Adding saved searches manually

Last update: Thu Feb 26 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Assets search queries (or saved searches) can be defined by editing a configuration file. This page explains how.

Location of the configuration file

In order to add custom saved queries, navigate to the to the user’s Documents folder and open the Shelf.ini file.

Platform

Version

Path

Windows

7.2 or newer

C:\Users\username\Documents\Adobe\Adobe Substance 3D Painter

Legacy

C:\Users\username\Documents\Allegorithmic\Substance Painter

Mac

7.2 or newer

/Users/username/Documents/Adobe/Adobe Substance 3D Painter

Legacy

/Users/username/Documents/Allegorithmic/Substance Painter

Linux

7.2 or newer

/home/username/Documents/Adobe/Adobe Substance 3D Painter

Legacy

/home/username/Documents/Allegorithmic/Substance Painter

Example

Below is an exmaple of content that can be put in the configuration file:


[filters]

size=4

1name=Grunge

1query="u:basematerial=,smartmaterial=,smartmask=,texture=,procedural=,brush=,alpha= grunge"

2name=Procedural

2query="u:procedural="

3name=Environment

3query="u:environment="

4name=Default Filters

4query="p:/allegorithmic/^ u:filters="

Here is how the syntax works:

Size: is determines the number of custom presets that need to be read and loaded by the application.
Number: at the start of the line defines the current preset it targets (ex: 1/).
Query: (after the number) defines the actual search terms used. In the example it uses u: for usages, p: for paths, or a string for a search term. The query content has to be wrapped in quotes. To learn about the terms that can be used, see this page.
Name: the named of the preset.

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