Annotations

Learn how to create, edit, and manage bounding box annotations in labelWise

Overview

Annotations in labelWise are bounding boxes that you draw on images to identify and label objects. Each annotation includes a label, position (x, y), and dimensions (width, height).

Creating Labels

Before you can annotate images, you need to create labels for the types of objects you want to identify.

Adding a Single Label

1. In the right panel under Etiquetas (Labels), find the “Nueva etiqueta” input field
2. Type your label name (e.g., “person”, “car”, “dog”)
3. Press Enter or click the Agregar button
4. The label is automatically converted to lowercase

If you try to add a label that already exists, you’ll see an info notification saying the label is already registered.

Adding Multiple Labels at Once

For bulk label creation:

1. Find the textarea labeled “Lote: perro, gato, carro” in the right panel
2. Enter multiple labels separated by commas or newlines
3. Click the Agregar lote button
4. All unique labels will be added to your label list

You can paste a list of labels from a text file or spreadsheet directly into the bulk input field.

Label Properties

• Labels are stored in lowercase to ensure consistency
• Each label is assigned a random color for visual distinction
• The color is used for bounding box borders and fills
• Labels persist across your annotation session

Selecting the Active Label

The active label determines which label will be assigned to newly drawn bounding boxes.

1. In the right panel, find the Etiqueta activa (Active Label) section
2. Use the dropdown menu to select your desired label
3. A color bar below the dropdown shows the active label’s color
4. All new bounding boxes will use this label until you change it

You need to have an image selected and at least one label created before you can set an active label.

Drawing Bounding Boxes

With an image selected and an active label set, you can draw bounding boxes:

1. Make sure you’re in Dibujar (Draw) mode (button is highlighted in the canvas controls)
2. Click and hold on the canvas where you want to start the box
3. Drag to create the bounding box
4. Release the mouse button to finish
5. The box is created if it meets the minimum size requirement

Drawing Behavior

• The cursor changes to a crosshair in draw mode
• While dragging, you see a preview of the box being drawn
• The preview box uses the active label’s color
• If the box is too small (less than minimum size), it won’t be created
• Boxes are automatically clamped to stay within the image boundaries

Draw boxes slightly larger than your target object to ensure you capture all important features.

Moving Bounding Boxes

To reposition an existing annotation:

1. Click on the bounding box to select it
2. Click and drag from anywhere inside the box (not on the resize handles)
3. Move the box to the desired location
4. Release to complete the move

Move Constraints

• Boxes cannot be moved outside the image boundaries
• The box’s dimensions remain unchanged during movement
• Other annotations are not affected

Resizing Bounding Boxes

Each selected bounding box has four resize handles:

• Northwest corner (top-left): Cursor changes to nwse-resize
• Northeast corner (top-right): Cursor changes to nesw-resize
• Southwest corner (bottom-left): Cursor changes to nesw-resize
• Southeast corner (bottom-right): Cursor changes to nwse-resize

To resize:

1. Select the bounding box by clicking on it
2. Click and drag one of the four corner handles
3. Resize to your desired dimensions
4. Release to complete the resize

Resize Constraints

• Boxes cannot be resized smaller than the minimum box size
• Boxes cannot extend beyond image boundaries
• Opposite corners adjust automatically to maintain box integrity

Only the currently selected annotation shows resize handles. This prevents accidental modifications to other boxes.

Multi-Selecting Annotations

You can select multiple annotations for batch operations:

In Canvas View

• Hold Ctrl (Windows/Linux) or Cmd (Mac) and click on bounding boxes
• Each click toggles the selection state of that annotation
• Selected boxes have a stronger background color overlay

In Sidebar List

• Click on annotation cards in the right panel under Cuadros de la imagen (Image Boxes)
• Hold Ctrl/Cmd to toggle individual selections
• Selected cards have a primary border and accent background

In CSV View

• Click on rows in the CSV table
• Hold Ctrl/Cmd to toggle row selections
• Selected rows have a secondary background

Multi-select is useful for copying multiple annotations at once or for visual comparison of similar objects.

Copying and Pasting Annotations

Copy annotations to reuse them on the same or different images:

Using Buttons

1. Select one or more annotations
2. Click Copiar seleccionados (Copy Selected) in the right panel
3. Navigate to the same or different image
4. Click Pegar cuadros (Paste Boxes)
5. The annotations are pasted with a slight offset

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+C / Cmd+C: Copy selected annotations
• Ctrl+V / Cmd+V: Paste copied annotations

Keyboard shortcuts only work when you’re not typing in an input field, textarea, or other editable element.

Paste Behavior

• Each paste creates new annotations with unique IDs
• Pasted boxes are offset by 18 pixels to avoid exact overlap
• Multiple consecutive pastes increase the offset incrementally
• Pasted boxes are automatically selected after pasting
• Boxes are clamped to stay within image boundaries

Deleting Annotations

To remove an annotation:

From the Sidebar

1. Find the annotation in the Cuadros de la imagen list in the right panel
2. Click the Eliminar button on the annotation card
3. The annotation is immediately removed

Deletion Effects

• The annotation is permanently removed from the image
• If the deleted annotation was selected, the selection is cleared
• The annotation count for the image is updated
• An info notification confirms the deletion

Deleting annotations cannot be undone. Make sure to export your CSV regularly to preserve your work.

Changing Annotation Labels

You can change the label of an existing annotation without redrawing it:

In the Sidebar

1. Find the annotation card in the right panel
2. Click the dropdown menu showing the current label
3. Select the new label from the list
4. The annotation’s color updates to match the new label

In CSV View

1. Switch to CSV view in the panel selector
2. Find the row for the annotation you want to change
3. Click the dropdown in the label_name column
4. Select the new label

Annotation Display

Each annotation on the canvas shows:

• Border: 2px solid border in the label’s color
• Fill: Semi-transparent overlay in the label’s color
• Label tooltip: On hover, shows the label name above the box
• Resize handles: Four corner handles when selected (only for single selection)

In the Sidebar List

Each annotation card displays:

• Color indicator: Small circle in the label’s color
• Box number: Sequential number (e.g., “Cuadro #1”)
• Dimensions: Width x height in pixels
• Position: X and Y coordinates
• Label selector: Dropdown to change the label
• Delete button: Remove the annotation

Annotation Workflow Best Practices

1. Set up labels first: Create all labels you’ll need before starting annotation
2. Use consistent labels: Stick to your labeling scheme to avoid confusion
3. Work systematically: Annotate all instances of one class before moving to another
4. Verify accuracy: Check box positions and labels before moving to the next image
5. Save frequently: Export CSV regularly to preserve your work
6. Use copy-paste: For similar objects across images, copy existing annotations and adjust