ImageMap is a WWW image map creator. It will currently output NSCA and CERN format server side maps [note that server side maps require a script to be present on the server] and HTML client side maps.
The Main window
===============
ImageMap has been designed to be as easy to use as possible. It is just as easy to draw a shape as it is to resize it, move it or even delete it.
A selected region will have all it's points shown by small 'hot spot' rectangles. Dragging these will change the shape of the region. Dragging the region will move the whole region it's self.
Tools
=====
To make using ImageMap easy there is a small toolbar attracted to the main window. This shows the position of the mouse on the image map as well as having short cuts to the main functions.
From left to right the tools are;
• The Select Tool
It is with this that you can move and resize a region as well as
selecting it for delete.
• Rectangle
Will draw a rectanglar region that will act as a hot spot for the image
map.
• Circle
Will draw a circular region that will act as a hot spot for the image map.
• Polygon
Will draw a polygonial region that will act as a hot spot for the image
map. Unlike the other two drawing tools the polygon tool can create a
shape of n number of sides or shape.
Choices window
==============
The choices window can be accessed via the icon bar menu. A small window will open with options in it they are;
• Handle Jpegs natively
Can be used for fast machines using the new SpriteExtend modules.
• Use ChangeFSI for Unknown
Will send any file that ImageMap does not understand to ChangeFSI just
in case it does.
• Use current mode with ChangeFSI.
With this selected what ever mode you are in is the mode that ChangeFSI.
With this unselectd it will use the mode in the writable icon below.
Saving map files
================
You can save in three formats, NSCA, CERN and Client side. NSCA and CERN are Server side maps Client side is for client side maps. When you save the map as a client side file you can save the graphic with it as well. No conversion is currently done to the file so if it was loaded a sprite, or though ChangeFSI then it will be saved as image/spr. If it was loaded a a Jpeg and ImageMap is setup to handle Jpegs natively then it will be saved as a Jpeg.
Note..
Client side maps outputted by ImageMap have been tested with;
• MS Internet Explorer 2.01
• Netscape Navigator 3.00
• Doggysoft' Web browser 1.40
NSCA Server side maps outputted by ImageMap have been tested with;
• Doggysoft' Web browser (1.36)
I have been unable to test CERN output.
Server side maps
================
(This section is written assuming you know how to write HTML.)
To use server side maps you need a script that will handle them, for Demon customers it is http://www.<nodename>.demon.co.uk/cgi-bin/imagemap. You also need to save the map in the format specified for use with the script, for Demon again customers this is NSCA format.
Then you need to alter you web page. To the line where you have defined your image maps graphic, <img src=" graphics path ">, you need to add a link around it to the uploaded map file that ImageMap created as well as INMAP to the img tag.
So that you end up with something like..
<a href="/cgi-bin/imagemap/main.map">
<img src="/map.gif" ISMAP>
</a>
Assuming that both the image and the map file containg the hotspots are in the root directory of the website.
Still to be done
================
There are still things to be done to ImageMap.
Some of the ideas I've had are;
• Loading of Client side maps.
• Draw end option. - (Select double click or Adjust click)
• Configurable image helper.
• Clipboard.
• Multiple selections.
• PCA / OLE
• Better handling of regions.
• Coordinates window. So you can change the points via the keyboard
accurately.
• Better selecting of polygon areas.
Previous versions
=================
Changes from version 0.50 to 0.53
---------------------------------
• Double clicking on a map file will now load ImageMap
• Fixed dragging point problem. Should now be more accurate.
• Fixed bug with dragging rectangles.
Dragging bottom point to the top would cause it to be unselectable.
• Trimmed down redraw code should be faster.
• Made last drawn region top one.
Changes from version 0.53 to 0.55
---------------------------------
• Fixed Template/Help file clash.
• Added support for different image helpers.
(Requires manual editing of the !Choices file)
• Fixed palette handling for some sprites.
Changes from version 0.55 to 0.56
---------------------------------
• Made ImageMap a !!CONNECTED!! application.
• Fixed reserved flag bug on Risc OS 3.1 machines.
Changes from version 0.56 to 0.61
---------------------------------
• Better internationality.
• Made tool pane act like the toolbar in Acorn's Draw application.
• Better screen redrawing. Very noticable when you have a lot of regions.
Still needs some more work though.
• Reports error when you try to quit with modified map loaded.
• Supports desktop save protocol.
• Fixed bug in client side map saving.
• Fixed bug in choices window.
• Altered !Run file to include more options, etc..
• Limited support for interactive help.
Changes from version 0.61 to 0.66
---------------------------------
• Multiple bug fixes.
• Saves to !Boot application if possible.
Changes from version 0.66 to 0.67
---------------------------------
• Fixed factory default bug.
Changes from version 0.67 to 0.70
---------------------------------
• Fixed choices bugs!
Copyright
=========
This program is FreeWare. This means that ImageMap maybe freely copied and distributed as long as only a small charge is made for costs. (Small means less than 5 pounds. If you want to charge any more per disc ask my permission first).
I, the author, keep full copyright over ImageMap and you may not alter it in any way.
Disclaimer
==========
I, the author, do not accept any liability for the loss or damage to your computer or any data stored on it, however caused, arising as a result of the use or misuse of this program.
Contacting the author
=====================
You can contact by any of the following methods. If you have any problems or if you have any suggestions for ImageMap then please do contact me as it'll give me some ideas as to what other people would like adding.
