Highlighter Documentation

Video Labelling Shortcuts, Tools and Tips

Master video annotation with these essential shortcuts, tools, and productivity tips for Highlighter's video labelling interface.

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Spacebar: Play/pause video
  • Left/Right arrows: Frame-by-frame navigation
  • Shift + Left/Right: Jump 1 second
  • Home/End: Go to start/end of video
  • J/K/L: Reverse/pause/forward (industry standard)

Annotation Tools

  • B: Bounding box tool
  • P: Polygon tool
  • S: Segmentation tool
  • E: Erase tool
  • Esc: Cancel current annotation

Workflow Controls

  • Save button: Save current work
  • Ctrl + Z: Undo last action
  • Ctrl + Y: Redo action
  • Tab: Switch between objects
  • Enter: Confirm current annotation

Annotation Tools

Bounding Box Tool

Use for object detection tasks. Click and drag to create rectangular annotations around objects of interest.

Best Practices:

  • Keep boxes tight around objects
  • Include all visible parts of the object
  • Avoid overlapping unless necessary

Polygon Tool

Ideal for irregular shapes and precise object boundaries.

Best Practices:

  • Use minimum points necessary for accuracy
  • Close polygons by clicking on the first point
  • Use smooth, flowing lines for natural objects

Auto-Segmentation Tool

Leverage AI-assisted segmentation for complex shapes.

Best Practices:

  • Start with clear, high-contrast objects
  • Refine AI suggestions manually when needed
  • Use the brush tool for fine-tuning

Productivity Tips

Efficient Workflow

  1. Preview First: Scan through the entire video before starting
  2. Consistency: Maintain consistent annotation standards
  3. Save Frequently: Use Ctrl+S regularly to avoid data loss
  4. Batch Similar Objects: Annotate similar objects in sequence

Quality Control

  • Review Mode: Use review mode to check completed annotations
  • Validation: Verify annotations meet quality standards
  • Feedback Loop: Use assessment workflows for continuous improvement

Timeline Navigation

  • Use the timeline scrubber for quick navigation
  • Set keyframes at important scenes
  • Use markers for complex sequences

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Video Won't Load

  • Check video format compatibility
  • Ensure stable internet connection
  • Try refreshing the browser

Annotations Not Saving

  • Verify write permissions
  • Check available storage space
  • Ensure proper workflow configuration

Performance Issues

  • Close unnecessary browser tabs
  • Use Chrome or Firefox for best performance
  • Consider reducing video resolution for complex annotations

Getting Help

← Upload a Local Dataset via the CLI
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