Photos and Annotations
Photographs are one of the most important parts of a snag record. They help identify the issue clearly, support follow-up actions and improve the quality of the final report.
Good snag photos should be:
- clear
- well framed
- close enough to show the issue
- wide enough to show context where needed
- checked before you move on
Adding photos
Photos can be added to a snag as part of the snag detail or snag creation process.
Depending on the situation, you may be able to:
- take a new photo in the app
- choose one or more photos from your photo library
It is generally better to add photos at the time of inspection rather than trying to match them later.
What makes a useful inspection photo
- Show the defect clearly
- Include surrounding context where that helps identify the location
- Take a second wider shot if the close-up lacks context
- Avoid blurred or poorly lit images where possible
- Check that the issue is actually visible before saving
Annotating photos
Snaglite allows you to annotate photos so the defect is easier to identify. This is useful where the issue might otherwise be missed in a report image.
Similar markup tools may also be available in attachment areas, including for PDF files, so supporting documents can be annotated in the same general way as snag images.
Typical annotation uses include:
- circling a defect
- drawing a line or arrow to the affected point
- marking a small or visually unclear issue
- making the report image quicker to understand
Shape recognition
Where shape recognition is available, pause briefly at the end of the stroke to allow the shape to snap into place.
Tip
If the shape does not snap correctly, redraw it more deliberately and pause again at the end.
Shape recognition is intended to improve neatness, but it may not interpret every hand-drawn mark perfectly every time.
Using annotations well
- Keep annotations simple
- Use one clear mark rather than several unnecessary ones
- Do not cover the defect itself if that would reduce clarity
- Check the final image before saving
- Use annotation only where it adds value
Primary or preferred photo
Where several photos are attached to a snag, one image may be more suitable than the others as the main reference image. Choose the clearest and most useful image where that option is available.
Good practice
- Take the photo before leaving the area
- Use both context shots and close-up shots where needed
- Annotate only where the issue is not obvious enough without it
- Review saved images to make sure they support the snag properly
- Do not rely on memory to explain a weak or unclear image later