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How to Use the Photo Annotator on the App

Adding annotations to a photo is easy. With the latest annotator upgrade, we'll go over how to use it in the app. Keywords: annotator, new annotator, add shapes, rotate photos, increase brightness, annotate photos

Written by Support Team

In this article, we'll guide you through the photo annotator on your mobile app — including the available tools, how to customize your toolbar, and how to use features like crop, magnify, and more.

Before we jump in, check out this full walk-through video on the photo annotator in the mobile app:

What's New

  • Toolbar Configuration — Add, remove, and reorder tools in the annotation toolbar via Settings. Keep the tools you use, hide the ones you don't, and reduce clicks.

  • Color picker — The color picker now expands and collapses on tap. The state persists — if you expand it, it stays expanded until you collapse it.

  • Caption — Caption is now always visible at the bottom of the annotator so you never miss adding context to a photo.

  • Delete photo while annotating — Delete a blurry or unwanted photo directly from the annotator without exiting and losing your place.

  • Crop — Now available on mobile, works the same as on web.

  • Magnify — Now available on mobile, works the same as on web.

These updates are automatically enabled on all inspector accounts. To customize your toolbar, tap the top gearwheel then Toolbar Configuration within the annotator and add, remove, or reorder tools based on your preferences.

Available Options and What They Mean

  1. Clear (arrow with clock inside): completely resets the photo to the original, removing all changes

  2. Undo (counterclockwise arrow): undo the most recent annotation

  3. Redo (clockwise arrow): bring back the most recently removed annotation

  4. Color: change or create a new color — tap to expand or collapse the color picker

  5. Arrow: draw an arrow and add it to the photo

  6. Circle: draw a circle and add it to the photo

  7. Square: draw a square and add it to the photo

  8. Line: draw a line and add it to the photo

  9. Text: add text

  10. Rotate Left rotate the photo one position to the left

  11. Rotate Right: rotate the photo one position to the right

  12. Brighten: adjust the photo to be brighter

  13. Dim: adjust the photo to be less bright

  14. Crop: crop the photo (now available on mobile)

  15. Magnify: magnify an area of the photo (now available on mobile)

  16. Caption: always visible at the bottom of the annotator — add from existing location tags or add a new caption

When an annotation is selected:

  • Double Square Icon: duplicate / copy the selected annotation

  • Trash Can Icon: deleted / remove the selected annotation

  • Color Dot: change selected annotations color

Create Default Settings for Your Annotator

  1. Click on the gear in the top right of the annotator

  2. Click on the shape you want to default to

  3. Click on the color you want to default to

Customize Your Annotator Toolbar

  1. Click on the gear in the top right of the annotator

  2. Click on Toolbar Configuration

  3. Click on a minus sign to remove an item from the toolbar

  4. Click on Add Tools to add other available tools to the toolbar

  5. Click on Done when you have the tools you want on your toolbar

  6. Click on Reset to start over with the default toolbar

    Tip: You can only have 11 tools on the toolbar at one time. You may need to remove an item to add an available tool:

How to Add a Shape to a Photo

In this section, we will guide you through the simple steps of adding a circle, square, arrow, or line to enhance your photo.

  1. Open the inspection on the app.

  2. Click "Start" on the report.

  3. Open the section.

  4. Open the item.

  5. Select the comment.

  6. Add your photo using any of the photo options.

  7. After you have added your photo, select the photo within the comment editor.

  8. Choose which color you want the shape to be.

  9. Click "Draw" then select which shape you want to use.

  10. Click on the photo, and then drag and drop your shape.

  11. Adjust as needed.

  12. Once you are finished, click the blue "Save" button in the bottom right.

  • When adding an arrow in the annotator, there is a magnifying window that automatically populates to assist with placement of the arrow.

How to Adjust the Brightness or Rotate a Photo

In this section, we will guide you through the process of adjusting an image's brightness and rotating it to your desired orientation.

  1. Open the inspection on the app.

  2. Click "Start" on the report.

  3. Open the section.

  4. Open the item.

  5. Select the comment.

  6. Add your photo using any of the photo options.

  7. After you have added your photo, select the photo within the comment editor.

  8. Click "Adjust" and drag the slider bar to adjust the brightness.

  9. Click "Rotate" and rotate left or right.

  10. Once you are finished, click the blue "Save" button in the bottom right.

How to Add Text to an Image

Let's explore how we can enhance your photos by adding some text! In this section, we'll guide you step-by-step through the process of incorporating text into your images.

  1. Open the inspection on the app.

  2. Click "Start" on the report.

  3. Open the section.

  4. Open the item.

  5. Select the comment.

  6. Add your photo using any of the photo options.

  7. Click on the image you want to edit.

  8. Hit the "Text" button from the bottom menu.

  9. Enter your text.

  10. Click "Done"

  11. Click on the text to move, resize, or edit the color.

  12. Once you are finished, click the blue "Save" button in the bottom right.

How to Delete a Previous Annotation

Is there a previous shape or annotation that you need to remove? No problem, this section is here to guide you through the process of undoing those previous edits.

  1. Locate the comment that has the annotated photo.

  2. Click the photo in the comment editor.

  3. Tap on the shape.

  4. Click the trashcan icon.

How to Rotate a Shape in the Annotator

If you need to rotate a shape added to your photo, whether it was previously added or newly added, this section will show you how.

  1. Click into the photo with the shape (or add the shape with the "Draw" option).

  2. Click on the shape to select it. The shape has to be selected in order to rotate it.

  3. Click on the circle outside of the shape then hold and move to rotate the shape.

  4. Once you are finished, click the blue "Save" button in the bottom right.

✨ Where you want to click and hold to rotate the shape:

Rotating Shapes in the Annotator 2025-11-07 at 9.41.39 AM

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I have the annotation options show up after I take the photo?

    • Yes! You can turn on auto-annotate within your app settings. This article will walk you through how to turn this option on.
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  • Can I save my annotated images?

    • Of course! You can save these images to your device by enabling the setting "Save Annotated Images". You can find more details on how to do this in this article.
      ​

  • Do the annotations move when the photo is rotated?

    • No. The annotations will be removed if the photo is rotated.
      ​

  • Can I duplicate my annotations?

    • Yes! Select the annotation then click the double square icon to duplicate or copy the annotation.
      ​

  • My app used to take me right to the annotation screen, but it's not doing it anymore. How do I fix this?

    • You may just need to turn 'auto-annotate' back on in your app settings!

      • Tap the 3 lines in the top left corner of your app

      • Tap 'Settings'

      • Locate 'Auto-Annotate'

      • Select when you would like the auto-annotate to work (deficiencies only or on all comment photos)


​If you have any questions or feedback, write into our chat bubble or email support@spectora.com!
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