> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.redbrickai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Preview Tool

RedBrick AI's Preview Tool allows you to see how your images, volumes, and annotations are displayed within RedBrick AI's Annotation Tool without having to [create a Project](/quick-start/get-started-with-a-project#creating-a-project) or integrate a third-party [Storage Method](/importing-data/import-cloud-data).
As of `v1.2.3`, you can preview images and/or annotations from either your local machine or any Storage Method you have integrated into your RedBrick Organization.

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# **Previewing a Local File**

1. Open the Preview Tool, located in the lefthand sidebar of the Home Page;
2. Select a file source: **Load from file system;**
3. Within **Preview Tool**, select the image(s) you would like to display or simply drag and drop them into the corresponding left hand window;
4. (Optional) select the annotation file you would like to display or simply drag and drop it into the corresponding right hand window;
5. Click on **View Data;**
6. Use the **Manage Files** button (top right hand corner) and **Replace** buttons (in the dialog menu) to swap out new files as needed;

<Frame caption="Uploading a spine MRI scan and annotations to Preview Tool">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/redbrickai-c2e4bc62/jDLoI89k8kgsoQUF/assets/images/dashboard/preview-tool.gif?s=af6761db2a515ae3a604067b9de62768" alt="Uploading a spine MRI scan and annotations to Preview Tool" width="760" height="480" data-path="assets/images/dashboard/preview-tool.gif" />
</Frame>

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# Previewing a File on your Storage Method

Once you have opened the Preview Tool and selected Load from Storage Method:

1. Select a file source: **Load from Storage Method;**
2. In the **Select your external storage** dropdown, select a Storage Method;
3. In the **List of items** field, provide the partial or full paths for the images you wish to preview, separated by a comma or newline;
4. Click on **View Data;**
5. Use the **Manage Files** button (top right hand corner) and **Replace** buttons (in the dialog menu) to swap out new files as needed;

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# Other Functionality

Please note that you can manipulate images and volumes in Preview Tool just as they would be in the standard Annotation Tool. The following functions represent a non-exhaustive list of features available in Preview Tool:

* Windowing Settings
* Thresholding Settings
* MPR Layout
* Command Bar (and commands such as "toggle Linear Pixel Interpolation", "toggle permanent crosshairs", etc.)
* Oblique Planes
* Horizontal and Vertical Flipping
* Viewport Maximization and Minimization;
* ...and more!

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### Notes on Annotation Files

<Note>
  If you are uploading a segmentation file that contains **non-segmentation annotations** (e.g. length measurements, bounding boxes, etc.), the non-segmentation annotations will **not** display in Preview Tool.
</Note>

<Note>
  If you are uploading a segmentation file, Preview Tool will automatically map the annotations and display them as unique Instances in the left hand toolbar.
</Note>