(R561) Clickable Image Maps

A clickable image map is one that links to different places depending on where you click on the image. The image is divided into regions whose boundaries may or may not be visible. For example, a map of the United States with state boundaries might contain links to information about each state, and these links are activated when you click within a state boundary.

In order to create a clickable image map you need to:

1. Obtain the image you want in GIF or JPEG format and store it in your public_html directory or some sub-directory therein
2. Create lists of the coordinates, in pixel values, that define each clickable region in the image
3. Create the necessary HTML code to specify the image, the regions in the image that you may click on, and the places (links) that you are sent when you click on them.

• A manual way Manual Clickable Maps which is free and which works on all platforms.
• A semi-automated way which uses specialized low cost software such as the LiveImage Program
• And a fully automated way which uses higher cost web authoring tools such as MicroSoft's FrontPage

Class Topics

Graphics Design Based on Edward Tufte's Principles

Using the Graphics Equipment in the Vislab

Clickable Image Maps

Scrollable Frames

Clickable Image Maps with Frames

Simple Animated GIFs Using MS FrontPage

Interactive Animation Using MS Liquid Motion

Exporting PowerPoint and Other Graphics to the Web

3D Animation Using VRML

Incorporating Plugins in Your Browser

Using and Adapting Java Applets

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