Birdi’s annotation tools let you mark up your map and take measurements straight from your orthomosaic, satellite base map or any visible layer. Open the Annotations menu in the toolbar to choose a tool. The tool stays on after each shape, so you can draw as many as you need in one go.
Markers to pinpoint a location
Multi-lines and single lines to measure distances
Polygons, either point-by-point or with Free Draw, to outline and measure an area
Rectangles and circles for defined areas, buffer zones and catchments
A Volume toggle (⇧V) to draw shapes as volume measurements
To change the shape of an annotation after you’ve drawn it, use edit mode. See How to edit annotations in Birdi
When to use annotation tools
To mark assets, defects or points of interest for your team
To measure distances, perimeters or areas on site
To outline stockpiles or earthworks before you calculate volumes
To set up shapes for annotation reports, Table View or exports
Step 1: Open a map
Go to the map you want to annotate.
Step 2: Choose your layer
Ensure the relevant output in the Layer panel is visible. You can switch off the other layers to ensure you only see the layer you want to annotate.
Alternately, select the satellite icon in the bottom of the map and choose this one to annotate on
Step 3: Select an annotation tool
Open the Annotations menu in the toolbar to choose a tool. The draw tool stays on after each shape, so you can keep drawing until you press Esc. While you draw, the nav bar shows the draw tools, a Volume toggle (⇧V) and Exit.
Adding Markers:
Click the marker tool icon or press M (Mac) / M (Windows).
Click on the map where you want to place the marker.
A dialog box may appear to add details such as a name or description.
Drawing Multi- Lines
Select the line tool icon or press L (Mac) / L (Windows).
Click on the map to begin drawing, adding points to define the line's path.
A dialog box will often appear to add or adjust details.
To finish a shape, double-click, right-click or press Enter.
Drawing Polygons:
Select the polygon tool or press P (Mac) / P (Windows).
For a freehand polygon, press Shift + P (Mac) / Shift + P (Windows).
Click on the map to create vertices and complete the shape by clicking back on the starting point or pushing enter on your keyboard
Add details or make style updates in the layers toolbox
To finish a shape, double-click, right-click or press Enter.
Drawing Circles:
Circles are a great way to highlight a central point of interest while automatically capturing key measurements.
Select the Circle Tool
Click the circle annotation tool icon or press C (Mac) / C (Windows)Draw a Circle
Click on the map at the centre point where you want the circle to start.
Drag outward to define the radius.
The circle will display area, perimeter, diameter, and radius.
Edit Circle Properties
Open the Layers Toolbox to directly adjust the radius for precise measurements.
Great for buffer zones, catchment areas, or controlled distance measurements.
Adjust or Move a Circle
Double click or right click the circle in the Layers Tree to edit it.
Drag the circle to a new location while preserving its radius.
Complete the Annotation
Press Enter or tap away to finish editing.
Circles can be styled and customized like any other annotation—see Birdi’s Styling Annotations Guide for more options.
Drawing Rectangles
Rectangles are ideal for outlining defined areas of interest and capturing key measurements such as area, perimeter, width, and height.
Select the Rectangle Tool
Click the rectangle annotation tool icon or press R (Mac) / R (Windows)Draw a Rectangle
Click on the map to set the starting corner.
Drag diagonally to define the rectangle’s width and height.
The rectangle will display area, perimeter, width, and height.Rotate the Rectangle
Select the rectangle, then hover near a corner handle until the rotate cursor appears.
Click and drag to adjust the angle — perfect for aligning with non-cardinal features such as roads, buildings, or boundaries.Adjust or Move a Rectangle
Double click or right click the rectangle in the Layers Tree to edit it.
Drag the rectangle to reposition it without changing its dimensions or rotation.Hover over a side to adjust it without rotating
Complete the Annotation
Press Enter or tap away to finish editing.
Rectangles can be styled and customized like any other annotation — see Birdi’s Styling Annotations Guide for more options.
Drawing Single Lines
Select the Line Tool
Click the line annotation tool icon or press Shift + L (Mac) / Shift + L (Windows)Draw a Line
Click on the map to set your starting point.
Drag to your desired endpoint and release to create the line.
The line will automatically display its length.Edit Line Properties
Open the Layers Toolbox to view measurement information.
Use numeric input for exact measurements or to align with other annotations.Adjust or Move a Line
Double click or right click the line in the Layers Tree to edit its properties.
Drag either endpoint to reshape the line, or drag the entire line to move it.Complete the Annotation
Press Enter or tap away to finish editing.
Lines can be styled and customized like any other annotation — see Birdi’s Styling Annotations Guide for more options.
Drawing with Free Draw
Free Draw lets you trace an outline freehand rather than clicking point by point. It’s ideal for irregular shapes, such as stockpile edges, vegetation, water bodies or disturbed ground.
Select Free Draw
Open the Annotations menu and choose Free Draw, or press Shift + P.Trace your outline
Trace around the feature on the map. [CONFIRM: Do you hold the mouse button and drag, or click once and move the cursor?]Move the map as you go
Hold Space and drag to move the map without breaking your outline. This makes it easy to trace features larger than your screen.Finish the shape
Double-click, right-click or press Enter.
If your outline crosses itself, Birdi fixes it when you finish and keeps all the area it encloses.Keep drawing or exit
Free Draw stays on after each shape, so you can trace the next feature straight away. Press Esc or click Exit when you’re done.
Tip: Free Draw outlines can have a lot of points. To tidy one up, open edit mode (E) and use Simplify. See How to cut, merge, simplify and subtract annotations in Birdi
Step 4: Adjust and Edit Annotations
Click any annotation and hit enter on your keyboard to edit, or delete it.
Use editing tools to modify its shape
Press enter to complete your annotation
You can also edit by
Double click an annotation on the map to start editing it.
Double click while editing a polygon or line annotation to finish editing it.
Dragging a polygon annotation while editing it to relocate it.
Refer to Birdi’s guide on styling annotations for additional customization tips.
Step 5: Save Your Annotations
Ensure your work is saved by clicking off the annotation or pressing Enter.
Step 6 : Share and Export Annotations
Use Birdi’s sharing features to collaborate with team members or export your annotated map for reports and presentations.
Invite team members to review and provide feedback on your annotations.
Adjust permissions to control who can view or edit the annotations.
By following these steps, you can effectively use Birdi’s annotation tools to enhance your mapping projects. From here, you can customise your annotations using the below guide:
For further assistance, refer to Birdi’s support resources or contact us via chat.