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Pre-Plans: Adding Annotations

Purpose Statement

This article explains how to add, customize, edit, and manage annotations within a Pre-Plan in First Due. Annotations allow users to identify important building features, highlight areas of concern, measure distances, and provide visual information that supports emergency response planning.

Using annotations helps departments create detailed, organized Pre-Plans that provide critical information to responding personnel.

Background Information

The Annotations tool within First Due's Pre-Planning module allows users to place visual elements directly onto a Pre-Plan map.

Users can create the following annotation types:

  • Line: Draw lines to identify routes, boundaries, or other linear features.
  • Polygon: Highlight irregularly shaped areas, building footprints, or designated zones.
  • Circle: Identify circular areas or specific locations.
  • Square/Rectangle: Outline buildings, structures, or designated areas.
  • Text: Add labels, descriptions, and other important information.
  • Arrow: Indicate directions, access routes, or points of interest.
  • Measurement: Measure distances between locations and display distance information on the map.

Each annotation can be customized using available settings, including colors, transparency, line width, visible zoom levels, and Pre-Plan levels.

Important: The Annotations section in the left-hand menu displays annotations that have already been placed on the map. To create a new annotation, use the Annotations (pencil) tool on the right side of the screen.

Required Permissions

Users must have appropriate access to the Pre-Planning module and the ability to create or edit Pre-Plans.

The specific First Due role permissions required to add, modify, delete, and publish Pre-Plan annotations should be verified against your department's permission configuration.

If you cannot access the Pre-Planning module or edit a Pre-Plan, contact your department's First Due administrator.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1: Navigate to the Pre-Plans Map

  1. Click the First Due logo in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select Pre-Planning from the navigation menu.
  3. Click Pre-Plans Map.


     

Step 1B: Access a Pre-Plan

  1. From the Pre-Plans Map, either:
    • Start a new Pre-Plan.
    • Select an existing Pre-Plan.
  2. If selecting an existing Pre-Plan, click Access Pre-Plan to open it.


     

Step 2: Configuring Annotation Settings

Once an annotation has been placed on the map, users can customize its appearance, visibility, and associated Pre-Plan levels.

The available configuration options vary depending on the annotation type selected.

  1. Name
    • Enter a descriptive name that clearly identifies the annotation.
    • Use consistent naming conventions to make annotations easier to locate and manage.
    • For text annotations, include the word Text in the name to distinguish them from other annotation types.
  2. Description
    • Enter or modify the text associated with a text annotation.
    • Use clear, concise descriptions to communicate important information.
  3. Color / Fill Color
    • Select the color used for the annotation.
    • For lines and arrows, this determines the line color.
    • For polygons, circles, and rectangles, this determines the fill color.
    • Follow your agency's SOPs and SOGs when selecting colors.
  4. Transparency
    • Adjust the transparency of the annotation to control how much of the underlying map remains visible.
    • For filled shapes, a transparency setting of approximately 60–70% is recommended as a starting point.
    • Follow your agency's operational guidelines when determining the appropriate transparency.
  5. Line / Border Color
    • Select the color of the line or border surrounding an annotation.
    • This setting is available for applicable shapes, including polygons, circles, and rectangles.
  6. Line Transparency
    • Adjust the transparency of the annotation's line or border.
    • Use this setting to improve visibility without obscuring important map details.
  7. Line Width
    • Adjust the thickness of the annotation's line or border.
    • Select a width that makes the annotation easy to identify without obstructing other map features.
  8. Font Size
    • Adjust the size of text annotations and measurement labels.
    • Choose a font size that remains readable at the intended zoom level.
  9. Font Color
    • Select the color of text annotations and measurement labels.
    • Use colors that contrast with the underlying map.
  10. Shadow Color
    • Select a shadow or background color for text annotations.
    • This setting can improve text readability when placed over detailed map imagery.
  11. Width
    • Adjust the available width setting for text annotations when applicable.
  12. Visible Zoom Level
    • Select the map zoom levels at which the annotation will appear.
    • Annotations can be configured to display at any available zoom level.
    • It is recommended to avoid using zoom levels ranging from Streets to Country, unless operationally necessary.
  13. Pre-Plan Level
    • Select the Pre-Plan levels where the annotation should appear.
    • This field supports multiple selections, allowing an annotation to display on more than one level.
    • Verify that the appropriate levels are selected before saving.
  14. Save
    • After completing the applicable configuration settings, click Save.
    • The annotation will appear in the Annotations list on the left side of the screen.

Important: Not all configuration options are available for every annotation type. Only the settings applicable to the selected annotation will appear.

Note: Text annotations require an additional editing step after being added to the map. The initial Add action places the text on the map without automatically opening the full configuration panel.



 

Step 3: Open the Annotations Tool

  1. Within the Pre-Plan, locate the Annotations (pencil) tool on the right side of the screen.
  2. Click the tool to display the available annotation options.
  3. Select the type of annotation you want to add:
    • Line
    • Polygon
    • Circle
    • Square/Rectangle
    • Text
    • Arrow
    • Measure Distance

Note: The Annotations menu on the left side of the screen is used to view and manage existing annotations, not to initiate the creation of new annotations.



 

Step 4: Add a Line Annotation

  1. Select Line from the Annotations tool.
  2. Move your cursor onto the map. The cursor will change to a crosshair.
  3. Click the map to place the first point of your line.
  4. Continue clicking to add additional points where the line should change direction.
  5. Double-click at the final point to complete the line.
  6. To adjust the line, drag the available control points between the original points.
  7. Use Undo if you need to reverse your last edit.
  8. Once the line is complete, apply the appropriate annotation settings outlined in Step 2.
  9. Click Save.
  10. The saved line will appear in the Annotations list on the left side of the screen, where it can be edited or deleted.


     

Step 5: Add a Polygon Annotation

  1. Select Polygon from the Annotations tool.
  2. Move your cursor onto the map until the crosshair appears.
  3. Click to place the first point of the polygon.
  4. Continue placing points to create the desired shape.
  5. Complete the polygon to open its annotation settings.
  6. Adjust the polygon's shape using the available control points, if necessary.
  7. Apply the appropriate annotation settings outlined in Step 2.
  8. Click Save.
  9. To modify a saved polygon, select it on the map and choose:
    • Edit: Modify the polygon.
    • Clone: Create a duplicate polygon.
    • Delete: Remove the polygon.


       

Step 6: Add a Circle Annotation

  1. Select Circle from the Annotations tool.
  2. Move your cursor to the desired location on the map.
  3. Click and hold the mouse button.
  4. Drag outward to create a circle of the desired diameter.
  5. Release the mouse button to complete the circle.
  6. Apply the appropriate annotation settings outlined in Step 2.
  7. Click Save.



     

Step 7: Add a Square or Rectangle Annotation

  1. Select Square/Rectangle from the Annotations tool.
  2. Position your cursor at the desired starting location.
  3. Click and hold the mouse button.
  4. Drag the cursor to create the square or rectangle.
  5. Release the mouse button when the shape reaches the desired dimensions.
  6. Apply the appropriate annotation settings outlined in Step 2.
  7. Click Save.


     

Step 8: Add a Text Annotation

  1. Select Text from the Annotations tool.
  2. Move your cursor onto the map until the crosshair appears.
  3. Click the location where you want to place the text.
  4. Enter the desired text in the text entry window.
  5. Click Add.



     
  6. The text will appear directly on the map.
  7. To customize the text, either:
    • Select the Edit (pencil) icon next to the annotation in the left-hand menu.
    • Click the text on the map and select Edit.
  8. Apply the appropriate annotation settings outlined in Step 2.
  9. If necessary, click and drag the text to reposition it on the map.
  10. Click Save to preserve the changes and location.

Important: Unlike other annotation types, clicking Add when creating text places it directly onto the map without automatically opening the full settings panel. You must edit the text afterward to configure its additional settings.



 

Step 9: Add an Arrow Annotation

  1. Select Arrow from the Annotations tool.
  2. Move your cursor onto the map.
  3. Click to place the starting point of the arrow.
  4. Continue placing points to establish the direction and path of the arrow.
  5. Double-click at the final point to complete the arrow.
  6. Adjust the arrow's path by dragging the available control points.
  7. Use Undo if you need to reverse the last edit.
  8. Apply the appropriate annotation settings outlined in Step 2.
  9. Click Save.


     

Step 10: Measure Distance on the Map

  1. Select the Measure Distance (ruler) tool from the Annotations menu.
  2. Click the map to establish the starting point.
  3. Move your cursor to the next location and click to add another measurement point.
  4. Continue adding points to measure multiple segments as needed.
  5. Once the desired measurement is complete, choose from the available options:
    • Clear: Remove the current measurement.
    • Save: Save the measurement.
    • More Options: Change how measurement information is displayed.
  6. Under More Options, select the desired measurement display:
    • Total Segment Distance: Displays the total distance measured.
    • Segment Distance: Displays the distance between individual measurement points.
    • Accumulative Distance: Displays the cumulative distance along the measured path.
  7. Click Save to preserve the measurement.

Note: Saved measurements may create multiple text annotations. These labels can be identified by their associated entries in the Annotations list, including text identifiers such as txt.

Naming each measurement label makes it easier to distinguish between multiple distance annotations.




 

Step 11: Edit, Clone, or Delete Existing Annotations

  1. Locate the annotation in the left-hand Annotations list or select it directly on the map and double click.
  2. Choose the appropriate action:
    • Edit: Modify the annotation's properties or geometry.
    • Clone: Duplicate the annotation when the option is available.
    • Delete: Remove the annotation from the Pre-Plan.
  3. If editing, make the necessary changes and click Save.
  4. If deleting, review the confirmation prompt that appears.
  5. Confirm the deletion to remove the annotation from the map.

Important: Deleting an annotation requires confirmation. Verify that you have selected the correct annotation before confirming.




 

Step 12: Publish/Submit the Completed Pre-Plan

  1. Review all annotations to confirm that they are positioned correctly and contain accurate information.
  2. Verify that the appropriate annotation settings have been configured.
  3. Confirm that all required annotations have been saved.
  4. Once the Pre-Plan is complete, click Publish in the upper-right corner of the screen.


     

Best Practices

  • Use descriptive annotation names: Naming annotations makes them easier to locate, edit, and manage from the Annotations list.
  • Follow agency SOPs and SOGs: Apply standardized colors and annotation conventions established by your department.
  • Maintain map visibility: Use appropriate transparency settings, particularly for polygons and other filled shapes, so important map features remain visible.
  • Avoid overly broad zoom settings: Avoid using zoom levels from Streets to Country unless operationally necessary.
  • Select appropriate Pre-Plan levels: Use the multi-select Pre-Plan Level setting to ensure annotations appear on the intended building or operational levels.
  • Label text annotations clearly: Include "Text" in annotation names to distinguish them from other annotation types.
  • Review measurement labels: Saved measurements can generate multiple text annotations. Rename these labels when needed to improve organization.
  • Use the Undo feature: Correct placement errors during annotation creation or editing instead of recreating the entire annotation.
  • Verify annotation placement: Confirm that arrows, lines, shapes, and text accurately represent the intended locations before publishing.
  • Review before publishing: Ensure all annotation information is accurate, clearly displayed, and consistent with departmental standards.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why can't I find the option to add a new annotation in the left-hand menu?

The left-hand Annotations menu displays annotations that have already been placed on the map. To create a new annotation, select the Annotations (pencil) tool on the right side of the screen.

Why isn't my annotation appearing at certain zoom levels?

The annotation may be configured with a Visible Zoom Level that excludes the current map view. Edit the annotation and verify its zoom level settings.

Why isn't my annotation appearing on a particular Pre-Plan level?

The annotation may not be assigned to that level. Open the annotation's settings and verify that the appropriate levels are selected under Pre-Plan Level.

Can an annotation appear on multiple Pre-Plan levels?

Yes. The Pre-Plan Level setting supports multiple selections. Select all applicable levels before saving.

How do I change the shape of an existing line or polygon?

Select the annotation and choose Edit. Use the available control points to adjust the shape. You can also use Undo to reverse the last edit.

Why didn't the full settings panel open after I added text?

Text annotations behave differently from other annotation types. Clicking Add places the text directly onto the map. To customize the text, select it on the map or use the Edit icon in the left-hand Annotations list.

Can I move a text annotation after placing it?

Yes. Edit the text annotation, drag it to the desired location on the map, and click Save.

What transparency should I use for polygon annotations?

A fill transparency of approximately 60–70% is recommended as a starting point. Always follow your agency's established operational guidelines.

What is the difference between Total Segment Distance, Segment Distance, and Accumulative Distance?

  • Total Segment Distance: Displays the overall measured distance.
  • Segment Distance: Displays the distance between individual measurement points.
  • Accumulative Distance: Displays the running total along the measurement path.

Why are there multiple text annotations associated with my measurement?

Saved measurements may create separate text annotations for their distance labels. These entries can be edited individually to change their names, font settings, colors, and visibility.

Can I duplicate an existing annotation?

Yes, where the Clone option is available. Select the annotation on the map and choose Clone to create a duplicate.

What happens when I delete an annotation?

A confirmation prompt appears before the annotation is removed. Confirm the deletion to remove it from the Pre-Plan map.

How do I finalize my Pre-Plan after adding annotations?

After reviewing and saving your annotations, click Publish in the upper-right corner of the Pre-Plan screen.