Tool features, settings and workflows for efficient annotation

8min
General annotation tool tips and tricks
Use shortcuts. You can find the shortcuts written on multiple locations in the app:
In the keyboard shortcut dialog that you can access from the top menu. 
In tooltips shown when hovering over buttons/menu items. If there is a shortcut we generally write it out in a paranthesis next to the description. Ex. "Activate auto-zoom (alt+k)".
On buttons, for example in the drawing dialog and in the class list. 
If the object has property markings - use the set all mode to place all markings at once.
Use the function duplicate properties to speed up setting properties for objects that are similar.
Bounding box with extreme points
Activate the crosshair cursor to increase your precision when placing the extreme points.
Use the auto-zoom to selected object feature when you are doing a correction task or a sequence task. It can help you locate the object faster. 
If you work in a sequence (video) task you can use the platform's interpolation feature to speed up the tracking of the objects.
If you work in a 2D/3D fusion task make sure you activate projections. 
Center point box
Use the auto-zoom to selected object feature. It will zoom in on the center point box and help you make sure the correct box is assigned. 
2D polygon
Use the lock feature to be able to draw faster. 
Use the snap to point feature to draw polygons closer to eachother.
Use the eraser tool when removing large areas of an already drawn polygon. 
Ellipse
If you work in a sequence (video) task you can use the platform's interpolation feature to speed up the tracking of the objects.
Point
No specific suggestions.
Line
If you work in a sequence (video) task you can use the platform's interpolation feature to speed up the tracking of the objects.
3D box tools
In general, use the recommended workflow for the type of task (image or sequence) and the box tool you are using. For the 3D box tools we have a lot of assistive features, which we have included in our recommended "Drawing with the tool"-workflows. 
If available, use the auto-adjust feature to edit the box in one or multiple frames.
If you are working in a sequence task and want to move the box a larger distance - try using the smart move feature. 
If the machine assisted box tool is activated for all or some classes in your task - make sure you use it correctly. Read Machine assisted tool: Vehicles and trucks and/or Machine assisted tool: Signs to see how to use it best. 
If you work in a sequence task where you are required to have the same sized 3D box for an object in every frame - you can use the Unify size feature to set it to the same size in all frames it is visible in.
If you can't see the selected object, use the function Zoom to selected object to zoom in on it.
If you work in a 2D/3D fusion task make sure you activate projections. 
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Updated 03 Mar 2023
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