Starting today, you can add annotations directly to photos in FieldPulse. This feature is available on both iOS and Android mobile apps, and annotations sync automatically with the web application.

What you can do

  • Draw freehand — sketch arrows, circles, or highlights over problem areas
  • Add text labels — place typed notes at specific points in the image
  • Use preset shapes — rectangles, ovals, and lines for consistent markup
  • Adjust color and stroke width — visibility controls for different lighting conditions

When to use it

Common use cases we have observed in early access:

  • Highlighting specific damage on equipment before repair
  • Labeling wiring configurations for verification
  • Documenting safety hazards with precise location markers
  • Calling attention to installation requirements in tight spaces

How to access

  1. Open any Work Order with attached photos
  2. Tap a photo thumbnail to enter the viewer
  3. Select the Edit icon (pencil) in the toolbar
  4. Choose your annotation tool from the bottom drawer
  5. Tap Save — the annotated image is stored as a new version; the original remains unchanged

Technical notes

  • Annotations are rendered server-side and compressed to preserve sync performance
  • Maximum annotation layer size: 2MB per image
  • Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, HEIC
  • Annotations are included in PDF exports of work orders

The annotation layer is stored separately from the base image. If you need to remove markup later, revert to the original photo without losing your field capture.

For details on photo management and export settings, see Managing Field Photos and Attachments.

Version requirements: Mobile app 3.3.1 or later. Web platform updates are automatic.

Parents
  • Sorry if this is a silly question, but I wanted to make sure I understand — when you save the annotated version, does that count against our storage limit as a completely separate file? Or is it more like a layer on top? We take a lot of photos in our line of work and I am just trying to figure out if we need to be more careful now about how many versions we are keeping. Thank you so much for any clarification!!

Comment
  • Sorry if this is a silly question, but I wanted to make sure I understand — when you save the annotated version, does that count against our storage limit as a completely separate file? Or is it more like a layer on top? We take a lot of photos in our line of work and I am just trying to figure out if we need to be more careful now about how many versions we are keeping. Thank you so much for any clarification!!

Children
  • Hi Lindsey! Great question — the annotated version does create a new file, so yes, it counts toward your storage. That said, we want to make sure you're set up for success with this feature. If storage becomes a concern, we have some best practices we can share for photo management, and we're always happy to review your plan with you. Feel free to reach out directly if you'd like to chat through options!