
Some Important Points To Note.
- Order Of Loading Files
- You should load in an image before you load in a map.
If you have saved a map file using this system, if you choose to load a
mapfile it may automatically offer to reload your image.
- Saving Mapfiles
- The tool allows you to read in and save map files, so it's a good idea to
save after every 2-3 annotations. If the system fouls up, you can then
restart. It's also a good idea not to overwrite your original file!
- The Absolute URL Path
- After creating the first object in a new map, you will be asked to set the
Absolute URL path. This should be in the form :-
http://server.net.address/directory_name/
The directory_name should include all directories - up to and including
the last "/" - containing the files you wish to point to.
After this, when you are asked to annotate any new objects, the URL
entry box will contain this string. Filenames need only be appended on.
- Annotating Objects
- You should annotate every object as it is completed. This is the default
(which can be switched off, but is not recommended).
- Obscured Objects
- There is currently no way of checking for anyobscured objects.
At the moment this is left to the user.
The easiest method of checking this is to switch on the Auto_Raise
checkbutton. Having done this, just go through selecting any objects that
appear to be obscured by others. This will raise them to a position above
the obscuring object, so it will not be hidden from the imagemap mechanism.
- Testing The URL
- For NCSA Mosaic, It is possible to test url's one at a time using the
same browser window. This is done by selecting a new object and invoking
the test button.
For other browsers, each test must be executed one at a time,killing the
browser with the "OK" button in the message window.
- Image Format
- Ideally you should use rppm's for image files.
You can do mare with an rppm than an xbm.
If you can't make these, get a copy of the image in gif format. MapMarker
will do a conversion for you.
If you don't have the photo widget, xbm's must be used. Although an xbm
can be made from a gif, I'm not making any promises as to the usefulness of
the result. Some cunning editing with something like xv may be
required.
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Gudge