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Pixano

pixano.cea.fr

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Spec score 7.6 #15 of 24 in AI Image Annotation Tools

What it is

Pixano is a free, open-source tool for exploring and annotating computer-vision datasets, including collections of text, images, and video. Its annotation tools cover boxes, polygons, pixel masks, keypoints, cuboids, classification, and tracking; video labels can be propagated across time. Smart features include semantic search using models such as CLIP and segmentation using models such as SAM. Dataset formats such as COCO can be imported and exported, and Pixano uses Lance storage for dataset navigation. Its reusable Web Components can be assembled into custom apps. Pixano documents REST and Python APIs, along with Pixano Inference, a Ray Serve-based inference server with a Python client and REST API. Installation options documented by the project are pip in a Python virtual environment or an official Docker image. The supported Python range is 3.10 or later and earlier than 3.14. Pixano is licensed under CeCILL-C and is under active development, so its API may change. Three-dimensional point-cloud support is described as planned.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Pixano is an open-source tool for exploring and annotating computer vision datasets.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.github.io
Product
Pixano is an open-source tool for exploring and annotating computer vision datasets with AI features.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Intended users
CEA-List describes Pixano as supporting AI developers and applications in areas including manufacturing, security, robotics, and transportation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · list.cea.fr
Deployment
The maker documents installation with pip in a Python virtual environment and official Docker releases.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
API
Pixano documents a REST API and a Python API for interacting with the application and datasets.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The project README directs users to its Getting Started guide and contributing guide for usage and contribution information.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
Pixano is licensed under CeCILL-C.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Headquarters
Palaiseau, FranceRead 28 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
Founded
2020Read 28 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
Maker
The product pages identify CEA List as Pixano's maker; its About page describes the LIST Institute as one of the three institutes of CEA Tech.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
3D annotation
The official site says users can create cuboids and match them to point clouds using geometric transformations.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
AI features
Pixano lists semantic search using models such as CLIP and smart segmentation using models such as SAM.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Annotation tools
The official site lists bounding boxes, editable polygons, pixelwise masks, customizable labels, and temporal propagation of video annotations.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
Custom apps
Pixano's reusable annotation elements are Web Components that can be assembled into a custom app.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
Dataset formats
It supports importing and exporting dataset formats such as COCO.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Dataset navigation
Pixano uses the Lance storage format for fast dataset navigation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Development status
The project states that it is under active development and subject to API changes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Import and export
Pixano supports importing and exporting dataset formats such as COCO.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Inference integration
Pixano Inference provides a Ray Serve based inference server with a Python client and REST API for deployed models.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Installation
The project README describes installation with pip in a Python virtual environment or by running an official Docker image.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
License and maturity
Pixano is licensed under CeCILL-C, and its README says it is under active development and subject to API changes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Requirements
The documented Python requirement is version 3.10 or later and earlier than 3.14.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security and compliance
The pages reviewed did not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
Semantic search
Pixano supports semantic search using models such as CLIP.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Smart annotation
It offers smart annotation components for bounding boxes, polygons, pixelwise masks, 3D bounding boxes, customizable labels, and temporal label propagation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.cea.fr
Storage
Pixano uses the Lance storage format for dataset navigation and storage.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pixano.github.io
Supported data
Pixano supports multi-view datasets containing text, images, and videos, with 3D point-cloud support described as planned.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported Python versions
The project recommends Python 3.10 or later and earlier than 3.14.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open-source under CeCILL-C.
  • Supports text, image, and video datasets.
  • Imports and exports formats such as COCO.
  • Offers REST and Python APIs.
  • Includes smart annotation and semantic search features.

Limits

  • 3D point-cloud support is planned, not available.
  • API changes may occur during active development.
  • Requires Python 3.10 or later and earlier than 3.14.
  • No security certification or compliance standard is stated.

Who it suits

Pixano suits AI developers and teams working with computer-vision data, including applications in manufacturing, security, robotics, and transportation. It is aimed at users comfortable with documented Python or Docker installation.

Verdict

Pixano brings dataset exploration, annotation, search, and model-serving interfaces together in an open-source tool. Its active development status and stated Python range are worth considering before integrating it into a workflow.

Where Specifiction places it

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