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Image Editor

Copera's built-in image editor lets you annotate screenshots and images directly inside any chat message — no separate screenshot tool required. Paste or drag an image into a text channel, direct message, or group chat, and the editor opens automatically with six tools (select, pen, arrow, text, rectangle, ellipse), eight preset colors plus custom hex input, three stroke widths, and a fill toggle for shapes. Whether you are pointing out a bug, giving design feedback, or redacting sensitive content, you mark up and send the image in seconds.

When the image editor appears​

The image editor opens automatically whenever you attach an image to a chat message. After you drop an image into a conversation or paste a screenshot, a full-screen preview opens with the editor tools ready to go. You can send the image as-is, or annotate it first.

The editor is available from:

  • Text channels -- When you attach or paste an image into any chat channel.
  • Direct messages -- When you send an image to a colleague in a DM.
  • Group chats -- When you share an image with a group.

You can send multiple images in one message. Each image gets its own editor, so you can annotate each one independently before sending them together.

Getting started​

Here is a typical workflow with the image editor:

  1. Paste or drag an image into your chat message area.
  2. The image preview opens in full screen with the editor toolbar at the bottom.
  3. Select the tool you need (pen, arrow, text, rectangle, or ellipse).
  4. Draw on the image to add your annotation.
  5. Change colors or stroke widths as needed.
  6. Type your message in the text box at the bottom.
  7. Click Send to share the annotated image.

If you decide not to send, click the X in the top-left to close the preview. Copera asks for confirmation to avoid losing your annotations by mistake.

Annotation tools​

The toolbar has five drawing tools plus a selection tool. Each one is designed for a specific kind of markup.

Select​

The cursor icon is the selection tool. Click it to stop drawing and switch into selection mode. In selection mode, you can:

  • Click any existing annotation to select it.
  • Drag selected annotations to move them around.
  • Resize or transform them using the corner handles.
  • Open the selection menu with quick formatting and delete options.

Use the select tool whenever you want to adjust, reposition, or remove something you have already drawn.

Pen​

The pencil icon is the freehand pen tool. Click and drag to draw any shape or line you want -- signatures, squiggles, rough circles, handwritten notes. The pen follows your cursor exactly as you move it.

Great for:

  • Circling something with a rough hand-drawn loop.
  • Writing a short handwritten note.
  • Underlining a word or area.

Arrow​

The arrow icon draws a straight line with an arrowhead at one end. Click to set the start point, drag to where the arrow should point, then release.

Great for:

  • Pointing at a specific button or element.
  • Indicating a direction on a map or diagram.
  • Connecting two parts of an image with a clear visual link.

Text​

The text icon adds a text label to the image. Click anywhere on the image to place a text box, then type your message. Press Escape or click outside the text to finish.

Great for:

  • Labeling elements in a screenshot.
  • Adding a caption or note.
  • Calling out a specific value like a price or score.

Rectangle​

The rectangle icon draws a rectangular box. Click and drag to define the rectangle's size. The shape can be an outlined box or a solid filled box (see Fill below).

Great for:

  • Highlighting a specific area of a screenshot.
  • Marking a region for redaction or edit.
  • Framing a portion of an image for emphasis.

Ellipse​

The circle icon draws an ellipse (oval or circle). Click and drag to define the shape's size. Like rectangles, ellipses can be outlined or filled.

Great for:

  • Circling a face, logo, or other rounded object.
  • Highlighting a key point with a softer visual style than rectangles.

Color and thickness​

The toolbar includes controls to change how your annotations look.

Color picker​

Hover over the color swatch to reveal a palette of eight preset colors plus a custom color input:

ColorTypical use
RedErrors, warnings, critical issues
OrangeCaution, attention
YellowHighlights, tips
GreenSuccess, approvals, good examples
BlueInformation, links, general annotations
PurpleSpecial callouts, categories
BlackNeutral annotations on light images
WhiteNeutral annotations on dark images

For a custom color outside the palette, use the hex color input at the bottom of the picker.

Stroke width​

Use the S / M / L toggle to choose how thick your pen strokes, arrows, and shape outlines are:

  • S (Small) -- 2 pixels, for fine details.
  • M (Medium) -- 4 pixels, the default.
  • L (Large) -- 8 pixels, for bold annotations that stand out.

For the text tool, S/M/L control the font size instead (16, 24, or 32 pixels). This keeps your typographic hierarchy visible when mixing text with drawings.

Fill toggle for shapes​

When you have a rectangle or ellipse selected, the fill bucket icon appears in the selection menu. Click it to toggle between:

  • Outlined -- Just the border is drawn. Use this when you want to highlight an area without obscuring what is inside.
  • Filled -- The whole shape is filled with the selected color. Use this to completely cover or redact part of an image.

Switching between filled and outlined is instant -- you do not need to redraw the shape.

Editing and rearranging annotations​

Once you have drawn something, you can keep refining it.

Selecting​

Click any annotation with the select tool to select it. A box appears around it, and the selection menu opens with contextual options.

Moving​

Drag a selected annotation to reposition it anywhere on the image.

Resizing​

Grab the corner handles of a selected shape, arrow, or text box and drag to resize. This works for rectangles, ellipses, arrows, and text boxes.

Changing properties after drawing​

With an annotation selected, the selection menu shows:

  • Color swatches -- Change the color without redrawing.
  • Stroke width or font size -- Adjust thickness or text size.
  • Fill toggle -- For shapes, flip between outlined and filled.
  • Duplicate -- Copy the annotation and paste it slightly offset for quick repeats.
  • Delete -- Remove the annotation immediately.

Undo and redo​

The toolbar's History section gives you three controls:

  • Undo (curved left arrow) -- Step back through your annotations one at a time.
  • Redo (curved right arrow) -- Re-apply an annotation you undid.
  • Clear all (trash icon) -- Remove every annotation from the image at once.

Undo and redo work through your entire edit history, so you can experiment freely without worrying about mistakes.

tip

If you accidentally clear everything with the trash button, just hit undo right after. Clearing is reversible until you make another change.

Sending an annotated image​

When you are happy with your annotations, send the image like any other message:

  1. Type your accompanying text in the input box at the bottom (optional).
  2. Press Enter or click the send button.
  3. The image is sent with all your annotations burned in, so recipients see them as part of the image itself.

Because annotations are flattened into the final image, recipients do not need any special viewer or software to see them -- your marked-up image looks the same to everyone.

Common use cases​

Bug reports​

Take a screenshot of a bug, then annotate:

  • Red rectangle around the broken element.
  • Red arrow pointing at the exact problem.
  • Text label with a short description of what is wrong.

Send the annotated image into your bug-tracking channel for a clear visual report.

Design feedback​

Share a mockup and mark it up with feedback:

  • Green checkmarks (handwritten with the pen tool) next to things that look good.
  • Orange circles around elements that need tweaking.
  • Text callouts explaining what to change and why.

This gives your designer a precise, visual punch list instead of vague verbal feedback.

Marking up documents​

If you are sharing a PDF page or photo of a paper document:

  • Yellow pen tool as a highlighter over important text.
  • Rectangle around a key passage.
  • Text notes in the margins to raise questions.

This turns any image into a markup document without needing a PDF editor.

Redacting sensitive content​

Before sharing screenshots publicly or with clients:

  • Black filled rectangles over names, emails, or other personal information.
  • Black filled ellipses over faces or logos you want to hide.

This lets you share useful context while keeping sensitive details private.

Directing attention​

For onboarding new team members or training a colleague:

  • Arrows pointing at buttons they need to click.
  • Numbered text labels (1, 2, 3) showing the order of steps.
  • Colored rectangles grouping related controls.

A well-annotated screenshot is often faster and clearer than written instructions.

Tips and best practices​

tip

Use color consistently across your team. If everyone uses red for bugs and green for approvals, your annotated images become easier to scan at a glance.

tip

Combine text labels with arrows for maximum clarity. An arrow shows what you are pointing at; a text label explains why it matters.

tip

Keep annotations minimal. One or two well-placed arrows and a short text label usually communicate more than a cluttered image with dozens of marks.

tip

Use the Duplicate action to make repeated annotations faster. If you need five identical rectangles, draw the first one, select it, and duplicate instead of redrawing from scratch.

Frequently asked questions​

Can I edit an image after I send it?​

No. Once sent, the annotations are flattened into the image and the original annotation data is not kept. If you need to revise, send a new annotated version.

Can the recipient move or remove my annotations?​

No. Annotations are part of the final image, so recipients see them as pixels rather than editable elements. This is a feature, not a limitation -- your markup cannot be accidentally changed by anyone else.

Does the image editor work on mobile?​

The annotation toolbar and tools are available in the chat preview flow on modern mobile browsers. Touch gestures let you draw with the pen tool, select annotations, and adjust them. Colors and thickness controls are accessible through the same toolbar.

What file formats does the editor support?​

The editor works with all common image formats including PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP, and SVG. Animated GIFs are flattened to a still frame when annotated.

Does the original image get replaced?​

When you annotate and send, the sent image includes your annotations. The original (unmodified) version is not kept unless you also saved it separately before annotating. If you want to keep a clean copy, save it to Drive or your computer before opening the editor.

Can I save annotations to use later?​

Annotations are sent with the image but not stored as a separate file. For re-usable markup, consider keeping a template image in Drive that you can re-open and re-annotate whenever needed.