Annotations

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:

1. From your model page, click Edit 3D Settings or add "/edit" to the end of any model URL.
2. Select the Annotations panel in the top left.

Creating annotations

To create an annotation:

1. Navigate to the Annotations tab in 3D Settings and double-click somewhere on your model.
2. 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.
3. Enter a title (required) and a description (optional).
4. You can add links, images, and other formatting, if you'd like, using Markdown.
5. 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 (except via the Viewer API).

Titles are limited to 64 characters. Descriptions are limited to 1024 characters.

The number of annotations you can add depends on your membership:

• Users with a free Basic 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 an 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:

1. Set a new camera position.
2. Click on the camera icon for the annotation in the list on the left hand side.
3. 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

1. Click the annotation in the model view and type your changes in the text bubble.
2. Click anywhere outside the annotation to close it.

Or

1. Double-click the annotation or click Edit in the list on the left hand side.
2. Type your changes in the fields.
3. 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.

Here are some great annotated models:

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.

Customizing annotations

Customizing the behavior and appearance of annotations is possible using the Viewer API.