How do you annotate diagrams in Axogram?

The Annotations toolbar contains the tools used to add and manage annotation elements in your %%Scene%%. These tools let you select existing annotation elements, create %%Flow Lines%%, add %%Zones%%, place %%3D Text%%, add %%Annotations%%, place %%Markers%%, add %%Text%%, and control which annotation tools are visible in the toolbar.

The toolbar includes the following tools, from left to right:

1. Select - selects existing annotation elements so they can be edited.
2. Flow Line - creates flow lines (arrows) in the model.
3. Zones -  creates zone or adjustable shape annotation elements.
4. 3D Text - places text directly in the ground.
5. Annotation - adds an annotation label.
6. Marker - places a variety of markers in the model.
7. Text -  adds a text annotation to the screen. The position is static.
8. Set tool visibility -  shows or hides tools in the annotations toolbar.

Most annotation tools follow the same basic workflow. First, choose the tool you want to use, then place or draw the annotation element in the model. After the element has been created, press #Enter# to finish the action.

To edit an annotation object after it has been created, choose the %%Select%% tool and select the object in the %%Scene%%. The %%Select%% tool must be active, and the element must be highlighted, before its settings can be edited.  The settings toolbar changes depending on the type of annotation object selected.

After an annotation element has been created, you can use the %%Select%% tool to select and edit it. The %%Select%% tool is the arrow icon on the left of the Annotations toolbar.

To edit an annotation element:

1. Select the %%Select%% tool.
2. Click the annotation element you want to edit.
3. Check that the element is selected (you will see the points on the shape appear).
4. Use the settings toolbar that appears to adjust the selected element.

The settings toolbar changes depending on the type of annotation element selected. For example, a %%Flow Line%%, %%Zone%%, %%3D Text%%, %%Annotation%%, %%Marker%%, or %%Text%% element each displays different settings when selected.

To delete an annotation element, select the element so it is highlighted, then press #Delete# or #Backspace# on your keyboard.

The %%Flow Line%% tool draws directional lines or arrows in the model. Use flow lines to show movement, direction, routes, or other visual paths.

3.1 Adding a Flow Line

To add a Flow Line:

1. Select the %%Flow Line%% tool from the Annotations toolbar.
2. Click in the model to place the first point.
3. Continue clicking to add additional points to the line.
4. Press #Enter# to finish creating the %%Flow Line%%.

After the %%Flow Line%% has been created, it can be:

• Using the toolbar - Adjust the %%Flow Line%% position, style, and appearance (see section 3.2)

• Manually - Add or move points directly in the %%Scene%% via the toolbar (see section 3.3)

3.2 Toolbar Settings

The %%Flow Line%% settings toolbar includes the following options, from left to right:

1. Color - changes the color of the Flow Line. This will bring up the color picker
2. Line type - changes the line style. The line can be displayed as a solid, dashed, or dotted line.
3. Width - adjusts the width of the %%Flow Line%%.
4. Height - adjusts the height of the %%Flow Line%%.
5. Offset - adjusts the distance from the ground.
6. Line start - changes the style used at the start of the %%Flow Line%%, such as an arrowhead, circle, or square end.
7. Line end - changes the style used at the end of the %%Flow Line%%, such as an arrowhead, circle, or square end.
8. Line curvature - changes how the %%Flow Line%% bends between points. The line can use a curved bend, a slight radius, or a square corner.
9. Shadow casting - enables or disables shadow casting for the selected %%Flow Line%%.

3.3 Editing a Flow Line

To edit a %%Flow Line%%:

1. Select the %%Select%% tool.
2. Click the %%Flow Line%% in the model so its points become visible.
3. Use the %%Flow Line%% settings toolbar to adjust the appearance and behavior of the selected %%Flow Line%%.

To add a new point, hover over the %%Flow Line%% until the plus symbol appears, then click to create a new point. This can be used to add another bend to the Flow Line.

To move an existing point, hover over one of the circular points on the %%Flow Line%%. When the point highlights, click and drag it to a new position. The point will glow yellow while you move it, so you can see which point is active. Dragging a point lets you adjust its position side to side and move it up or down manually without using the settings toolbar.

The %%Zones%% tool creates colored area shapes in the model. You can use %%Zones%% to highlight areas, define regions, or visually mark specific spaces on the horizontal plane.

4.1 Adding a Zone

To add a Zone:

1. Select the %%Zones%% tool from the annotations toolbar.
2. Click in the %%Scene%% to place the first point.
3. Continue clicking to create the %%Zone%% shape.
4. Press #Enter# to finish creating the %%Zone%%.

After you create the %%Zone%%, you can select and edit it within the settings toolbar.

4.2  Toolbar Settings

The %%Zone%% settings toolbar includes the following options:

1. Color - changes the color of the selected %%Zone%% and opens the color picker.
2. Offset - adjusts the height of the %%Zone%% from the ground. You can adjust the height using the slider or by entering a value.
3. Shadow casting - enables or disables shadow casting for the selected %%Zone%%.

4.3 Editing Zone Settings

To edit a %%Zone%%:

1. Select the %%Select%% tool.
2. Click the %%Zone%% in the %%Scene%% so it is highlighted.
3. Use the %%Zone%% settings toolbar to adjust the selected %%Zone%%.

You can also edit a %%Zone's%% shape directly in the model by adding or moving points.

To add a new point, hover over the edge of the %%Zone%% until the plus symbol appears, then click to create a new point. Use this to add another corner or adjust the %%Zone's%% shape.

To move an existing point, hover over one of the circular points on the %%Zone%%. When the point highlights, click and drag it to a new position. The point will glow yellow while you move it, so you can see which point is active. You can move %%Zone%% points horizontally to adjust the shape of the %%Zone%%.

The %%3D Text%% tool is used to place horizontal text flat on the ground. You can only rotate on the ground axis. After you create the text, you can select it and edit it using the 3D Text settings toolbar.

5.1 Settings for 3D Text

The %%3D Text%% settings toolbar includes the following options, from left to right:

1. Text color - changes the color of the selected %%3D Text%% and opens the color picker.
2. Font - changes the font used for the selected %%3D Text%%. Available fonts include Roboto, Architects Daughter, Inter, Sora, and Sign.
3. Bold - applies or removes bold formatting (not available for every font)
4. Italic - applies or removes italic formatting (not available for every font)
5. Font size - adjusts the size of the selected %%3D Text%%. You can set the font size from 12 to 30. (This can also be adjusted by the scale feature when manually editing)
6. Offset - adjusts the height of the text up or down. You can adjust the offset using the slider or by entering a value.
7. Shadow - enables or disables shadow for the selected text.

5.2 Adding 3D Text

To add 3D Text:

1. Select the %%3D Text%% tool from the annotations toolbar.
2. Click in the %%Scene%% where you want to place the text.
3. Type the text you want to add.
4. Press #Enter# to finish creating the %%3D Text%%.

After you create the text, you can select and edit it.

5.3 Editing 3D Text

To edit 3D Text:

1. Select the %%Select%% tool.
2. Click the %%3D Text%% in the model so it is highlighted.
3. Use the %%3D Text%% settings toolbar to adjust the selected text (refer to section 5.1 for more info)

You can edit 3D Text manually in the %%Scene%%:

• Use the available handles to move the text up or down by using the straight arrow:

• Rotate it on the horizontal plane by using the curved arrows:

• Or adjust its scale from the corner by clicking the white dot:

The Annotation tool is used to add a labeled annotation object to a specific point in the model. An annotation has two main parts: the label and the leader.

The label is the box that contains the annotation text. It stays fixed on the screen.

The leader is the line that connects the label to the selected point in the model. The leader point stays attached to the model. When the camera view changes, the label and leader stay connected, and the leader updates to maintain the connection between the screen label and the model point.

6.1 Adding an Annotation

To add an Annotation:

1. Select the Annotation tool from the Annotations toolbar.
2. Click in the %%Scene%% to place the leader point.
3. Position the annotation label.
4. Enter the annotation text.
5. Press #Enter# to finish creating the annotation.

After the annotation has been created, it can be selected and edited.

6.2 Editing an Annotation

To edit an Annotation:

1. Select the Select tool.
2. Click the annotation in the model so it is highlighted.
3. Use the label settings toolbar or the leader settings toolbar to adjust the selected annotation.

Annotations have two settings toolbars:

• Label settings - adjust the label box, text, icon, and visibility options.
• Leader settings - adjust the leader line that connects the label to the model point.

6.3 Label Settings

The Annotation label settings toolbar includes the following options, from left to right:

      1.  Label color - changes the annotation label color and opens the color picker.

      2. Outline settings - changes the outline style and thickness. You can set the outline to marker, rectangle, or circle. You can adjust the                          thickness using the slider or by entering a value, and also the icon color.

       3. Icon color - changes the color of the annotation icon.

         

         5.  Icon Thickness - increases or decreases the thickness of the icon.

         6. Text color - changes the color of the annotation text.

         7. Font - changes the font used for the annotation text. Available fonts include Roboto, Architects Daughter, Inter, Sora, and Sign.

         8. Bold - applies or removes bold formatting.

         9. Italic - applies or removes italic formatting.

         10. Font size - adjusts the size of the selected %%3D Text%%. You can set the font size from 12 to 30. (This can also be adjusted by the                                                scale feature when manually editing)

          11. Show icon - toggles the annotation icon on or off.

          12. Show text - toggles the annotation text on or off.

 

6.4 Leader settings

The Annotation leader settings toolbar includes the following options, from left to right:

1. Color - changes the color of the leader line.

2. Thickness - adjusts the thickness of the leader line.

3. Shape - changes the leader line style. The leader can be displayed as a solid, dashed, or dotted line.

4. Direction - changes the leader direction or corner style between the label and the selected point.

The Marker tool is used to add a labeled marker object to the model. Markers are similar to annotations, but they do not use a leader line. The marker label stays with the marker object and pivots with the camera, so it always faces the viewer. A marker can include an icon, text, or both. 

7.1 Marker Settings

The Annotation label settings toolbar includes the following options, from left to right:

    1.  Label color - changes the annotation label color and opens the color picker.

    2. Outline settings - changes the outline style and thickness. You can set the outline to marker, rectangle, or circle. You can adjust the                          thickness using the slider or by entering a value, and also the icon color.

 

     3. Icon color - changes the color of the annotation icon.

     4. Icon - changes the icon used in the annotation. You can add custom icons by selecting an SVG file from File Explorer. 20 Preset icons                                are also available.

 

     

         5.  Icon Thickness - increases or decreases the thickness of the icon.

         6. Text color - changes the color of the annotation text.

         7. Font - changes the font used for the annotation text. Available fonts include Roboto, Architects Daughter, Inter, Sora, and Sign.

         8. Bold - applies or removes bold formatting.

         9. Italic - applies or removes italic formatting.

         10. Font size - adjusts the size of the selected %%3D Text%%. You can set the font size from 12 to 30. (This can also be adjusted by the                                                scale feature when manually editing)

          11. Show icon - toggles the annotation icon on or off.

          12. Show text - toggles the annotation text on or off. 

The Text tool adds a text object to the screen. Text objects stay static on the screen and pivot with the camera, so they remain facing the viewer. You can use them to add labels, notes, or other written information without placing a leader line or marker point in the model.

8.1 Text Settings

The Annotation label settings toolbar includes the following options, from left to right:

  1.  Label color - changes the annotation label color and opens the color picker.

  2. Outline settings - changes the outline style and thickness. You can set the outline to marker, rectangle, or circle. You can adjust the                          thickness using the slider or by entering a value, and also the icon color.

   3. Icon color - changes the color of the annotation icon.

     

         5.  Icon Thickness - increases or decreases the thickness of the icon.

         6. Text color - changes the color of the annotation text.

         7. Font - changes the font used for the annotation text. Available fonts include Roboto, Architects Daughter, Inter, Sora, and Sign.

         8. Bold - applies or removes bold formatting.

         9. Italic - applies or removes italic formatting.

         10. Font size - adjusts the size of the selected %%3D Text%%. You can set the font size from 12 to 30. (This can also be adjusted by the                                                scale feature when manually editing)

          11. Show icon - toggles the annotation icon on or off.

          12. Show text - toggles the annotation text on or off.

The Set tool visibility button is used to show or hide tools in the Annotations toolbar. This lets you keep the toolbar focused on the annotation tools you need.

Use the visibility toggles to turn individual tools on or off. When you hide a tool, it is removed from the Annotations toolbar. When you show it again, it becomes available in the toolbar.

The Show all option restores all annotation tools to the toolbar.