This article explains how to use annotations for trial plots operations in PIX4Dfields. The annotation tool can help with trial plot operations by calculating statistics such as areas, lengths, and mean index values.  This tool can also import geotagged images of fields and areas of interest

Import an annotation as shape (GeoJSON, KML, Shapefile)

Import geotagged images as annotations

To import geotagged images:

1. Go to the Annotations tab on the right board.
2. Click on Import shapes or images.
3. Choose one image or many images with geolocation data to import.
4. Click Open.
5. The images will be imported and created as annotation which contains the imported image as an attachment.
6. The attachment is visible on the map as a thumbnail.

Create annotations directly on the map layer

To add annotations to a layer:

1. Click on the Annotation tool icon in the top-left corner of the map layer.
2. Chose a Point, Line or Area annotation.
3. Left-click to add each new vertex or a new point.
4. Click Accept to finish drawing the annotation or click Cancel to discard the drawing (in case of Line or Area Annotation).
5. Add a Title (mandatory) and Description (optional) and Image (optional) to the annotation.
6. Click Save.

 

Tip: Area and line annotations deliver statistical insights. For example, an area annotation on a vegetation index layer delivers the mean index value for the zone within the polygon.  For example: 

Edit an annotation

1. Double-click the annotation to edit in the annotation tab on the right board or directly on the map. Or click the edit icon next to the annotation object on the right board.
2. Click the edit point/line/area icon in the edit annotation dialogue box.
3. Drag and drop an area or line with the arrow cross icon or directly in case of point annotation to  relocate it.
   • For lines and areas:
     • Drag the white dots to modify the area or line.
     • Click the "plus" sign to create more vertices.
     • To remove a vertex, click and drag a vertex on top of another vertex.  Wait until a red halo appears around the selected vertex then release the mouse button. This will delete a vertex.
4. Click the checkmark to accept the edited area, line, or point geometry, or click the X to cancel and leave the annotation unchanged. 
5. Save the edited annotation with the Save button.

Add attachments to an annotation

To add attachments to an annotation:

1. Double-click the annotation to add an image as attachment to in the annotation tab on the right board or directly on the map.  Or click the Edit icon next to the annotation object of choice on the right board.
2. Click the Plus icon right of the empty thumbnail icon in the annotation edit dialogue.
3. Navigate to the folder containing the file and select it.  Click Open.
4. A thumbnail is created and added to the annotations' display on the map layer.

Add a description to an annotation

To add a description to an annotation:

1. Double-click the annotation to add an image as an attachment to in the annotation tab on the right board.  Or click the Edit icon next to the annotation object of choice on the right board.
2. Add a description in the description part of the annotation dialogue box.

Fill the area of an annotation

Fill the area of an area annotation:

1. Double-click the annotation to add an image as an attachment to in the annotation tab on the right board.  Or click the edit icon next to the annotation object of choice on the right board.
2. Toggle the Fill area button on the left bottom side of the annotation dialogue box on.

Reuse an annotation

To reuse an annotation:

1. Click the Duplicate Symbol next to the annotation name to duplicate in the right board’s annotation list.
2. Move or edit parts of the duplicated annotation or leave it untouched. Click the checkmark to continue.
3. Edit the name of the duplicated annotation.
4. Save.

Export an annotation

To export an annotation:

1. Click the Export button at the top right corner of the top bar.
2. Under Export, click Annotations.
3. Under Select layer, choose the annotation layer to export.
4. Select the annotation(s) to export.
5. Choose a format.
6. Click Export. Navigate to the export folder. In the File name, write a name for the file.

Export annotation statistics

Statistics about annotations can be exported.  Please visit:  PIX4Dfields statistics.

Delete annotations

To delete annotations:

1. Click the trash icon next to the annotation to delete in the right board’s annotation list.
   Or click the trash icon in the edit annotation dialogue box.  Or click “<-” on the keyboard.
2. Confirm the option to delete in the pop-up.

Annotation upload for Share to PIX4Dcloud

Annotations can be shared over the internet by using Share to PIX4Dcloud. One single annotation layer is supported per upload. For more information: Share to PIX4Dcloud.