CVAT: Computer Vision Annotation Tool – 2025 Guide

The CVAT tool is a powerful solution for image annotation in the field of computer vision. Computer vision, a research field that involves using machines to analyze images and videos for extracting information, relies on annotated images for training machine learning algorithms. CVAT, an open-source software tool, allows teams to create image and video annotations for supervised learning.

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CVAT stands for Computer Vision Annotation Tool, a free tool for digital image annotation written in Python and JavaScript. It supports tasks like object detection, image classification, image segmentation, and 3D data annotation. The tool has gained popularity among regular and commercial users, especially for developing supervised machine learning datasets.

Developed by Intel, CVAT was created to streamline image annotation for supervised machine learning tasks. The tool accelerates the annotation process, which can be laborious and time-consuming, by providing automatic labeling and semi-automated annotation features.

CVAT can be used online at cvat.org without the need for any downloads. For professional use cases, especially in businesses and enterprises, CVAT can be hosted in the cloud, allowing for integration with governance and operational tools. The Viso Suite integrates CVAT for businesses to streamline the entire process of developing and deploying AI vision applications.

Image annotation in CVAT involves creating labels on images for training deep learning models. The tool offers various shapes for annotation, such as rectangles, polygons, polylines, points, cuboids, and more. The tool also supports annotation import and export in multiple formats.

CVAT is used in various industries for applications like surveillance, manufacturing, business process automation, and industrial automation. The tool can also be used for medical image annotation, supporting DICOM data for medical imaging tasks.

The tool offers automatic annotation features, including interactors for semi-automatic annotation, DEXTR for creating masks, and inside-outside guidance for bounding box-based annotation. CVAT also supports deep learning models for automated image annotation.

Overall, CVAT is a versatile tool for image annotation in computer vision, offering both manual and automatic annotation capabilities. Its integration with the Viso Suite provides a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to leverage computer vision technology.