn't affect the quality of the responses.**Workaround**: If you need to see which image the Assistant is talking about, scroll up in the chat to your original upload message — the full-size image will still be visible there.---## Troubleshooting: the Assistant ignores your follow-up and reverts to an earlier topicIf you're in the middle of a conversation and the Assistant suddenly "forgets" what you were just talking about — or jumps back to something from five messages ago — you've probably **started a new chat by accident** instead of continuing the existing thread.### Why this happens- On mobile, tapping the **New Chat** button (or the **+** icon in some versions) starts a completely fresh conversation. The Assistant won't have any memory of the previous chat, even if it was just a minute ago. - On desktop, clicking **New Chat** in the sidebar does the same thing. - Sometimes users tap New Chat thinking it will "refresh" the current conversation, but it actually creates a separate thread.### How to continue an existing chat instead1. **Don't tap New Chat** if you want to keep talking about the same topic. 2. Just type your next message in the current chat window and tap Send. The Assistant will remember everything from earlier in that conversation. 3. If you've already started a new chat by mistake, go back to the **chat history** (see "Finding and reopening previous chats" above) and reopen the original conversation. You can pick up where you left off.### How to tell if you're in a new chat or continuing an old one- **Look at the message history**: If you scroll up and see the messages from your previous conversation, you're still in the same thread. - **Check the chat title** (if visible): Each chat gets a title based on the first few messages. If the title doesn't match what you were just talking about, you're in a new chat.If the Assistant keeps losing context even though you're staying in the same chat (and you haven't tapped New Chat), contact support — there may be a session or memory issue we need to investigate.---## Troubleshooting: error messages when using Sparks or the AssistantIf you see an error message while using Sparklinks or the Assistant chat, try these steps first:1. **Refresh the page** — on desktop, press **Ctrl+R** (Windows) or **Cmd+R** (Mac). On mobile, close the app completely and reopen it. 2. **Clear your browser cache** (desktop only): - In Chrome: Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data → select "Cached images and files" → Clear data. - In Safari: Go to Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All. - In Firefox: Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data. 3. **Try a different browser** — if you're using Safari, try Chrome or Firefox (or vice versa). Some browser extensions can interfere with the Assistant. 4. **If the error persists after trying all of the above**, contact ArtHelper support and include: - The **exact error message** (take a screenshot if possible). - What you were trying to do when the error appeared. - Your device type and browser (e.g., "iPhone 14, Safari" or "Windows laptop, Chrome").This will help the support team diagnose the issue faster.---## Troubleshooting common chat and Spark issues### Chat disappeared during conversationIf you were in the middle of a conversation and the entire chat seems to have vanished:**Do chats auto-save?** Yes — ArtHelper automatically saves every chat to your account as you type. You don't need to click a Save button to preserve the conversation itself.**Where to find your chat:**- **Recent chats**: Open the Assistant and look in the chat history sidebar (three-line menu icon on mobile, left panel on desktop). Your most recent conversations appear at the top. - **Saved chats**: If you manually saved a specific chat for quick access, check the **Saved Chats** section (look for a star or bookmark icon in the chat history sidebar, if available in your app version).**What causes a chat to be lost?**- **Session timeout**: If you leave the app open without interacting for an extended period (usually 30+ minutes), the session may time out. When you return, you'll be in a fresh session — but your previous chat is still in your history. Just reopen it from the sidebar. - **Unsaved state**: The conversation itself is saved, but if you were typing a message and didn't send it before closing the app, that unsent draft is lost. - **Account logout**: If you were logged out (due to a password change or security setting), you'll need to log back in to see your chat history.**How to recover a disappeared chat**: Open the Assistant, tap the menu icon (mobile) or look in the left sidebar (desktop), and scroll through your recent chats. The conversation should still be there unless you manually deleted it.If you still can't find it, contact support — there may be a sync issue with your account.### AI repeating previous questions or losing context mid-conversationIf the Assistant keeps asking you the same question it already asked, or suddenly "forgets" what you discussed a few messages ago:**Is this a context-window issue?** Possibly. The Assistant can remember a certain amount of conversation history (typically the last 20–30 exchanges, depending on message length). If your chat is very long or includes many large images, older messages may "fall off" the context window — the Assistant won't remember details from the beginning of the thread.**How to start a fresh chat:**1. Tap or click **New Chat** (the + icon or "New Chat" button in the Assistant interface). 2. This starts a completely blank conversation with no memory of previous chats. Use this if you want to change topics or if the Assistant seems confused.**Is this a bug?** If the Assistant is repeating questions within the same short conversation (e.g., asking "What's your art style?" twice in five messages), that's unusual and should be reported.**What to do**: Contact ArtHelper support and share the chat link (use the **Share** button at the top of the chat). Include a description of when the repetition happened so the team can investigate whether it's a context issue or a bug.### Cannot find saved content in SparksIf you used a Spark (a guided workflow like "Create a caption" or "Write a product description") and can't find the output afterward:**Do Spark outputs auto-save?** It depends on the Spark type:- **Some Sparks auto-save** their output to your **Saved Content** area (look for a "Saved Content" tab or section in the main navigation, or under your profile menu). - **Other Sparks require manual saving** — you'll see a **Save** button at the end of the Spark workflow. If you don't click it, the output stays only in that chat and won't appear in Saved Content.**Where is the Save button?**- **At the end of the Spark workflow**: After the Assistant generates the final output (caption, description, campaign outline, etc.), look for a **Save to Saved Content** button or a **Save** icon (usually a bookmark or floppy disk icon) near the response. - **In the chat itself**: Some Sparks let you save individual responses mid-workflow. Look for a small Save icon next to each Assistant message.**Where to find saved content:**1. Go to your ArtHelper home page. 2. Look for **Saved Content**, **My Content**, or a similar tab in the main navigation or under your profile menu. 3. If you don't see a Saved Content area, check the **Assistant chat history** — reopen the chat where you ran the Spark, and the output will still be visible in the conversation. You can copy it manually from there.**Why content might not be saved:**- You completed the Spark but didn't click the Save button. - You closed the app or navigated away before the save completed. - The Spark type you used doesn't auto-save (e.g., it's designed for quick copy-paste use, not long-term storage).**What to do**: If you're sure you clicked Save but the content isn't appearing in Saved Content, contact support with the name of the Spark you used and the approximate date/time — the team can check whether the save failed or if there's a UI issue.---## Understanding Spark quotas and limitsSparks are guided workflows that help you quickly generate marketing copy, captions, campaign outlines, and other content. Depending on your ArtHelper plan, you may have a limited number of Sparks per month.### How many Sparks do I get?Your Spark quota depends on your plan tier:- **Free plan**: 5 Sparks per month. - **Basic plan**: 25 Sparks per month. - **Pro plan**: 100 Sparks per month. - **Studio plan**: Unlimited Sparks.(Note: These numbers are typical defaults — check your account settings or plan details for your exact quota.)### What counts as "using a Spark"?Each time you **complete a Spark workflow** (e.g., finish the "Create an Instagram caption" Spark and receive the final output), it counts as one Spark used. If you start a Spark but don't finish it (e.g., you close the chat halfway through), it usually does NOT count against your quota.**Do regular Assistant chats count as Sparks?** No. Asking the Assistant a question in a normal chat ("Help me write a bio") does NOT use a Spark. Only the pre-built Spark workflows (the ones you launch from a button or menu) count toward your monthly limit.### How to check how many Sparks you have leftTo see your remaining Spark count:1. Open the Assistant. 2. Look for a **Sparks remaining** indicator near the top of the screen, in the sidebar, or in your account menu (the exact location varies by app version). 3. It will show something like "5 / 25 Sparks used this month" or "20 Sparks remaining."If you don't see a Spark counter, you may be on a plan with unlimited Sparks, or the counter may be in your account settings (tap your profile icon → Settings → Plan & Billing).### What happens when you run out of Sparks?If you've used all your Sparks for the month:- **Sparks are locked**: You won't be able to launch any new Spark workflows until your quota resets (at the beginning of the next billing cycle). - **Regular Assistant chat still works**: You can still have normal conversations with the Assistant, upload images, and ask for help — you just can't use the guided Spark templates. - **Saved Content remains accessible**: Any content you saved from previous Sparks is still available in your Saved Content area.**How to get more Sparks:**- **Wait for your quota to reset** — Spark limits refresh at the start of each billing month (the date you originally subscribed or upgraded). - **Upgrade your plan** — moving to a higher tier (e.g., Basic → Pro) increases your monthly Spark limit immediately. - **Use the regular Assistant chat as a workaround** — instead of launching a Spark, describe what you need in a normal chat message (e.g., "Write me three Instagram captions for this painting"). It won't be as structured as a Spark, but it doesn't count against your quota.If you're on the Studio plan and see a "Sparks limit reached" message, contact support — unlimited plans should never hit a quota.---## Troubleshooting: Assistant training settings not savingIf you've customized your Assistant's voice, rules, or memory (under **Assistant Settings** or **Train Your Assistant**) but the changes don't seem to stick:### Do training settings auto-save or require a Save button?**It depends on the setting type:**- **Voice and tone settings**: These typically auto-save as you make changes. If you adjust sliders or select a voice style, it should apply immediately to new chats. - **Custom rules**: After typing a new rule (e.g., "Always include image filenames"), you must click **Save** or **Add Rule** for it to take effect. If you navigate away without saving, the rule won't be stored. - **Memory (context from previous chats)**: The Assistant's memory updates automatically as you chat. You don't manually "save" memories — they're learned from your conversations over time.### Why changes might not persist**You didn't click Save**: If you typed a custom rule or changed a setting but didn't see a confirmation message ("Settings saved" or similar), the change may not have been stored. Always look for a Save or Apply button after editing.**Browser cache issue**: Sometimes your browser loads an old version of the settings page. Try refreshing the page (**Ctrl+R** or **Cmd+R**) or clearing your browser cache (see "Troubleshooting: error messages" above for cache-clearing steps).**Changes apply only to new chats**: Voice and rule changes affect chats you start AFTER saving the settings. If you go back to an old chat, the Assistant may still use the previous settings from when that chat was created. To see your new settings in action, start a **New Chat**.**You're on a different device**: Training settings are saved to your ArtHelper account, but if you're logged in on multiple devices and made changes on one, you may need to refresh or log out/in on the other device to sync the updates.### How to verify your settings saved correctly1. Go to **Assistant Settings** or **Train Your Assistant** (usually under your profile menu or in the Assistant sidebar). 2. Check that your custom rules, voice preferences, and other settings appear exactly as you entered them. 3. Start a **New Chat** and test the Assistant — ask it to do something that should trigger your custom rule (e.g., if you set a rule to "include emojis," see if the response includes emojis).If the Assistant still isn't following your settings, or if you see a "Failed to save" error message, contact support with details about which setting you're trying to change.---## What are Sparklinks?Sparklinks are a separate feature — they're daily email or text nudges that open the Assistant with a specific image already loaded and a useful task ready to run. If you're getting Sparklinks and want to know what they are, read [What are Sparklinks? Your daily marketing nudge](https://help.arthelper.com/en/articles/what-are-sparklinks).---## Still stuck?If you've tried everything above and the Assistant chat still won't accept uploads or show thumbnails, tap the **Help** icon in the bottom-right corner of any ArtHelper page and describe the issue — include your device type (iPhone 14, Windows laptop, etc.) and what you see when the upload fails. The support team will investigate.
Using the Assistant chat: uploading images, saving responses, and viewing thumbnails
How to upload artwork into a chat with your Assistant, save AI-generated responses before they disappear, and troubleshoot missing thumbnails or upload errors.
Written by Shelby