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Snapshots provide version control for your datasets. Each snapshot captures the exact state of a dataset — media, metadata, enrichment models, clustering, tags, and labels — at a specific point in time. Restore any snapshot to roll back changes, or clone one to create an independent copy for parallel work. Use snapshots to:
  • Save a checkpoint before re-indexing, enrichment, or bulk metadata changes
  • Roll back to a known-good state after an operation produces unexpected results
  • Clone a dataset version to test different enrichment models without affecting the original
Visual Layer automatically creates an initial snapshot when a dataset is first created. This snapshot appears in the Snapshot Catalog alongside any snapshots you create manually.

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Accessing the Snapshot Catalog

The Snapshot Catalog lists all saved snapshots for a dataset in chronological order.
  1. Navigate to the dataset you want to manage.
  2. Click the Snapshots icon in the dataset header toolbar.
The Snapshot Catalog drawer opens on the right side of the screen.
Snapshot Catalog drawer showing list of saved snapshots

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Snapshot Catalog Fields

Each snapshot entry in the catalog displays the following information:
FieldDescription
NameThe snapshot name. Editable after creation.
Status BadgeDisplays Current Version for the active snapshot, or Restoring during a restore operation.
DescriptionOptional description text, if provided at creation. Editable after creation.
Date and TimeWhen the snapshot was created.
ItemsTotal number of images and videos in the dataset at the time of the snapshot.
Created byThe email address of the user who created the snapshot.
Three-Dot MenuAccess to Edit, Clone, Copy Snapshot ID, Restore, and Remove actions.
Use the search bar at the top of the catalog to filter snapshots by name or description.

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Creating a Snapshot

Create a snapshot to save the current state of your dataset before making changes.
  1. Open the Snapshot Catalog by clicking the Snapshots icon in the dataset header.
  2. Click Create a snapshot.
  3. Enter a Name for the snapshot.
  4. Optionally, enter a Description to record why you created this checkpoint.
  5. Click Create.
The snapshot is saved and appears at the top of the Snapshot Catalog.
Create Snapshot dialog with name and description fields
Snapshots can only be created when the dataset is in Ready status. If the dataset is processing another operation, wait for it to complete before creating a snapshot.

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Restoring a Snapshot

Restore a snapshot to revert the dataset to a previously saved state. All changes made since that snapshot — including media additions, enrichment, metadata updates, and tag changes — are replaced with the snapshot’s data.
  1. Open the Snapshot Catalog.
  2. Locate the snapshot you want to restore.
  3. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot entry.
  4. Select Restore.
  5. Confirm the restore operation in the dialog that appears.
The dataset enters Read Only status while the restore processes. A Snapshot Restore task appears in the Task Manager where you can track progress. The dataset returns to Ready status once the restore completes.
Restore Snapshot confirmation dialog
Restore replaces all current dataset data with the snapshot’s saved state. This operation cannot be undone. Create a new snapshot of the current state before restoring if you want to preserve it.
The Restore option does not appear for the snapshot marked as Current Version, since the dataset already matches that state.

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Cloning from a Snapshot

Clone a snapshot to create a new, independent dataset from a saved state. The original dataset is unaffected.
  1. Open the Snapshot Catalog.
  2. Locate the snapshot you want to clone.
  3. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot entry.
  4. Select Clone.
  5. Confirm the clone operation in the dialog that appears.
A new dataset is created with the name {Original Dataset Name} (cloned). A Snapshot Clone task appears in the Task Manager where you can track progress. The cloned dataset appears in the Dataset Inventory once processing completes.
Clone Snapshot confirmation dialog
The cloned dataset is fully independent. Changes to the clone do not affect the original dataset, and changes to the original do not affect the clone.

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Editing a Snapshot

Update the name or description of any snapshot without affecting its saved data.
  1. Open the Snapshot Catalog.
  2. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot you want to edit.
  3. Select Edit.
  4. Update the Name or Description.
  5. Click Save.

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Removing a Snapshot

Remove a snapshot you no longer need from the catalog.
  1. Open the Snapshot Catalog.
  2. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot you want to remove.
  3. Select Remove.
  4. Confirm the removal in the dialog that appears.
The snapshot is removed from the catalog. Removing a snapshot does not affect the dataset, its current data, or any datasets previously cloned from the snapshot.
The snapshot marked as Current Version cannot be removed.

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Copying a Snapshot ID

Copy a snapshot’s unique identifier for use with the API or when contacting support.
  1. Open the Snapshot Catalog.
  2. Click the three-dot menu on the relevant snapshot.
  3. Select Copy Snapshot ID.
The ID is copied to your clipboard.

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Snapshot Limitations

Keep the following constraints in mind when working with snapshots:
  • Creating a snapshot requires the dataset to be in Ready status. Restore and clone also accept Partial Index and Error statuses.
  • Snapshot creation is blocked while another operation is running — enrichment, media addition, re-indexing, label propagation, custom metadata import, or another snapshot restore.
  • Restore and clone operations put the dataset in Read Only status, blocking all data-modifying tasks until the operation completes.
  • Clone operations run on the new dataset, so they do not block operations on the source dataset.
  • The snapshot marked as Current Version cannot be deleted. Create a new snapshot to change the current version first.
  • Snapshots are available only for datasets created with snapshot support enabled. Older datasets may not support this feature.

Snapshots API

Manage snapshots programmatically — create, list, restore, clone, and delete via the REST API.

Task Manager

Track snapshot restore and clone operations alongside other dataset tasks.

Export Dataset

Export a specific version of your dataset after restoring a snapshot.

Enrichment

Create a snapshot before running enrichment models as a safety net.