Annotation toolkit components

When using the Annotation Tool, the Annotation Toolkit package will open by default. When there is data in the Block module, the Scene window will display the tool.

Get annotation data

Tool interface description:

Tool interface description 1 Tool interface description 2

Display tool nodes.
Close the annotation toolkit. After closing, use 6 to reopen it.
Single-point annotation/Batch annotation selection.
Annotation node type selection.
Operation prompts and switches.
Open/close the toolkit.
Import/export/clear annotation data.
Import method used for importing annotation data (file or annotation data package).

Create annotations (using Scene View tools)

Hold down the Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) key and left-click where you want to annotate.

If the area pointed to by the mouse is part of a Block, the annotation data will be created with its bottom surface tightly attached to the Block model (or the object above it).

If the area pointed to by the mouse is not part of a Block, a pop-up will appear when you click the mouse to select which Block to create the annotation data on. If the root node has GPS information, you can also use GPS data for annotation.

Tool interface description 3

You can choose to create a Cube annotation or a Point annotation, and this type will be reflected in the annotation data (ema file).

You can also batch-create annotation data in space.

When batch-creating, you can choose different annotation types or freely adjust the annotation spacing.

Common shortcut operation instructions

The tool also provides many features. Refer to on-screen prompts when using it. Common operation instructions are as follows:

Single-point annotation mode:

Shift + left-click: Adjust the viewpoint and rotation center to the Block area pointed by the mouse.
Ctrl/Command + left-click: Create an annotation node.
Ctrl/Command + right-click: Display the menu (realign the selected annotation or copy GPS when GPS information is available).

Batch annotation mode:

Shift + left-click: Adjust the viewpoint and rotation center to the Block area pointed by the mouse.
Ctrl/Command + (shift) + left-click: Start/continue creating a batch annotation area. Hold shift to align to the horizontal plane.
Ctrl/Command + (shift) + double-click: End the creation of a batch annotation area (can end early to create a line or surface).
Esc or delete batch annotation area: Cancel batch annotation creation.
Select batch annotation area + right-click: Display the menu (after completing the batch annotation area creation, annotations can be created within the area).

Navigation point graph mode:

Ctrl/Command + right-click: Deselect.

Note

The above Ctrl/Command means using Ctrl on Windows and Command on Mac.
If there is a shortcut key conflict and the original Unity shortcut is needed, you can disable the annotation tool package.

When creating a node (Node) in this way, the annotation data is generated by default at the center of the Scene window.

The system automatically determines the hierarchy based on the scene content: if there is an object (such as a Block) at the center of the window, the annotation will be automatically created on its surface; if there is no object blocking, it will be created at the default floating position.

Select the Block node to be annotated (usually named starting with Block_), right-click and choose EasyAR Mega > Annotation > * to add.

Using Hierarchy View menu1

Multiple types of annotation nodes (such as points, cubes) or annotation data groups can be added. Users can also first select a specific annotation data group and then perform creation operations within it.

Using Hierarchy View menu2

Modify annotation

Annotation data nodes can be named as needed, and the names will be reflected in the annotation results.

Use Hierarchy View menu2

After creation, annotations can be moved freely, and the annotated nodes can be adjusted in position, rotation, and scale. This information will be recorded in the annotation results.

Note that if the position in the scene tree is incorrect (e.g., not under a node starting with Block_), the annotation data will not be exported.

Use Hierarchy View menu2

Manage annotation data

After completing the annotation, you can export the results as an .ema file.
Import prerequisite: Before performing the import, ensure that the corresponding Block resource has been added to the scene. If the target Block does not exist, the import operation will fail.
Scene cleanup: You can use the "Clear" button to remove all annotation data in the current scene with one click.
Import operation: By importing the .ema file, the pre-stored annotation results can be added to the current scene.
Import strategy settings: During import, the system provides two data processing methods:

Merge: The data in the .ema file will coexist with the existing data in the scene.

Overwrite: The system will first completely clear the existing data in the scene and then perform the import.

This option also affects the import method of the annotation data package stored on the server.