diff --git a/frontend/src/App.svelte b/frontend/src/App.svelte
index 1ea58f4..53dbc83 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/App.svelte
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@
         <AxisPanel
           state={cap}
           setAxisAngle={session.setAxisAngle}
+          setTape={session.setTape}
           approveAxis={session.approveAxis}
           back={session.back}
         />
diff --git a/frontend/src/capture/AxisPanel.svelte b/frontend/src/capture/AxisPanel.svelte
index 014384b..529b5ab 100644
--- a/frontend/src/capture/AxisPanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/capture/AxisPanel.svelte
@@ -1,58 +1,154 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import type { Capture } from './capture.types';
+  import type { TapeTransform } from './tapeGeometry';
+  import { defaultTicks } from './tapeGeometry';
   import PhotoStage from './PhotoStage.svelte';
+  import { getCropFill, setCropFill } from '../settings/cropFill';
+  import { cropMarginFraction } from '../png/crop';
 
   export let state: Extract<Capture, { k: 'axis' }>;
   export let setAxisAngle: (deg: number) => void;
+  export let setTape: (tape: TapeTransform) => void;
   export let approveAxis: () => void;
   export let back: () => void;
 
+  let cropFill = getCropFill();
   $: maskW = state.source.widthPx > 0 ? state.source.widthPx : 0;
   $: maskH = maskW > 0 ? state.approvedMask.bitset.length / maskW : 0;
-  $: angleDeg = Math.round(state.axis.bbox.angleDeg);
+  $: tape = state.axis.tape;
+  $: tiltShown = Math.round(tape.tiltDeg * 10) / 10;
+
+  const onTapeChange = (t: TapeTransform) => setTape(t);
+
+  const nudgeTilt = (delta: number) => {
+    setTape({ ...tape, tiltDeg: tape.tiltDeg + delta });
+  };
+
+  const setTilt = (deg: number) => {
+    setTape({ ...tape, tiltDeg: deg });
+    // Keep legacy path warm for any callers still using setAxisAngle.
+    setAxisAngle(deg);
+  };
+
+  const nudgeZoom = (dir: number) => {
+    const z = dir < 0 ? Math.max(0.5, tape.zoom / 1.1) : Math.min(3, tape.zoom * 1.1);
+    setTape({ ...tape, zoom: z });
+  };
+
+  const onFill = (pct: number) => {
+    const fill = Math.min(1, Math.max(0.01, pct / 100));
+    cropFill = setCropFill(fill);
+    const ticks = defaultTicks(cropFill);
+    setTape({ ...tape, ...ticks });
+  };
+
+  const fit = () => setTape({ ...tape, zoom: 1, panX: 0, panY: 0 });
 </script>
 
 <section class="panel">
-  <h1>Length axis</h1>
-  <p class="hint">Rotate the rectangle until it follows the slab length. The rectangle sets direction only; you enter length L on the next step.</p>
+  <h1>Tape line</h1>
+  <p class="hint">Drag each tick to where your tape started and ended.</p>
+  <p class="nudge">The black line is <b>fixed</b>: tilting, dragging and zooming the slab never move it. It stays in the middle of the rectangle.</p>
+
   <PhotoStage
+    mode="tape"
     blob={state.source.blob}
-    bbox={state.axis.bbox}
     maskBitset={state.approvedMask.bitset}
     {maskW}
     {maskH}
+    {tape}
+    {cropFill}
+    onTapeChange={onTapeChange}
   />
-  <div class="angle">
-    <button type="button" class="thumb" aria-label="Rotate axis counter-clockwise" on:click={() => setAxisAngle(angleDeg - 1)}>−</button>
-    <input
-      type="range" min="0" max="179" step="1"
-      value={angleDeg}
-      on:input={(e) => setAxisAngle(Number(e.currentTarget.value))}
-    />
-    <button type="button" class="thumb" aria-label="Rotate axis clockwise" on:click={() => setAxisAngle(angleDeg + 1)}>+</button>
-    <span class="val">{angleDeg}°</span>
+
+  <div class="controls">
+    <div>
+      <p class="ctl-label">Tilt the slab</p>
+      <div class="angle">
+        <button type="button" class="thumb" aria-label="Tilt left" on:click={() => nudgeTilt(-1)}>−</button>
+        <input
+          type="range" min="0" max="359" step="0.1"
+          value={((tiltShown % 360) + 360) % 360}
+          on:input={(e) => setTilt(Number(e.currentTarget.value))}
+        />
+        <button type="button" class="thumb" aria-label="Tilt right" on:click={() => nudgeTilt(1)}>+</button>
+        <span class="val">{tiltShown}°</span>
+      </div>
+      <p class="nudge">← → tilt 1° · Shift+← → 0.1° · or drag the ↻ handle</p>
+    </div>
+
+    <div>
+      <p class="ctl-label">Zoom the slab</p>
+      <div class="angle">
+        <button type="button" class="thumb" aria-label="Zoom out" on:click={() => nudgeZoom(-1)}>−</button>
+        <input
+          type="range" min="50" max="300" step="1"
+          value={Math.round(tape.zoom * 100)}
+          on:input={(e) => setTape({ ...tape, zoom: Number(e.currentTarget.value) / 100 })}
+        />
+        <button type="button" class="thumb" aria-label="Zoom in" on:click={() => nudgeZoom(1)}>+</button>
+        <span class="val">{Math.round(tape.zoom * 100)}%</span>
+      </div>
+      <div class="row tight">
+        <button type="button" class="ghost" on:click={fit}>Fit — 100%, centred</button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div>
+      <p class="ctl-label">Crop fill % <span class="sub">global setting</span></p>
+      <div class="croprow">
+        <input
+          type="range" min="50" max="100" step="1"
+          value={Math.round(cropFill * 100)}
+          aria-label="Crop fill percent"
+          on:input={(e) => onFill(Number(e.currentTarget.value))}
+        />
+        <span class="val">{Math.round(cropFill * 100)}%</span>
+      </div>
+      <p class="nudge">
+        settings.crop_fill (default 90). At {Math.round(cropFill * 100)}% the overlay ends sit
+        {(cropMarginFraction(cropFill) * 100).toFixed(1)}% in from top and bottom.
+        The 3:4 aspect never changes. Stored PNGs are not re-cropped.
+      </p>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="nums">
+      <div><span>Tape span between ticks</span><span class="tab">{tape.spanPx.toFixed(0)} px</span></div>
+      <div><span>Scale (once L entered)</span><span class="tab dim">span / L → px/in</span></div>
+    </div>
   </div>
+
   <div class="row">
     <button type="button" class="ghost" on:click={back}>Back</button>
-    <button type="button" class="primary" on:click={approveAxis}>Approve axis</button>
+    <button type="button" class="primary" on:click={approveAxis}>Approve tape line</button>
   </div>
 </section>
 
 <style>
   .panel { padding: 16px; color: #eee; }
   h1 { font-size: 1.3rem; margin: 0 0 8px; }
-  .hint { color: #aaa; font-size: 0.9rem; margin: 0 0 12px; }
-  .angle { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; margin-top: 16px; }
+  .hint { color: #aaa; font-size: 0.9rem; margin: 0 0 8px; }
+  .nudge { color: #e8a; font-size: 0.74rem; margin: 6px 0 0; line-height: 1.45; }
+  .controls { margin-top: 16px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 14px; }
+  .ctl-label { font-size: 0.78rem; color: #aaa; margin: 0 0 6px; }
+  .ctl-label .sub { font-size: 0.7rem; color: #777; }
+  .angle, .croprow { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; }
   .thumb {
-    width: 48px; height: 48px; border-radius: 50%; font-size: 1.6rem;
+    width: 44px; height: 44px; border-radius: 50%; font-size: 1.4rem;
     border: 1px solid #444; background: #1d1d1d; color: #eee; flex: none;
   }
   input[type='range'] { flex: 1; }
   .val { min-width: 4ch; text-align: right; font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; }
   .row { display: flex; gap: 10px; margin-top: 16px; }
+  .row.tight { margin-top: 8px; }
   .primary {
     flex: 1; padding: 14px; font-size: 1rem; border-radius: 10px; border: 0;
     background: #00e5ff; color: #002; font-weight: 700;
   }
   .ghost { flex: 0.7; padding: 14px; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid #444; background: transparent; color: #ccc; }
+  .nums { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 8px; margin-top: 4px; }
+  .nums div { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; border-bottom: 1px solid #2a2a2a; padding-bottom: 6px; font-size: 0.84rem; gap: 10px; }
+  .nums span:first-child { color: #aaa; }
+  .tab { font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; text-align: right; }
+  .dim { color: #777; }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/capture/MeasurePanel.svelte b/frontend/src/capture/MeasurePanel.svelte
index 58b071e..228a611 100644
--- a/frontend/src/capture/MeasurePanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/capture/MeasurePanel.svelte
@@ -84,8 +84,10 @@
 
   {#if !photosReady}
     <PhotoStage
+      mode="tape"
+      interactive={false}
       blob={state.source.blob}
-      bbox={state.axis.bbox}
+      tape={state.axis.tape}
       maskBitset={state.approvedMask.bitset}
       maskW={state.source.widthPx > 0 ? state.source.widthPx : 0}
       maskH={state.source.widthPx > 0 ? state.approvedMask.bitset.length / state.source.widthPx : 0}
diff --git a/frontend/src/capture/PhotoStage.svelte b/frontend/src/capture/PhotoStage.svelte
index 7b003c2..b608c33 100644
--- a/frontend/src/capture/PhotoStage.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/capture/PhotoStage.svelte
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onDestroy, onMount, tick } from 'svelte';
   import type { BBox } from './capture.types';
+  import type { TapeTransform } from './tapeGeometry';
+  import { STAGE_H, STAGE_W, clampTickPair, defaultTicks, lineX } from './tapeGeometry';
   import { fitDisplay } from './fitDisplay';
   import { decodeOrientedBitmap } from '../decodeOrientedBitmap';
+  import { cropMarginFraction } from '../png/crop';
+  import { getCropFill } from '../settings/cropFill';
 
   // Display-only: renders the photo fitted to device width (height capped) plus
   // one overlay layer. All math lives on source pixels, not this canvas.
@@ -14,15 +18,42 @@
   export let maskW = 0;
   export let maskH = 0;
 
+  /** #99 tape-line mode: fixed middle line + movable photo. */
+  export let mode: 'bbox' | 'tape' = 'bbox';
+  export let tape: TapeTransform | null = null;
+  export let cropFill: number = getCropFill();
+  export let onTapeChange: ((t: TapeTransform) => void) | null = null;
+  /** When false, tape overlay is display-only (Measure step). */
+  export let interactive = true;
+
   let canvas: HTMLCanvasElement | undefined;
   let stage: HTMLDivElement | undefined;
-  let imgW = 0, imgH = 0; // source px (oriented), learned once per blob
+  let tapeWrap: HTMLDivElement | undefined;
+  let imgW = 0, imgH = 0;
   let parentW = 0;
   let decodeGen = 0;
   let decoding = false;
+  let focusTick: 'A' | 'B' = 'A';
+
+  // Local editable copy while dragging; flushed via onTapeChange.
+  let live: TapeTransform = tape ?? {
+    tiltDeg: 0, zoom: 1, panX: 0, panY: 0, ...defaultTicks(cropFill),
+  };
+  $: if (tape) live = { ...tape };
+
+  const emit = (next: TapeTransform) => {
+    live = next;
+    onTapeChange?.(next);
+  };
 
   const applyFit = () => {
     if (!canvas || !imgW) return;
+    if (mode === 'tape') {
+      // Photo is sized to the logical stage; CSS transform handles pan/zoom/tilt.
+      canvas.style.width = '100%';
+      canvas.style.height = '100%';
+      return;
+    }
     if (parentW <= 0 && stage) parentW = stage.clientWidth;
     const fit = fitDisplay(parentW, imgW, imgH, maxH);
     if (!fit) return;
@@ -31,7 +62,7 @@
   };
 
   const paintOverlays = (ctx: CanvasRenderingContext2D) => {
-    if (!canvas) return;
+    if (!canvas || mode === 'tape') return;
     if (maskBitset && maskW > 0 && maskH > 0) {
       const off = document.createElement('canvas');
       off.width = maskW;
@@ -62,7 +93,6 @@
       for (let i = 1; i < 4; i++) ctx.lineTo(c[i][0], c[i][1]);
       ctx.closePath();
       ctx.stroke();
-      // The axis reads corners[3] → corners[0], the long side.
       const a = c[3];
       const b = c[0];
       ctx.strokeStyle = '#ff3d71';
@@ -106,19 +136,170 @@
     }
   };
 
-  $: if (blob || bbox || maskBitset) void tick().then(redraw);
+  $: if (blob || bbox || maskBitset || mode) void tick().then(redraw);
+
+  // ---- tape pointer interactions ----
+  type DragKind = null | 'pan' | 'tickA' | 'tickB' | 'rot';
+  let drag: { kind: DragKind; x0: number; y0: number; panX0: number; panY0: number; tilt0: number } | null = null;
+  let pointers = new Map<number, { x: number; y: number }>();
+  let pinchStartDist = 0;
+  let pinchStartZoom = 1;
+
+  const stagePoint = (clientX: number, clientY: number): { x: number; y: number } => {
+    const el = tapeWrap;
+    if (!el) return { x: 0, y: 0 };
+    const r = el.getBoundingClientRect();
+    return {
+      x: ((clientX - r.left) / Math.max(r.width, 1)) * STAGE_W,
+      y: ((clientY - r.top) / Math.max(r.height, 1)) * STAGE_H,
+    };
+  };
+
+  const hitTick = (x: number, y: number): 'A' | 'B' | null => {
+    // ≥44×44 CSS px hit → ~34 stage units on a ~352px-wide stage (wireframe HIT_R).
+    const HIT = 34;
+    const lx = lineX();
+    if (Math.hypot(x - lx, y - live.tickA) <= HIT) return 'A';
+    if (Math.hypot(x - lx, y - live.tickB) <= HIT) return 'B';
+    return null;
+  };
+
+  const hitRot = (x: number, y: number): boolean => {
+    const cx = STAGE_W / 2;
+    const cy = STAGE_H - 26;
+    return Math.hypot(x - cx, y - cy) <= 22;
+  };
+
+  const onPointerDown = (e: PointerEvent) => {
+    if (!interactive || mode !== 'tape') return;
+    (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).setPointerCapture?.(e.pointerId);
+    pointers.set(e.pointerId, { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY });
+    if (pointers.size === 2) {
+      const pts = [...pointers.values()];
+      pinchStartDist = Math.hypot(pts[0].x - pts[1].x, pts[0].y - pts[1].y) || 1;
+      pinchStartZoom = live.zoom;
+      drag = null;
+      return;
+    }
+    const p = stagePoint(e.clientX, e.clientY);
+    const tick = hitTick(p.x, p.y);
+    if (tick) {
+      focusTick = tick;
+      drag = { kind: tick === 'A' ? 'tickA' : 'tickB', x0: p.x, y0: p.y, panX0: live.panX, panY0: live.panY, tilt0: live.tiltDeg };
+      return;
+    }
+    if (hitRot(p.x, p.y)) {
+      drag = { kind: 'rot', x0: p.x, y0: p.y, panX0: live.panX, panY0: live.panY, tilt0: live.tiltDeg };
+      return;
+    }
+    drag = { kind: 'pan', x0: p.x, y0: p.y, panX0: live.panX, panY0: live.panY, tilt0: live.tiltDeg };
+  };
+
+  const onPointerMove = (e: PointerEvent) => {
+    if (!interactive || mode !== 'tape') return;
+    if (pointers.has(e.pointerId)) pointers.set(e.pointerId, { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY });
+    if (pointers.size === 2) {
+      const pts = [...pointers.values()];
+      const dist = Math.hypot(pts[0].x - pts[1].x, pts[0].y - pts[1].y) || 1;
+      const z = Math.min(3, Math.max(0.5, pinchStartZoom * (dist / pinchStartDist)));
+      emit({ ...live, zoom: z });
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!drag) return;
+    const p = stagePoint(e.clientX, e.clientY);
+    if (drag.kind === 'pan') {
+      emit({ ...live, panX: drag.panX0 + (p.x - drag.x0), panY: drag.panY0 + (p.y - drag.y0) });
+    } else if (drag.kind === 'tickA' || drag.kind === 'tickB') {
+      const pair = drag.kind === 'tickA'
+        ? clampTickPair(p.y, live.tickB)
+        : clampTickPair(live.tickA, p.y);
+      emit({ ...live, ...pair });
+    } else if (drag.kind === 'rot') {
+      const cx = STAGE_W / 2;
+      const cy = STAGE_H / 2;
+      const a0 = Math.atan2(drag.y0 - cy, drag.x0 - cx);
+      const a1 = Math.atan2(p.y - cy, p.x - cx);
+      const delta = ((a1 - a0) * 180) / Math.PI;
+      emit({ ...live, tiltDeg: drag.tilt0 + delta });
+    }
+  };
+
+  const onPointerUp = (e: PointerEvent) => {
+    pointers.delete(e.pointerId);
+    if (pointers.size < 2) drag = null;
+  };
+
+  const onWheel = (e: WheelEvent) => {
+    if (!interactive || mode !== 'tape') return;
+    e.preventDefault();
+    const factor = e.deltaY > 0 ? 0.92 : 1.08;
+    emit({ ...live, zoom: Math.min(3, Math.max(0.5, live.zoom * factor)) });
+  };
+
+  const onKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+    if (!interactive || mode !== 'tape') return;
+    const fine = e.shiftKey;
+    if (e.key === 'ArrowLeft' || e.key === 'ArrowRight') {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      const step = fine ? 0.1 : 1;
+      const dir = e.key === 'ArrowLeft' ? -1 : 1;
+      emit({ ...live, tiltDeg: live.tiltDeg + dir * step });
+    } else if (e.key === 'ArrowUp' || e.key === 'ArrowDown') {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      const step = fine ? 0.1 : 1;
+      const dir = e.key === 'ArrowUp' ? -1 : 1;
+      if (focusTick === 'A') {
+        emit({ ...live, ...clampTickPair(live.tickA + dir * step, live.tickB) });
+      } else {
+        emit({ ...live, ...clampTickPair(live.tickA, live.tickB + dir * step) });
+      }
+    } else if (e.key === '+' || e.key === '=') {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      emit({ ...live, zoom: Math.min(3, live.zoom * 1.1) });
+    } else if (e.key === '-' || e.key === '_') {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      emit({ ...live, zoom: Math.max(0.5, live.zoom / 1.1) });
+    }
+  };
+
+  const fitPhoto = () => emit({ ...live, zoom: 1, panX: 0, panY: 0 });
+
+  let vbScale = 1;
+  const updateVbScale = () => {
+    if (!tapeWrap) return;
+    vbScale = tapeWrap.clientWidth / STAGE_W || 1;
+  };
+
+  $: inset = STAGE_H * cropMarginFraction(cropFill);
+  $: photoTransform = `translate(${live.panX}px, ${live.panY}px) translate(${STAGE_W / 2}px, ${STAGE_H / 2}px) rotate(${live.tiltDeg}deg) scale(${live.zoom}) translate(${-STAGE_W / 2}px, ${-STAGE_H / 2}px)`;
+  // Contain-fit the canvas bitmap into the logical stage.
+  $: photoLayerStyle = imgW > 0 && imgH > 0
+    ? (() => {
+        const scale0 = Math.min(STAGE_W / imgW, STAGE_H / imgH);
+        const w = imgW * scale0;
+        const h = imgH * scale0;
+        const left = (STAGE_W - w) / 2;
+        const top = (STAGE_H - h) / 2;
+        return `position:absolute;left:${left}px;top:${top}px;width:${w}px;height:${h}px;transform-origin:center center;`;
+      })()
+    : 'position:absolute;inset:0;';
 
   onMount(() => {
     if (stage) parentW = stage.clientWidth;
+    updateVbScale();
     const ro = new ResizeObserver((entries) => {
       const e = entries[0];
       if (!e) return;
       const w = e.contentRect.width;
+      if (mode === 'tape') {
+        updateVbScale();
+      }
       if (w === parentW) return;
       parentW = w;
       applyFit();
     });
     if (stage) ro.observe(stage);
+    if (tapeWrap) ro.observe(tapeWrap);
     return () => ro.disconnect();
   });
   onDestroy(() => {
@@ -126,16 +307,90 @@
   });
 </script>
 
-<div class="stage" bind:this={stage}>
-  {#if imgW > 0 || decoding || blob}
-    <canvas bind:this={canvas}></canvas>
-  {:else}
-    <div class="loading">Decoding photo…</div>
-  {/if}
-</div>
+{#if mode === 'tape'}
+  <div
+    class="tape-stage"
+    bind:this={stage}
+    tabindex="0"
+    role="application"
+    aria-label="Fixed tape line over a movable slab photo"
+    on:keydown={onKeyDown}
+  >
+    <div
+      class="tw"
+      class:dragging={!!drag}
+      bind:this={tapeWrap}
+      role="group"
+      aria-label="Tape alignment stage"
+      on:pointerdown={onPointerDown}
+      on:pointermove={onPointerMove}
+      on:pointerup={onPointerUp}
+      on:pointercancel={onPointerUp}
+      on:wheel={onWheel}
+      on:dblclick={() => interactive && fitPhoto()}
+    >
+      <div class="vb" style="width:{STAGE_W}px;height:{STAGE_H}px;transform:scale({vbScale});">
+      <div class="photo-layer" style="{photoLayerStyle} transform: {photoTransform};">
+        <canvas bind:this={canvas}></canvas>
+      </div>
+      <!-- crop end bands (proposal visual; aspect stays 3:4) -->
+      <div class="band top" style="height:{inset}px"></div>
+      <div class="band bot" style="height:{inset}px"></div>
+      <svg class="fixture" viewBox="0 0 {STAGE_W} {STAGE_H}" width={STAGE_W} height={STAGE_H} aria-hidden="true">
+        <line x1={lineX()} y1={live.tickA} x2={lineX()} y2={live.tickB} stroke="rgba(255,255,255,.28)" stroke-width="6" stroke-linecap="round" />
+        <line x1={lineX()} y1={live.tickA} x2={lineX()} y2={live.tickB} stroke="#000" stroke-width="2.4" stroke-linecap="round" />
+        {#each [['A', live.tickA], ['B', live.tickB]] as [id, y]}
+          <line x1={lineX() - 13} y1={y} x2={lineX() + 13} y2={y} stroke="rgba(255,255,255,.92)" stroke-width="6" stroke-linecap="round" />
+          <line x1={lineX() - 13} y1={y} x2={lineX() + 13} y2={y} stroke="#000" stroke-width="2.4" stroke-linecap="round" />
+          <circle cx={lineX()} cy={y} r="5" fill={focusTick === id ? '#ff3d71' : '#000'} stroke="#fff" stroke-width="1.5" />
+          <circle class="tick-hit" cx={lineX()} cy={y} r="34" fill="transparent" />
+        {/each}
+        {#if interactive}
+          <g class="rot-handle">
+            <circle cx={STAGE_W / 2} cy={STAGE_H - 26} r="17" fill="rgba(0,0,0,.6)" stroke="#00e5ff" stroke-width="1.5" />
+            <text x={STAGE_W / 2} y={STAGE_H - 21} fill="#00e5ff" font-size="15" text-anchor="middle">↻</text>
+          </g>
+        {/if}
+      </svg>
+      {#if decoding && imgW === 0}
+        <div class="loading">Decoding photo…</div>
+      {/if}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+{:else}
+  <div class="stage" bind:this={stage}>
+    {#if imgW > 0 || decoding || blob}
+      <canvas bind:this={canvas}></canvas>
+    {:else}
+      <div class="loading">Decoding photo…</div>
+    {/if}
+  </div>
+{/if}
 
 <style>
   .stage { width: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: center; }
-  canvas { display: block; border-radius: 8px; background: #222; }
-  .loading { padding: 40px; color: #999; }
+  canvas { display: block; border-radius: 8px; background: #222; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
+  .loading { padding: 40px; color: #999; position: absolute; inset: 0; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; }
+  .tape-stage { width: 100%; outline: none; }
+  .tw {
+    position: relative; width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 3 / 4;
+    background: #111; border: 1px solid #333; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden;
+    touch-action: none; user-select: none; cursor: grab;
+  }
+  .tw.dragging { cursor: grabbing; }
+  .vb {
+    position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0;
+    transform-origin: top left;
+    pointer-events: none;
+  }
+  .vb > :global(*) { pointer-events: auto; }
+  .photo-layer { will-change: transform; pointer-events: none; }
+  .photo-layer canvas { border-radius: 0; background: transparent; pointer-events: none; }
+  .band { position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; background: #000; opacity: 0.3; pointer-events: none; z-index: 1; }
+  .band.top { top: 0; }
+  .band.bot { bottom: 0; }
+  .fixture { position: absolute; inset: 0; z-index: 2; pointer-events: none; }
+  .tick-hit { pointer-events: auto; cursor: ns-resize; }
+  .rot-handle { pointer-events: auto; cursor: ew-resize; }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/capture/session.ts b/frontend/src/capture/session.ts
index 3cf36b2..6e3aba4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/capture/session.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/capture/session.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,11 @@ import { measure } from '../measure/measure';
 import { orientedRect } from '../geometry/rect';
 import { encodeInventoryPng, type InventoryInput } from '../png/inventory';
 import { encodeOverlayPng, type EncodeOverlayInput } from '../png/overlay';
+import { rotateCalibration } from '../png/rotateCal';
 import { decodeOrientedBitmap } from '../decodeOrientedBitmap';
+import { defaultTape, tapeEndpoints, type TapeTransform } from './tapeGeometry';
+import { getCropFill } from '../settings/cropFill';
+import type { TapeLine } from './capture.types';
 
 const DEBOUNCE_MS = 2000;
 const BUSY_MS = 300;
@@ -41,6 +45,8 @@ export interface CaptureSession {
   setSheet(s: Sheet): void;
   approveMask(): void;
   setAxisAngle(deg: number): void;
+  /** #99: replace axis rectangle nudge with full tape transform. */
+  setTape(tape: TapeTransform): void;
   approveAxis(): void;
   setLength(e: Eighths): void;
   setThickness(e: Eighths): void;
@@ -206,7 +212,7 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
         version: 1, stage: 'axis', batch: batchPhotos.length ? batchPhotos : [state.source],
         calibrationIndex: calIdx,
         source: state.source, maskParams: state.approvedMask.params,
-        mask: strip(state.approvedMask), axisBbox: state.axis.bbox,
+        mask: strip(state.approvedMask), axisBbox: state.axis.bbox, tape: state.axis.tape,
         lengthEighths: 0, thicknessEighths: 0, results: null, inventoryPng: null,
       };
     }
@@ -216,7 +222,7 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
         version: 1, stage: 'measure', batch: batchPhotos.length ? batchPhotos : [state.source],
         calibrationIndex: calIdx,
         source: state.source, maskParams: state.approvedMask.params,
-        mask: strip(state.approvedMask), axisBbox: state.axis.bbox,
+        mask: strip(state.approvedMask), axisBbox: state.axis.bbox, tape: state.axis.tape,
         lengthEighths: state.lengthEighths, thicknessEighths: state.thicknessEighths,
         results: state.results ? rest : null,
         inventoryPng: state.results?.inventoryPng ?? null,
@@ -312,6 +318,37 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
   // fall back to the mask's own bbox.
   const draftAxisBbox = (d: Draft) => d.axisBbox ?? d.mask.bbox;
 
+  const tapeFromDraftOrBbox = (d: Draft, bbox: import('./capture.types').BBox, w: number, h: number): TapeLine => {
+    if (d.tape && Number.isFinite(d.tape.spanPx)) {
+      return { ...d.tape };
+    }
+    // Seed tilt so the mask long side sits near vertical under the fixed line.
+    const seedTilt = 90 - bbox.angleDeg;
+    const t = defaultTape(getCropFill(), seedTilt);
+    const ep = w > 0 && h > 0 ? tapeEndpoints(t, w, h) : { spanPx: 0, start: [0, 0] as [number, number], end: [0, 0] as [number, number], ux: 0, uy: 1 };
+    return { ...t, spanPx: ep.spanPx };
+  };
+
+  const axisWithTape = (bbox: import('./capture.types').BBox, tape: TapeTransform, w: number, h: number) => {
+    const ep = w > 0 && h > 0
+      ? tapeEndpoints(tape, w, h)
+      : { spanPx: 0, start: [0, 0] as [number, number], end: [0, 0] as [number, number], ux: 0, uy: 1 };
+    const angleDeg = ep.spanPx > 0
+      ? ((Math.atan2(ep.uy, ep.ux) * 180) / Math.PI + 180) % 180
+      : bbox.angleDeg;
+    const nextBbox = orientedRect(bbox, angleDeg);
+    const line: TapeLine = {
+      tiltDeg: tape.tiltDeg,
+      zoom: tape.zoom,
+      panX: tape.panX,
+      panY: tape.panY,
+      tickA: tape.tickA,
+      tickB: tape.tickB,
+      spanPx: ep.spanPx,
+    };
+    return { bbox: nextBbox, tape: line };
+  };
+
   const restoreFromDraft = async (d: Draft) => {
     batchPhotos = batchPhotosOf(d);
     calibrationIndex = typeof d.calibrationIndex === 'number' ? d.calibrationIndex : null;
@@ -338,16 +375,29 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
     try {
       const mask = await rederiveMask(source, d.maskParams, d.mask);
       if (d.stage === 'axis') {
-        set({ k: 'axis', source, approvedMask: mask, axis: { bbox: draftAxisBbox(d) } });
+        const bbox = draftAxisBbox(d);
+        const w = source.widthPx;
+        const h = source.heightPx;
+        const axis = d.tape
+          ? axisWithTape(bbox, d.tape, w, h)
+          : { bbox, tape: tapeFromDraftOrBbox(d, bbox, w, h) };
+        set({ k: 'axis', source, approvedMask: mask, axis });
         return;
       }
       if (d.inventoryPng) {
         if (pngUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(pngUrl);
         pngUrl = URL.createObjectURL(d.inventoryPng);
       }
+      {
+        const bbox = draftAxisBbox(d);
+        const w = source.widthPx;
+        const h = source.heightPx;
+        const axis = d.tape
+          ? axisWithTape(bbox, d.tape, w, h)
+          : { bbox, tape: tapeFromDraftOrBbox(d, bbox, w, h) };
       set({
         k: 'measure', source, approvedMask: mask,
-        axis: { bbox: draftAxisBbox(d) },
+        axis,
         lengthEighths: d.lengthEighths, thicknessEighths: d.thicknessEighths,
         results: d.results
           ? {
@@ -358,6 +408,7 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
           : null,
         batchApply: d.batchApply,
       });
+      }
     } catch {
       set({ k: 'mask', source, control: { ...d.maskParams }, overlay: null, failed: true });
       makeWorker(source.blob);
@@ -476,22 +527,47 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
       if (state.k !== 'mask' || !state.overlay || state.overlay.slabPx === 0) return;
       teardownWorker();
       const overlay = state.overlay;
-      set({ k: 'axis', source: state.source, approvedMask: overlay, axis: { bbox: { corners: overlay.bbox.corners.map((c) => [...c] as [number, number]), longSidePx: overlay.bbox.longSidePx, angleDeg: overlay.bbox.angleDeg } } });
+      const bbox = {
+        corners: overlay.bbox.corners.map((c) => [...c] as [number, number]),
+        longSidePx: overlay.bbox.longSidePx,
+        angleDeg: overlay.bbox.angleDeg,
+      };
+      const w = state.source.widthPx;
+      const h = state.source.heightPx;
+      const seedTilt = 90 - bbox.angleDeg;
+      const tape0 = defaultTape(getCropFill(), seedTilt);
+      const axis = axisWithTape(bbox, tape0, w, h);
+      set({ k: 'axis', source: state.source, approvedMask: overlay, axis });
       void persist();
     },
 
+    // Legacy slider path — maps to photo tilt under the fixed tape line (#99).
     setAxisAngle(deg: number) {
       if (state.k !== 'axis') return;
-      const a = ((Math.round(deg) % 180) + 180) % 180;
-      set({ ...state, axis: { bbox: orientedRect(state.axis.bbox, a) } });
+      const tape = { ...state.axis.tape, tiltDeg: deg };
+      const axis = axisWithTape(state.axis.bbox, tape, state.source.widthPx, state.source.heightPx);
+      set({ ...state, axis });
+      void persist();
+    },
+
+    setTape(tape: TapeTransform) {
+      if (state.k !== 'axis') return;
+      const axis = axisWithTape(state.axis.bbox, tape, state.source.widthPx, state.source.heightPx);
+      set({ ...state, axis });
       void persist();
     },
 
     approveAxis() {
       if (state.k !== 'axis') return;
+      const axis = axisWithTape(
+        state.axis.bbox,
+        state.axis.tape,
+        state.source.widthPx,
+        state.source.heightPx,
+      );
       set({
         k: 'measure', source: state.source, approvedMask: state.approvedMask,
-        axis: { bbox: state.axis.bbox },
+        axis,
         lengthEighths: 0, thicknessEighths: 0, results: null,
       });
       void persist();
@@ -516,14 +592,35 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
       const { source, approvedMask, axis, lengthEighths, thicknessEighths } = state;
       if (lengthEighths === 0 || thicknessEighths === 0) return;
       const bitmap = await decodeOrientedBitmap(source.blob);
+      const tapeAxis = axis.tape.spanPx > 0
+        ? (() => {
+            const ep = tapeEndpoints(axis.tape, source.widthPx, source.heightPx);
+            return { start: ep.start, ux: ep.ux, uy: ep.uy, spanPx: ep.spanPx };
+          })()
+        : null;
       const base = measure(
         approvedMask.bitset, source.widthPx, source.heightPx,
         axis.bbox, lengthEighths, thicknessEighths, approvedMask.slabPx,
+        tapeAxis,
       );
       let pngBlob: Blob;
       let belowFloor = false;
+      // #99: bake photo tilt into cal inventory + overlay only; siblings untouched.
+      let calBitmap = bitmap;
+      let calMask = approvedMask;
+      let calSource = source;
+      let rotatedExtra: ImageBitmap | null = null;
       try {
-        const r = await encodeInventory({ bitmap, mask: approvedMask, source });
+        const rotated = await rotateCalibration(bitmap, approvedMask, source, axis.tape.tiltDeg);
+        calBitmap = rotated.bitmap;
+        calMask = rotated.mask;
+        calSource = { ...source, widthPx: rotated.source.widthPx, heightPx: rotated.source.heightPx };
+        if (rotated.bitmap !== bitmap) rotatedExtra = rotated.bitmap;
+      } catch {
+        /* keep unrotated cal if bake fails */
+      }
+      try {
+        const r = await encodeInventory({ bitmap: calBitmap, mask: calMask, source: calSource });
         pngBlob = r.blob;
         belowFloor = r.sourceBelowFloor;
       } catch {
@@ -531,24 +628,26 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
         pngBlob = new Blob([], { type: 'image/png' });
       }
       bitmap.close();
+      if (rotatedExtra) rotatedExtra.close();
       if (pngUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(pngUrl);
       pngUrl = URL.createObjectURL(pngBlob);
 
       // #63: second copy of the calibration inventory PNG with dimension overlays.
       // Keep clean inventoryPng untouched; never stash overlay into batchApply[cal].
+      // Overlay uses the same baked orientation as the clean cal PNG (#99 scope).
       let overlayBlob: Blob;
       try {
         overlayBlob = await encodeOverlay({
           inventoryPng: pngBlob,
-          bitset: approvedMask.bitset,
-          widthPx: source.widthPx,
-          heightPx: source.heightPx,
-          bbox: axis.bbox,
+          bitset: calMask.bitset,
+          widthPx: calSource.widthPx,
+          heightPx: calSource.heightPx,
+          bbox: calMask.bbox,
           scale: base.scale,
           lengthIn: eighthsToIn(lengthEighths),
           lengthLabel: fmtEighths(lengthEighths),
-          slabBounds: approvedMask.slabBounds,
-          source,
+          slabBounds: calMask.slabBounds,
+          source: calSource,
         });
       } catch {
         // Deterministic tests may inject a non-decodable inventory blob; still
@@ -626,7 +725,7 @@ export function createCaptureSession(opts: SessionOpts = {}): CaptureSession {
         const m = state.approvedMask;
         set({ k: 'mask', source: state.source, control: m.params, overlay: m, failed: false });
       } else if (state.k === 'measure') {
-        set({ k: 'axis', source: state.source, approvedMask: state.approvedMask, axis: { bbox: state.axis.bbox } });
+        set({ k: 'axis', source: state.source, approvedMask: state.approvedMask, axis: state.axis });
       }
     },