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What you will accomplish

You will choose whether staff should automatically open the damage annotation tool when they capture walkthrough photos during an event—for example at storage intake or condition inspections. When this is set up well:
  • Intake staff mark existing scratches or dents on a vehicle diagram without an extra menu tap.
  • Managers get consistent photo documentation across shifts—not only when someone remembers the markup step.
  • Services that do not need damage markup (like a quick tour) can keep annotation off while intake keeps it on.
This setting is configured on each event type—there is no separate team-wide default on the Services & schedule page. Turn it on for the services that need it (often Vehicle Drop Off or Storage Intake) and leave it off for everything else.
Walkthrough photos vs photo rulesWalkthrough photo defaults control how the camera behaves during a visit (auto-open damage tool).Photo rules control which photos are required. Set required zones in Configure photo rules.

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When to use this setting

Turn Auto-open damage annotation on when:
  • Your facility documents existing damage at intake and wants staff to mark scratches or dents on a vehicle diagram.
  • Managers want a consistent photo workflow without relying on staff to remember an extra tap.
  • Disputes about pre-existing damage are common—annotated photos protect your team and the customer.
Leave it off when:
  • Most of your event types only need simple zone photos (front, rear, odometer) without damage markup.
  • The service is quick and staff rarely need the damage diagram (for example a customer tour or pickup reminder).

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Before you start

  • You can open Settings > Services & schedule as a team admin.
  • You know which event types use walkthrough photos (often Vehicle Drop Off, Storage Intake, or Inspection).
  • If staff do not see any photo prompts during events, add required zones first in Configure photo rules.

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Set auto-open for one event type

1

Open Services & schedule

In the left sidebar, click Settings, then Services & schedule. You can also go directly to Settings > Services & schedule.Expected result: You see a grid of service cards (for example Vehicle Drop Off, Detail Appointment, Internal Service) plus a dashed Add a service tile at the bottom.
2

Open the event type editor

Find the service you want to change (for example Vehicle Drop Off).Click Set up for the guided step-by-step editor, or Advanced for the full settings page on one screen.Why this matters: Both paths reach the same Photo Documentation section. Use whichever your team prefers—Advanced is often faster when you only need to flip one switch.
3

Find Photo Documentation

Scroll until you see the Photo Documentation heading.Look for Auto-open damage annotation just below the zone photo list.Why this matters: When this is on, the damage markup screen opens right after staff take a walkthrough photo. That one less tap can mean the difference between documented damage and a missed scratch.
4

Turn the switch on or off

Flip the switch to match how this service should behave.Expected result: A short success message appears. The setting saves immediately for this event type only—other services keep their own switches.
Vehicle Drop Off event editor showing Photo Documentation section with Auto-open damage annotation toggle enabled
In Photo Documentation, turn Auto-open damage annotation on for intake and inspection services. Leave it off when staff only need simple zone photos.
Event type editor showing Photo Documentation with required zone photos listed below the damage annotation toggle
Walkthrough defaults sit in the same Photo Documentation section as required photo zones. Set which photos are required in Configure photo rules.

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Set up intake vs other services

Most facilities turn auto-open on for intake and off for everything else.
Example setup for Mega Speed Storage:
Configure each service separatelyOpen each event type that needs damage markup and turn Auto-open damage annotation on. You do not need to change services that only use simple zone photos.

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What staff see during an event

Understanding the on-screen flow helps you train intake and explain the setting to managers.
With auto-open on: Staff tap a photo zone → take the picture → the damage annotation screen opens immediately → they mark any existing damage → return to the photo list.With auto-open off: Staff take the photo → stay on the photo list → they can open annotation manually if your workflow allows it.Neither setting replaces required photo zones. If a zone is required, staff must still capture it before completing the event.
Train staff on the full workflowAfter you change walkthrough settings, run Test an event setup with a real test vehicle. Open the event from Schedule, click Open Event, and take one walkthrough photo so porters see exactly when the damage tool appears—or does not appear.

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Test the behavior

1

Schedule a test event

Follow Test an event setup for the event type you changed. Use a test customer or add TEST in the notes so your team can spot the appointment later.
2

Open Event from Schedule

On Schedule, open the test appointment and click Open Event.Expected result: The event workflow opens with photo zones listed (if photo rules exist for this service).
3

Take one walkthrough photo

Capture one required photo.Expected result with auto-open on: The damage annotation screen opens without an extra menu tap.Expected result with auto-open off: Staff stay on the standard photo list unless they choose annotation manually.
4

Confirm other services were not changed

If you changed only one event type, repeat the test on a second service that should still have auto-open off.Why this matters: This proves your intake service behaves differently—and that other services were not accidentally changed.

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Troubleshooting

The switch is grayed outYou may not have admin permission for schedule settings. Ask a team admin to update the setting or review your role in Settings > Team.
One service behaves differently than othersThat is expected—each event type has its own Auto-open damage annotation switch. Open the service card and check Photo Documentation in the editor.
Staff do not see photo prompts at allWalkthrough defaults only change how photos work—not whether photos are required. Add zones in Configure photo rules.
Annotation opens on every photo but we only want it on intakeTurn Auto-open damage annotation off on every service except your intake event type. Open each card, find Photo Documentation, and flip the switch only where you need damage markup.

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What to do next