Annotation toolkit components

When using the Annotation Tool, the Annotation Toolkit package opens 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 toolkit.
Import/export/clear annotation data.
Import method used for importing annotation data (file or annotation dataset).

Create annotations (using scene view tool)

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) 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 adhering to the Block model (or objects above it).

If the area pointed to by the mouse is not part of a Block, a selection will pop up when clicking to choose which Block to create the annotation data on. If the root node has GPS information, GPS data can also be used for annotation.

Tool interface description 3

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

You can also create annotation data in batches within the space.

When creating in batches, you can select different annotation types and freely adjust the annotation spacing.

Common shortcut operation instructions

The tool also provides many functions. Refer to on-screen prompts during use. Common operations are described below:

Single-point annotation mode:

Shift + Left-click: Adjust the view and rotation center to the Block area pointed to by the mouse.
Ctrl/Command + Left-click: Create an annotation node.
Ctrl/Command + Right-click: Display menu (can realign selected annotations or copy GPS if GPS information is available).

Batch annotation mode:

Shift + Left-click: Adjust the view and rotation center to the Block area pointed to 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-left-click: End creating a batch annotation area (can end early to create lines or surfaces).
Esc or Delete batch annotation area: Cancel batch annotation creation.
Select batch annotation area + Right-click: Display menu (after batch annotation area creation is complete, annotations can be created within the area).

Navigation point graph mode:

Ctrl/Command + Right-click: Deselect.

Note

Ctrl/Command above means use Ctrl on Windows and Command on Mac.
If shortcut conflicts occur and the original Unity shortcuts are needed, you can close the annotation toolkit.

When creating nodes this way, annotation data is generated at the center of the Scene window by default.

The system automatically determines the hierarchy based on scene content: if there is an object (e.g., Block) at the window center, annotations will be created on its surface; if no object is present, they will be created at a default floating position.

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

Using hierarchy view menu 1

Supports adding various types of annotation nodes (e.g., points, cubes) or annotation datasets. Users can also first select a specific annotation dataset and then perform creation operations within it.

Using hierarchy view menu 2

Modify annotations

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

Using hierarchy view menu 2

After creation, Annotations can be moved freely. Annotation nodes can adjust position, rotation, and scale, and this information will be recorded in the annotation results.

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

Using hierarchy view menu 2

Manage annotation data

After annotation is complete, you can export the results as a .ema file.
Import prerequisite: Before importing, ensure the corresponding Block resources have 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 from the current scene at once.
Import operation: Import a .ema file to add pre-saved annotation results to the current scene.
Import policy settings: During import, the system provides two data processing methods:

Merge: Overlay the data in the .ema file with existing data in the scene.

Overwrite: The system first completely clears existing data in the scene before performing the import.

This option also affects the import method for annotation datasets stored on the server.