Feature availability 🛈
⭕ Personal ✔️ Suite
This guide will help you get started with asset annotation in Connecter’s AI Studio quickly and efficiently. Follow these steps to set up, run, and review your first annotation:
1. Understand annotation metadata
Annotation metadata consists of:
- Labels: Short tags describing key features (e.g., “modern chair,” “sports car”).
- Descriptions: Concise summaries providing detailed context about the asset (e.g., “A sleek white sports car parked on a scenic hillside during golden hour.”).
2. Prepare your assets
Before running annotations, ensure your assets have a usable visual context, as AI Studio generates labels and descriptions based on that:
- Check previews: Assets need embedded previews, custom previews, or generated previews for annotation.
- Enhance assets with missing previews: For assets without previews, add custom previews or enable dedicated services to generate previews for native formats of host applications like 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and Revit.
TIP: For large libraries, use the Generate Custom Previews feature to create high-quality previews for supported formats and the Auto-assign Previews tool to batch-process the adding of custom previews or assets.
3. Start with a limited scope
Every Connecter Suite free trial and paid subscription includes a complimentary prepaid balance of 5.00 EUR, allowing you to explore the AI annotation feature right away. To make the most of this initial experience, we recommend starting with smaller, controlled annotation runs:
- Select specific folders: Choose a set of root folders with a small number of assets to test annotation performance on a manageable subset of assets.
- Focus on one asset type: Start by annotating a single asset type (e.g., images, 3d models, or materials) to evaluate the relevance and quality of the generated annotation metadata.
Starting small allows you to familiarize yourself with AI Studio’s annotation capabilities and optimize it for your library’s needs before scaling up.
4. Choose the right tool
Connecter offers two tools for annotation:
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Annotation Genie:
- Best for hands-on control or first-time use.
- Guides you step-by-step through library scans, cost estimation, and annotation.
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Annotation Scheduler:
- Ideal for automating recurring annotation tasks.
- Keeps libraries updated effortlessly with scheduled runs.
Start with the Annotation Genie to familiarize yourself with the process. Move to the Annotation Scheduler for regular, automated updates.
5. Run your first annotation
Here’s a simplified workflow:
- Open the Tool: Go to Tools > AI Studio and choose Annotation Genie or Annotation Scheduler.
- Scan Your Library (available in Annotation Genie): Identify eligible assets and review insights about annotation readiness.
- Refine Your Selection: Use the “Optimize Your Cost” section in Annotation Genie or Cost Management in Annotation Scheduler to select specific folders or asset types for annotation and estimate the associated costs before starting a run. Ensure your prepaid balance has sufficient funds for the selected assets.
TIP: Start with smaller batches to effectively test the feature and control costs.
- Start Annotation: Confirm your preferences and initiate the process.
NOTE: Annotation runs process assets sequentially. You can continue working in Connecter while the annotation progresses in the background.
6. Review and organize the metadata
Once the annotation is complete, use the AI Studio Labels Tool:
- Open the Tool: Go to Tools > AI Studio and choose Browse Labels.
- Filter, sort, or remove irrelevant labels.
- Create meaningful tags and aliases for better searchability and asset tagging automation.
7. Optimize your workflow
For ongoing annotation:
- Schedule automatic runs with the Annotation Scheduler to save time.
- Use custom previews generated by you or through Connecter’s dedicated services to enhance metadata accuracy for unsupported formats.
8. Troubleshooting your first annotation
If you encounter issues during your first annotation, consider these tips:
- Missing previews: Add custom previews manually or use the Generate Custom Previews feature or Auto-assign Previews tool.
- Insufficient funds: Add more funds to your prepaid balance to resume the annotation process.
- Error messages: Check the Process Manager for details and resolve issues like unavailable services or failed annotations.