Videos

With the video editor, you can apply scalable annotations to video data for training AI models.

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Import video data

To learn how to import video data to Labelbox, visit the documentation on importing video data.

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Supported annotation types

Below are the annotation types you may include in your ontology when labeling video data. Classifications can be applied globally, at the frame level, or nested within another annotation.

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Bounding box

To create a bounding box, use your cursor to place the top left and bottom right corners of the shape. By default, the shape will be created in the current frame and all frames following. You can use the annotation toggle (or the hotkey T) to adjust the length of the object instance. To reposition the bounding box, simply click and hold, then use your mouse or trackpad to reposition the annotation on the frame. You can also click and drag the corners to resize the bounding box. Whenever an object is created or edited on a video frame, a keyframe is created, and all frames between keyframes will interpolate.

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AI-based bounding box tracking

To track an object automatically, simply draw a bounding box around the object and then press the Track Object button that appears right above the timeline. By default, it tracks for 10 frames at a time, but you can change it to a higher number or track until the end of the video by pressing the settings button next to Track Object. Watch this video to better understand how to use bounding box tracking:

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Polyline

To create a polyline, use your cursor to place each vertex of the line and click the last point again (or press F to end the shape. By default, the shape will be created in the current frame and all frames following. You can use the annotation toggle (or the hotkey T) to adjust the length of the object instance. To reposition the polyline, simply click and drag each vertex to reposition it on the frame. You can also click and drag the polyline to change its position. Whenever an object is created or edited on a video frame, a keyframe is created, and all frames between keyframes will interpolate.

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Point

To create a point, put your cursor where you want to place the point and click and release to create it. By default, the shape will be created in the current frame and all frames following. You can use the toggle Annotations menu (or the hotkey T) to adjust the length of the object instance. To reposition the point, simply click and drag it to reposition it on the frame. Whenever an object is created or edited on a video frame, a keyframe is created, and all frames between keyframes will interpolate.

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Segmentation mask

Unlike other tools, segmentation masks can only be created on individual frames. Multiple masks may be created on the same frame. To edit a segmentation mask, you can use the add/remove tools in the top navigation bar to add to and remove from a segmentation mask. Segmentation masks cannot be repositioned.

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Pen tool

To create a segmentation mask, click and drag to free-hand draw a shape. You can also click and release to place vertices with straight edges in between.

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Brush tool

With the brush tool, you can use brush strokes to quickly draw a mask. You can change the brush size using the slider at the top. You can select a circle or square shape for the brush tool.

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Frame classification

To create a frame classification, activate the classification question, input the answer value, and select from supported types:

• Radio
• Checklist
• Free-form text

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Global classification

Global classifications apply to the entire video rather than to individual frames, so they do not appear in the timeline. To create a global classification activate the classification question, input the answer value, and select from supported types:

• Radio
• Checklist
• Free-form text

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Video editor components

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Navigating the video editor

Use the progress bar to navigate the video in its entirety, or use the timeline to navigate the current window of the video. The width of the current window can be adjusted from the player’s settings to the right of the timestamp. You can scrub a preview of any part of the video by hovering over a certain part of the progress bar or timeline. Clicking within the progress bar or timeline will bring the playhead to the clicked position. Press play/pause or use Shift + Space to control the playback of the video. The left and right arrow keys can be used to move backward one frame and forward one frame, respectively. To navigate to a specific frame, click on the current frame number, replace it with the frame number you want to navigate to, and press Enter. Hover over the top edge of the timeline or annotations menu, and click and drag to change the height of the timeline.

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Audio transcription

You can now transcribe audio directly within the video and audio editors for both global and temporal text classifications. This feature allows you to record audio and have it automatically converted into text, streamlining your labeling workflow.

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Enable the audio transcription feature

Before you can use the transcription feature, you must enable it in your project’s ontology for the desired text classifications.

1. Navigate to your ontology settings.
2. Select the text classification you want to enable transcription for (this can be a global or a temporal/per-frame classification).
3. Locate the toggle switch labeled Record audio for transcription.
4. Enable the toggle for each text classification where you want to use this feature.
5. Save your changes.

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Use audio transcription in the video editor

Once enabled, you can use the feature for both global and frame-based classifications. Global classifications

1. Select the global classification text field.
2. Click the Record Audio button that appears below the text area.
3. Speak to record your classification. The transcribed text will automatically populate the field.

Temporal (per-frame) classifications

1. Select a frame or a range of frames on the video timeline.
2. Select the temporal classification text field.
3. Click the Record Audio button.
4. Speak to record your classification. The transcription will be applied to the selected frame range.

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Video-specific hotkeys