Annotations & Export

The annotation tool turns your gate design into a professional fabrication drawing with dimensions, spec blocks, arrows, and labels. Export in five formats.

Opening the Annotation Tool

From the Dashboard

Click the annotation icon on any saved design card to open it in the annotation tool.

From the Designer

After saving a design, click the Annotate button to switch to the annotation view.

Auto-Generated Content

When you open the annotation tool, several elements are automatically generated from your gate configuration:

Auto Dimensions

Dimension lines are automatically placed for key measurements:

Overall width
Panel widths (for multi-panel designs)
Base height (frame height)
Total height with arch (if applicable)
Right-side height
Post height
Post-to-post distance
Picket size and spacing

Spec Block

A specification block is auto-generated in the right margin showing:

Gate type (e.g., "Single Swing Gate")
Opening dimensions (post-to-post width x height, including hinge widths)
Frame sizes (top/bottom and sides, noting "sq" for square tubing)
Picket specs (size at spacing O.C.)
Post info (size and height)
Rail sizes
Hinge info (if applicable)

Double-click the spec block to edit the text directly.

Dimension Mode (Basic / Full)

Use the Dims: Basic / Full toggle in the toolbar to control how many auto-generated dimensions appear:

Basic — key structural dimensions only (overall width, panel widths, heights, post-to-post, picket size and spacing)
Full — all computed dimensions from the design

Switching modes regenerates auto-generated dimensions while preserving any custom dimensions you drew manually.

Grade Line

Click the Add Grade Line button in the toolbar to add a dashed grade line representing the ground level. You can grab the grade line to move it and rotate it to match sloped terrain.

Annotation Tools

Use the toolbar at the top to add custom annotations. The available tools are:

Select Tool

Click to select any annotation. Once selected, you can move it by dragging, or delete it with the Delete key. Press Escape to deselect.

Text Tool

Click anywhere on the canvas to place a text label. Double-click existing text to edit it inline. Use this for callouts, notes, or material labels.

Arrow Tool

Click and drag to draw an arrow. The arrow points from where you start dragging to where you release. When selected, both endpoints show draggable handles (blue squares) for repositioning. Arrows shorter than 5px on release are automatically removed (accidental clicks).

Dimension Tool

Draw custom dimension lines between two points. Dimensions snap to the nearest 1/4" increment. Drag a placed dimension to slide it perpendicular to its axis — extension lines stretch automatically. The cursor changes to ns-resize for horizontal dimensions and ew-resize for vertical ones.

Toolbar Actions

Action	Description
Delete	Remove the selected annotation. Also works with the Delete key.
Reset	Remove all custom annotations and regenerate auto dimensions and spec block from scratch.
Save	Manually save all annotations. Annotations also auto-save 2 seconds after any change.
Export	Go to the export page to download your annotated drawing along with other export options (clean drawing, dimensioned drawing, material list, and estimate).

Zoom

Use the + and − buttons to zoom in and out of the annotation canvas. Everything (gate, dimensions, text, arrows) scales together.

Export Page

From the annotation toolbar, clicking Export takes you to the dedicated export page where you can download your design in multiple variants:

Clean Drawing — gate only, no dimensions
Drawing with Dimensions — gate with dimension lines overlaid
Annotated Drawing — includes your dimensions, spec block, arrows, and text annotations (PDF, PNG, JPG, or SVG)
Material & Cut List — PDF or Excel
Project Estimate — PDF or Excel

Drawing exports are available in PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG, and DXF. The annotated drawing supports PDF, PNG, JPG, and SVG (no DXF).

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