Annotation Tool

boxout

In making the switch from iOS to GrapheneOS, I am constantly looking for alternatives to some features from iOS which were quite useful.

One I have not been able to resolve is the ability to annotate images on the fly effectively using open source apps. This could be due to my own ignorance or that these tools don't exist. The ones that do only allow me to insert text or draw (very crooked) lines.

I would love a tool, possibly included in a gallery app, that will allow me to make these colored boxes and other shapes on images just taken with the camera or screenshots.

I wanted to avoid traditional full blown photoshop apps for this minor task because of the same reasons I moved to GraphenOS, and limiting extra clicks.

Recommendations?

https://imgur.com/Gh3aCdK

treequell

boxout Hi there! I like using annotations when I send images to friends on Signal. Signal provides a built-in annotator which I use.

I am not sure what the best standalone app for editing images is because I have never looked. I guess you could always share to Signal as 'Note to Self' and edit there in Signal.

boxout

treequell vky17 Thank you both for the suggestions.

Signal/Molly - I didn't think of this but good idea. The limitation is that I didn't see a way to add shapes such as boxes or circles, only a draw feature. This draw feature is also in the Simple Gallery app already which would limit a step as compared to the Signal method.

Simple Gallery - This gallery has a draw tool, but also no shape options. This is my current photo Gallery as well.

Google Photo - This may be a viable option but I am not willing to use it. I already installed Google Camera, Google Maps and Gboard. I don't want a GrapheneOS phone with all google apps because at a certain point this defeats my purpose. I appreciate the suggestion though.

Does anyone else have any recommendations for my very niche request?

vky17

~~Try Simple Gallery Pro, which is open source.~~
Try Google Photo without network permission.
However, it is not open source.

treequell

How about the open source app Pocket Paint? I have seen it mentioned on privacyguides.org and you can add shapes with that app.

https://github.com/Catrobat/Paintroid

boxout

treequell Thank you! Paintroid does exactly what I need, I really appreciate the recommendation and will be using this.

If anyone knows of a gallery app that perform more advanced annotations beyond just draw and text (ie blur effect, shapes etc) please let me know your recommendations as well.

Native GraphenOS Gallery App - This app allows draw annotations, and there is a part that would appear to allow you to select a shape, but it does nothing when clicked. GOS Gallery App > Select Image > Select 'misaligned' square > Draw > Tap 'Color' > Select Style = No function. Leaving as a reference should anyone stumble on this later.

treequell

You're welcome! For blurring of images I know of another open source app PrivacyBlur

https://privacyblur.app/