Annotations are small, clickable notes you can stick on your model. They are useful for adding information to a specific section. Each annotation has a position, a camera position, a title (required), and a description (optional). Annotations are ordered in a numerical list.
You can access annotation tools under your model's 3D Settings:
- From your model page, click Edit 3D Settings or add "/edit" to the end of any model URL.
- Select the Annotations panel in the top left.
Creating annotations
To create an annotation:
- Navigate to the Annotations tab in 3D Settings and double-click somewhere on your model.
- A circled number will appear below the cursor with a text bubble next to it and the annotation appears in the list on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Enter a title (required) and a description (optional).
- You can add links, images, and other formatting, if you'd like, using Markdown.
- Click anywhere outside the annotation to close it.
Repeat these steps for each annotation and click Save Settings in the top-right corner to save them.
Limitations:
- Annotations are not compatible with Camera Limits.
- Annotations can only live on the surface of the model - they cannot float in space. As a result, point clouds cannot be annotated.
Also, the number of annotations you can add depends on your membership:
- Users with a free Basic account can create up to 5 annotations per model.
- Users with a Plus account can create up to 10 annotations per model.
- Users with a Pro account can create up to 20 annotations per model.
- Users with a Premium account can create up to 50 annotations per model.
- Users with a Business account can create up to 75 annotations per model.
- Users with a Enterprise account can create up to 100 annotations per model.
When you create annotations, each one has a unique camera position AND target. You can use this to ensure navigation at each annotation is focused on the right spot.
Updating the camera position
The camera position is saved when an annotation is created. To update the camera of an annotation:
- Set a new camera position.
- Click on the camera icon for the annotation in the list on the left hand side.
- The thumbnail updates to show the new camera position.
Camera movement
Adjusting multiple annotation positions allows you to manage the camera path between them. Notice how the camera pivots around each individual object and the movement between saved views feels more natural:
You can set the current camera target by double-clicking on the model, and reset it by double-clicking the background. The camera target is preserved when setting an annotation's camera position.
However, because double-clicking also creates an annotation, you need to switch between the Annotation tab and the Scene tab to use the target feature effectively:
Editing annotations
Updating the title or description
- Click the annotation in the model view and type your changes in the text bubble.
- Click anywhere outside the annotation to close it.
Or
- Double-click the annotation or click Edit in the list on the left hand side.
- Type your changes in the fields.
- Click Done or click outside the annotation to confirm your changes.
Moving annotations
To move an annotation, drag and drop it to a new position. If the annotation is dragged to a place where it cannot be dropped, it turns red.
Changing annotation order
To reorder annotations, drag and drop annotations by their header, up or down in the list.
Viewing annotations
When a model has annotations, new buttons are available in the viewer.
With these buttons, you can go to the next annotation, previous annotation, or open the annotation menu. In the annotation menu, you can:
- Turn annotations on or off
- Go to a specific annotation
- Start "Autopilot"
When annotations are off, "next" and "previous" buttons still work and move the camera. Plus, when annotations are off, hovering over the annotation menu button will reveal the annotations.
Autopilot mode will move through annotations at a default speed.
To read an annotation, you can:
- Click on an annotation
- Use the "next" and "previous" buttons
- Click on a specific annotation in the annotation menu
Here are some great annotated models:
Show/Hide Annotations by Default
There is always the option for Sketchfab users to hide or show all annotations in the bottom section of your model viewer.
However, as the model owner, you can choose the default option (show or hide) in 3D Settings by choosing either Show annotations or Hide annotations in the bottom section of the viewer and clicking Save View in the top-left corner of the viewer.
Link directly to an annotation
If you'd like to share a link directly to an annotation in your model, you can add the parameter ?annotation=x to the model URL, where x should be replace by the number of the annotation.
For example, the model below was embedded with the autostart and annotation parameters embedded into the model URL:
https://sketchfab.com/models/19257ce8ab3b4f9fa9670fc6ebad6b9c/embed?annotation=4&autostart=1
Saving annotations
Once you've made your adjustments, including position and orientation, be sure to update your model's thumbnail image and default position with Save View and/or save your changes with Save Settings. You can return to your model by clicking either the model's name or Exit.
Deleting annotations
To delete an annotation, click the trash can icon of an annotation in the Annotations tab on the left hand side of the 3D Settings screen.
Comments
57 comments
Why is not possible the make a reference for another modell on sketchfab in the annotations? It will be a very usefull - killer feature - for presentation of huge modells!
@SilaS - you could include the short link to another model in an annotation, like this: https://skfb.ly/ArGr
That was my question, on the killer features note it would be great to click on an annotation and launch into a sectional or interior view of a building
@moliorarchitects - Thanks for the feedback. Features like that are definitely on our roadmap for the future. At the moment, it's possible with the current Annotations feature to save camera locations for specific views. Check out some virtual tours here: https://sketchfab.com/gerpho
I'm Having language errors there. Polish font's are being badly displayed? Is there any way around it?
@dedend - Is the problem with specific characters? Can you show me what it looks like vs. what it should look like? Feel free to email me: support@sketchfab.com
hello I think annotations are very important for the kind of clients we have, do you have in plan to make them more customizable or with the possibility to add also picture inside etc...this would be very useful for configurator or interactive demo of tools or museum staff
@spigolo - yes, adding rich media features inside annotations is on our to-do list. For now you could build something on top of the viewer using the Viewer API.
Are there any plans for extending annotations to a kind of "public" & maybe user restricted annotation/comment feature for getting feedback on parts of WIP models from clients / colleagues? I'm pretty sure I already saw it in some web based model viewer, but not sure where exactly. Not something I currently need but would keep in mind for future improvements... Maybe when embedded into basecamp/trello etc or also on restricted client websites it would be a nice way of staying on track with the progress of more iterative model designs... :)
Ok, seems like I mixed up web-based annotation with a new Cinema 4D R16 feature - maybe a suitable inspiration for a sketchfab improvement either way: https://vimeo.com/102543399
@moritzw - Nice, thanks for the link and feedback. For WIP projects or showing clients privately, you can make the whole model Private?
Hello!@James：
Point cloud is not possible to use annotations?
@James - I was suggesting a feature where clients can ADD annotations for feedback loops in iterative design themselves. That was my main point :) Regarding private access, I'm sure you guys already have solutions for this availiable :)
@mark.energy - Not at the moment! One solution is to manually add some meshed geometry to your model, place annotations on it, then make the mesh 100% transparent.
@moritzw - Ah I see, thanks for clarifying. https://matter.io/ has an interesting solution to this (and is currently working to improve it), by embedding the whole annotation editor in their site for customers to use.
Yes, that's what I had in mind. A little database connection for basic comment function by authorized third parties like clients directly in the sketchfab viewport :) Do it! ;)
Is it possible to upload a 3D model, annotate it, and then "click" on the annotations in Google Cardboard so they display when you want them to?
@dcurran - Not at the moment. Annotations + VR mode is something we hope to improve in the future.
Maybe you could activate "Autopilot" to automatically cycle through the Annotations?
@James - Thanks for the response.
Can you activate "AutoPilot" while in a viewer to turn it on and off? I imagine you would you have to activate it before setting it inside of Cardboard and then take your phone out to stop it?
Also one more question, I see that AutoPilot is a default timing but can you change the default time?
@dcurran - Yes you can, and yes you are correct about starting and stopping it outside the Cardboard, at least for now.
To change the timing, you'll need to use the URL parameter instead: ?annotation_cycle=X where X is the wait time, in seconds. See this page for details: https://help.sketchfab.com/hc/en-us/articles/203509907-Share-Models#embed-options
Hey, Is it possible to create or edit annotations? Could not find anything in the API documentation. If there is could I please get the link or some information about it?
@melledijkstra - It's not possible with the API yet, but it's something we hope to implement in the future.
Hey, when I update the position of an annotation's camera, how long it takes until it takes effect? I have a scene with 20 annotations (max amount for my currrent profile), I change annotations' camera/view, click "Use current point of view" then save settings. But when I exit editing and go back to the model, the annotations still have the old point of view. What am I doing wrong?
Hi @urbanid3d - Sorry for the delay!
Are you still having trouble? Could you send me a link to the model? Thanks!
Hi @James, I still have the problem, this is the model: https://skfb.ly/LoUF
@urbanid3d - Thanks. I went in and changed some annotation views and it worked fine. Are you sure you clicked Save Settings after setting the new cameras?
@Mknight13 - When you downgrade, all your existing content will be preserved, but you won't be able to make any edits to 3D settings - it will show an error that you have too many annotations for your plan.
I have a problem with annotations that is not mentioned here : when the trash icon for annotations is not visible, how do you delete it ? ;)
@archeotech Good catch, we'll get that fixed ASAP!
Thank you James !
Is it possible to show annotations in AR mode using the app???
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