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Clickable Image Map Maker (CIMM)® v0.45b2

This is a utility to create the HTML code for client side image maps. It is intended for those who are familiar with HTML. Compared to coding image maps by trial and error, it can reduce your time investment by 90-95%, while dramatically improving quality.

To use CIMM, follow these easy steps:
  1. Select a graphic file on your own hard drive.
  2. Decide how to orient the controls.
  3. Decide if you want to use the "lite" or standard version.
  4. Click [Use This Image]
A new screen will appear which contains:
  • Your image
  • Several controls to create your hrefs and plot out the necessary coordinates
  • A text field to view your code as it is created (large size monitors are a big help here)
The controls should be fairly intuitive. For example, to plot a rectangle, click on the rectangle icon, click the desired upper left corner, then click the desired lower right corner; for a circle, click the intended center, then an outer margin; that's it! I have tried to provide helpful dialog boxes as necessary.
  1. When you are done, click [STOP], then select the code from the text field and paste it into your HTML document.
It's just that easy!

There are a few details to know about.
  • In generating the HTML code, this utility assumes that the image will be in the same folder as the HTML document which will be calling it. You will need to adjust the reference in the code to match your needs.
  • The [erase] command clears one line at a time - you can't back up by only one (x,y) pair.
  • The [restart] command restarts with the same image. To work with a new image, you need to come back to this page.
  • Polygons must be closed by clicking [close poly]. Rectangles and circles close automatically when you click on the second coordinate.
  • I have included several text fields and pop-up menus to speed the creation of fixed and relative URLs for your hrefs. I have posted detailed instructions as their complexity has increased.


First, maximize your browser window. Collapse the navigation controls to make more room.
Next, if the image you want to map is wider than half your window or shorter than half your window, check here: (this puts the tools under the image, rather than to its right)
If you want the lite version, check here: (simpler, works with smaller monitors)
Now, select an image to map by clicking the [Browse] button:


Compatibility

Based on considerable (and much appreciated) feedback from the Wintel community, CIMM now appears to be fully Wintel compatible, at least when using Netscape Navigator 4.04 or better. It has always been Mac compatible, at least with Netscape Navigator. As far as Linux, I doubt it. And sorry, I'm too busy to worry about it.

Now the only potential pitfall is whether the Wintel folk can unstuff it (see below).

Cost

CIMM is free when used over the Internet.

CIMM runs faster when it lives on your hard drive, and you don't need to be connected. If you send me $5 I will send you a ".sit" archive of CIMM. For you Windows folk, get Aladdin Expander from
Aladdin to unstuff it.

Updates until January 1, 2005 are free. Please include your e-mail address with your $5. The address is
LinkedResources
10452 Mississippi Blvd NW, Suite 336
Coon Rapids MN 55433-4523


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©1997 Jeffrey W Baumann & Linked Resources, Inc. All Rights Reserved