Birdi's Annotation Report turns any set of annotations on your map into a clean, branded PDF you can hand straight to a client or stakeholder. In a couple of clicks it compiles your measurements into a single document that captures:
an overview with a snapshot of your map layer and dataset metadata,
an annotation coverage overview with headline stats and a breakdown by type,
a full measurement summary table with quick links back into the map, and
per-annotation detail pages showing geometry, measured values, spatial context and any notes you've added.
It works across all your annotation types — areas, markers, lines, polygons, circles, rectangles and volumetrics — and you can mix them all into a single report.
The report reads from whatever layer you have visible at export time. It works on the base map (for example, annotations sitting on a satellite layer), but you'll get the most value running it over an orthomosaic, DEM or hillshade.
Available on Growth & Ultimate Plans only
When to use an annotation report
Use the annotation report when you need a portable, professional record of what you've measured on the map:
Mining and resources — stockpile and pit measurements, haul-road lengths, site features and area take-offs for handover or reporting.
Construction — progress reporting, area-of-interest summaries, quantity take-offs, defect and inspection records, and client updates.
Any drone or survey organisation — a branded deliverable that packages measurements, coordinates and context into one shareable PDF.
Tip: If annotations were created in bulk with AI Detect (sometimes thousands at once), you can report on the whole set in one export by running the report at folder level.
Before you start
You need a map with at least one annotation on it.
If you have access to branding and have uploaded your own logo, it will replace the Birdi logo on the report cover.
To export in imperial units, set this before generating — see the units note at the end of this article.
How to export an annotation report
You can generate a report from a single annotation, a selection, a folder, or multiple folders. Choose whichever matches your data.
1. Get your annotations ready
Make sure the annotations you want are on your map, and set the layer you want as the report backdrop (ortho, DEM, hillshade or base map) to visible.
Ensure the visibility of the annotation layers and map layer you want in the report are set on and you can see them on the map
Tip: The report crops to cover your annotation extent. If you want the whole map in the overview image, draw a bounding area (polygon or rectangle) around the full map, then lower its opacity so your other annotations stay the focus.
2. Choose what to include
You have a few options, all of which produce the same report:
A single annotation — select it in the layers tree on the left, then either click the three dots (…) and choose Export annotation report (PDF), or right-click the annotation and choose the same option.
A selection of annotations — Shift+select any annotations from anywhere in the layers tree, then right-click and choose Export annotation report.
A folder — right-click a folder of annotations (for example one named Annotations, Rooftop examples or Volumetric layers) and choose Export annotation report. This is ideal for large AI Detect outputs.
A folder | A single annotation | A selection of annotations |
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Multiple folders — Shift+select the annotation folders, right-click and choose Export annotation report. You can combine areas, markers, lines and volumetrics from across folders into one report.
From table view — with a folder or single annotation open in the Table view (from the layers toolbox on the right), use the Export button and choose Export annotation report as PDF.
3. Let the report generate
Birdi will generate the PDF in the background. When it's ready, it appears as the top layer in your layers tree.
Tip: Keep your reports tidy by grouping them into a folder called Reports.
4. Download and manage the report
Download — select the download icon on the right-hand side, or right-click the report. Depending on your browser settings this opens in a new tab or downloads straight to your desktop.
Other options (right-click or the three dots): Open in a new tab, Duplicate, Move to a folder, Rename, and Add marker location — drop a marker on the map to pin the report to a specific building or area, which is handy when you're sharing the map and want reports to show as interactive PDF icons.
Delete — you can delete a report, but note this is permanent. To get it back you'll need to regenerate it.
What's in the report
Your PDF is organised into the following sections:
Cover page — shows the report title, date created, created by, and your workspace logo if branding is configured (otherwise the Birdi logo). |
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Overview — a snapshot of the map layer you had visible at export, cropped to your annotation extent, plus dataset metadata: source layer, capture/processed dates, platform and sensor, CRS, ground sample distance, linear unit, survey accuracy and reference surfaces. These fields are read from the layer's metadata — if data is missing from processing or you brought your own layer, some fields may show as Unknown.
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Annotation coverage overview — headline stats (total annotations, measurement types, surveyed extent, total measured volume, area and linear distance) and a breakdown by annotation type. |
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Measurement summary — a full table of every annotation with names, types, colours and measurements. The URL at the top of the report links straight back into the map; the links in the table jump to each individual annotation so you can edit it. |
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Measurement details — one record per annotation: geometry, measured values with units, spatial context (coordinates/centroid) and any annotation notes you've added. A new section is created for each annotation in the report. |
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Methodology & notes — a closing page explaining how measurements are calculated and their reliance on the accuracy of your source data. |
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Switching to imperial units
If you need your report in imperial rather than metric, set this before generating:
Open the Settings menu (top right).
Set base units to Imperial.
Generate your report — all measurements and details will now be in imperial.
Note: Units reflect your project or user settings at the time of export, so change them first.
Best practice tips
Set your backdrop first — make the ortho, DEM or hillshade you want visible before exporting, since the report captures whatever layer is showing.
Add notes to your annotations — notes flow through to the detail pages and make the report far more useful.
Use a bounding area with reduced opacity if you want the whole map shown in the overview.
Group by folder to report on large or AI-generated annotation sets in one go.
Brand your workspace so your logo appears on the cover automatically.
Re-export after changes — reports are point-in-time, so regenerate to capture new or edited annotations.
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