Introduction
Welcome to the SnapAnnotate User Guide! This guide will walk you through the various tools and features available to help you annotate and edit your screenshots effectively. SnapAnnotate is designed to be intuitive, private, and fast, running entirely in your browser.
Annotation Tools
Select
Select and move existing annotations like shapes, text, or emojis.
How to Use:
Active by default. Click on an existing shape, text, or emoji on the canvas to select it. Once selected, you can click and drag the item to move it to a new position.
Available Options:
When an item is selected, you may see a visual indicator (like a bounding box). No specific options in the right panel for this tool itself.
Pen
Draw freehand lines on the canvas.
How to Use:
Click and drag on the canvas to draw. A single click creates a dot.
Available Options:
Adjustable size and color via the 'Options' tab in the right panel.
Highlighter
Highlight areas with a semi-transparent color.
How to Use:
Click and drag to highlight. Works like the pen tool but with transparency.
Available Options:
Adjustable size and color. The chosen color will be applied with transparency.
Eraser
Erase parts of drawings or annotations.
How to Use:
Click and drag over areas you want to erase. This removes drawings, not parts of the original image.
Available Options:
Adjustable eraser size.
Text
Add text annotations to your image.
How to Use:
Click on the canvas where you want to add text. A text box will appear. Type your text. Press Enter (without Shift) or Escape to finalize, or click away. Use Shift+Enter for a new line within the same text block. Tip: After placing, use the Select tool (pointer icon) to move this item.
Available Options:
Adjustable font size, font family, and text color.
Shapes
Draw predefined shapes like rectangles, circles, arrows, and lines.
How to Use:
Select the desired shape type (Rectangle, Circle, Arrow, Line) from the 'Options' tab. Then, interact with the canvas to draw the shape (see details below). Tip: After placing, use the Select tool (pointer icon) to move this item.
Available Options:
Choose shape type, stroke width, and stroke color.
Shape Types & Drawing Method:
- Rectangle: Click and drag to define width and height.
- Circle: Click on the canvas for the center, then drag to define the radius.
- Arrow: Click for the start point, drag to the end point.
- Line: Click for the start point, drag to the end point.
Emoji
Add fun emojis to your image.
How to Use:
Select an emoji from the 'Options' tab. Click on the canvas to place the emoji. Tip: After placing, use the Select tool (pointer icon) to move this item.
Available Options:
Choose emoji type and adjust its size.
Crop
Crop the image to a selected area.
How to Use:
Click and drag on the canvas to define the crop area. Use the handles to adjust the selection. Click 'Apply Crop' in the 'Options' tab to finalize, or 'Cancel Selection'.
Available Options:
Apply or cancel the current crop selection.
Blur
Blur parts of the image to obscure information.
How to Use:
Click and drag over the areas you want to blur.
Available Options:
Adjustable brush size (area of effect) and blur intensity.
Color Picker
Pick a color from the canvas.
How to Use:
Click anywhere on the canvas (image or drawings). The Pen tool will be automatically activated with the selected color.
Available Options:
No direct options; it sets the color for other tools.
Hand Tool
Pan or move your view of the canvas.
How to Use:
Click and drag on the canvas to move the entire view if it's larger than the visible area. You can also hold the Spacebar to temporarily activate this tool.
Available Options:
No specific options.
Zoom
Zoom in or out of the canvas.
How to Use:
Click on the canvas to zoom in. Hold Shift or Alt and click to zoom out. The zoom will center on your cursor. Alternatively, use the zoom controls (buttons, slider, input field) above the canvas.
Available Options:
No specific options for the tool itself, but global zoom controls are available.
General Tips
Importing Images
- Drag & Drop: Drag an image file from your computer directly onto the canvas area.
- Paste from Clipboard: Copy an image (e.g., using PrtScn or a snipping tool) and paste it with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V) onto the canvas.
- Import Button: Use the "Import Image" button located in the left Tool Panel.
Exporting & Saving
All export options are available in the "Export" tab in the right panel.
- Save as PNG: Exports the current canvas (with annotations) as a PNG file. Ideal for graphics with transparency.
- Save as JPG: Exports as a JPG file. You can adjust the quality (10-100%). Lower quality means smaller file size.
- Copy to Clipboard: Copies the current canvas to your system clipboard. You can then paste it into other applications.
- Print / Save as PDF: Opens your browser's print dialog, allowing you to print the image or save it as a PDF.
By default, exports will crop to the bounds of the original image if one is loaded. If drawing on a blank canvas, it exports the visible canvas area.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Undo: Ctrl+Z (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Z (Mac)
- Redo: Ctrl+Y (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+Z (Mac)
- Temporary Pan Tool: Hold Spacebar.
- Zoom Tool (Zoom Out): While Zoom tool is active, hold Shift or Alt and click to zoom out.
- Text Tool (New Line): While typing with Text tool, press Shift+Enter for a new line.
- Text Tool (Finalize): While typing with Text tool, press Enter (without Shift), Escape, or click away from the text area.
Editor Settings
Access editor settings by clicking the "Settings" button (gear icon) at the bottom of the left Tool Panel. Here you can:
- Choose your preferred appearance: Light, Dark, or System (which respects your operating system's theme).
- Set default colors and sizes for various tools (Pen, Highlighter, Text, Shapes, Eraser, Blur, Emoji).
- Configure default export format (PNG/JPG) and default JPG quality.
- Change the canvas background style when no image is loaded (Checkerboard, Light, Dark).
Your preferences are saved locally in your browser.