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Before annotating, you need to understand what is in your data. Avala’s data exploration tools let you browse datasets, navigate recordings with synchronized multi-panel playback, switch between visualization modes to inspect different aspects of sensor data, and filter items to find exactly the frames you need.

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Browsing Datasets and Sequences

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Dataset List

The Datasets page shows all datasets in your organization. Each entry displays the dataset name, data type, item count, and last-modified date. Navigate the list with:

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Sequence View

Datasets that contain temporal data (video, MCAP, point cloud sequences) group items into sequences. Opening a dataset shows its sequences, each representing a continuous recording or collection run. Click a sequence to open it in the multi-sensor viewer, where all items in the sequence are laid out on the timeline. Once inside a recording, the multi-sensor viewer provides full playback and inspection controls.

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Timeline Navigation

The timeline bar at the bottom of the viewer spans the full recording duration. Use it to:
  • Play/pause continuous playback at adjustable speeds (0.25x to 4x)
  • Step frame-by-frame with arrow keys for precise inspection
  • Scrub by clicking and dragging on the timeline
  • Jump to timestamps by clicking the timestamp display and entering a specific time
All panels stay synchronized as you navigate. See Timeline Navigation for the full controls reference.

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Panel-Level Inspection

Each panel supports independent zoom, pan, and interaction while remaining locked to the shared timeline:

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Switching Visualization Modes

The 3D / Point Cloud panel supports six visualization modes, each revealing different information about the same data: Switch modes using the toolbar in the 3D panel or keyboard shortcuts:
Use Image Projection mode to visually confirm that your LiDAR-to-camera calibration is accurate. If projected colors do not align with the underlying 3D geometry, your extrinsic calibration may need adjustment.

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Cross-Referencing Sensor Streams

One of the most effective exploration techniques is cross-referencing data across panels. The synchronized viewer makes this straightforward: LiDAR + Camera: Open the 3D panel alongside camera panels. As you step through frames, observe how 3D structures in the point cloud correspond to objects in the camera images. Enable LiDAR-to-camera projection for a direct overlay. LiDAR + Plot: Add a plot panel for IMU or velocity data. Correlate vehicle dynamics (acceleration, yaw rate) with what you see in the point cloud or camera views. Camera + Map: Pair camera views with the map panel to understand the geographic context of what the camera is seeing. Useful for fleet data where location matters. Camera + Log: View diagnostic logs alongside camera feeds to correlate software events with sensor observations.

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Filtering and Searching

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Query Language

Avala provides a structured query language for filtering dataset items. Use the search bar to write filter expressions. Filter by annotation label:
Filter by metadata:
Filter by slice:
Combine conditions:
See the Query Language Reference for the full syntax, including operators, logical combinators, and supported field types.

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Using Slices

Slices are saved subsets of a dataset. Use them to organize data for exploration: Slices are virtual — they reference existing items without duplicating data.

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AutoTag

AutoTag automatically groups visually similar items using embedding-based similarity. This is useful for discovering patterns in your data without manual tagging:
  • Find clusters of similar scenes (all highway on-ramps, all parking lots)
  • Identify near-duplicates that may skew model training
  • Discover underrepresented scenarios that need more data collection

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Exploration Workflow

A typical data exploration workflow before starting annotation:
1

Browse the dataset

Open the dataset and scan through sequences to understand the scope and variety of the data.
2

Play back representative recordings

Open a few sequences in the viewer and play them at 1x or 2x speed to get an overall sense of the data.
3

Switch visualization modes

Toggle between Neutral, Intensity, and Rainbow modes to understand point cloud quality and coverage.
4

Cross-reference sensors

Open camera and LiDAR panels side by side. Enable LiDAR projection to verify calibration accuracy.
5

Filter for specific scenarios

Use the query language or slices to find items matching conditions relevant to your annotation task (e.g., nighttime scenes, crowded intersections).
6

Define your annotation strategy

Based on what you found, set up your project’s label taxonomy, annotation guidelines, and quality control configuration.

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Next Steps

Multi-Sensor Viewer

Full reference for the 8 panel types, layout system, and auto-detection.

Query Language

Complete syntax reference for filtering dataset items.

Timeline Navigation

Playback controls, frame stepping, and timestamp seeking.

Managing Datasets

Upload, organize, and manage datasets in Avala.