Javascript Image Viewers

Dynamic web based content for the majority of the public generally means the heavily utilization of flash, PHP and other scripting languages. However the silent worker in the background echoes through once again as Javascript shows it is more than capable of providing ingenuity and flare to your web page with the use of scripts such as 'Lightbox'.

These scripts implement, whats referred to as, a 'modal window'. It is, in essence, a window within a window. It allows the end user to interact with visual content on the site, without being redirected from the initial page.

Lightview

Lightview - AA Lightview - Gallery Nick Stakenburg produced this infinitely competitive package to rival Lightbox2. Lightview uses Scriptaculous v1.6.0.3 along with Prototype library 1.8.2 as opposed to Lightbox v2.4 which is running with Scriptaculous v1.6.0.2 and Prototype library 1.8.1. So as such, there is not any major difference in the libraries they are utilizing, however, due to Lightview directly linking to the googleapis.com libraries, its easier to update by simply changing a few digits each time an update is released.

Lightview works with the majority of modern browsers inclusive of Internet Explorer 6 and upwards, alongside Firefox 2, 3 and Opera 9.5+.

Despite the fact that Lightview supports heavily the use of all types of visual content, the code in which to implement it, is to say the least... easy.

To top it off Lightview supports anti-aliasing. This, in short, means that no matter what resolution your customers/visitors are using, it will guarantee to show the highest quality image possible on their screen. Now as far as I'm aware, this is something Ligthbox2 has not laid claim to or boasted about and definitely warrants bragging rights.

Lightview, as I mentioned earlier, is definitely a main contender against Lightbox. Its offers a greater deal of flexibility of how you display your visual content (and I use the word 'visual content' as Lightview displays almost everything) and also the functionality and presentation of linking images and videos together in a slide show format is second to none.

Slimbox

Slimbox - Gallery Once again a member of the public takes the open source community on their shoulders and drags it even further to perfection. Slimbox is a heavily modified version of Lightbox2. However, instead of using the Scriptaculous and Prototype libraries, it uses the mootools library (v1.11) which, in lay mans terms, decreases the file size of scripts dramatically and to top it off... it does more.

Slimbox offers support of various multimedia types like Lightview and endeavors to give the end user complete control in regards to the presentation of the end result.

It also offers the functionality of a loop feature for its slide shows and rectification of all bugs present in Lightbox.

Now for something that comes with scripts totaling 50kb against Lightbox's 186kb library I think its really rocked the boat.

LightWindow v2.0

Lightwindow v2.0 - Multiple Galleries Lightwindow v2.0 - PDF Display Just when you think the previous modal window script is right for you, here comes another. LightWindow, developed by Kevin Miller, is a truly astounding piece of work. Once again the common libraries of Scriptaculous and Prototype are being used but to a somewhat better means.

LightWindows animated transitions when producing the modal window are, to be perfectly blunt, damn near perfect. Its a smooth transition which shows no graphical glitches and from testing this myself I have found no bugs that are common in other scripts.

It has no issues displaying any form of content including flash, iframes, mov files and of course not forgetting picture files. A full list of files supported can be viewed on the website.

ThickBox 3.1

ThickBox - Single Image ThickBox is designed around the jQuery library and is surprisingly small considering its performance.

With that being said, there are some downfalls to why jQuery doesn't meet the standards that others are setting. There is little to no animation when loading content, however, there is a slight fade out when closing it. To me the fade in is as important as the fade out, but ThickBox does support mutiple files such as flash and even PDFs (within an Iframe).

The author, Cody Lindley, wanted to show to the Internet communities that the jQuery library was capable of such things. He proved just that. Although personally I feel ThickBox does not quite cut it, it still is a perfect example of a decent programmers work and should be acknowledged.

FancyBox

FancyBox - GalleryFancyBox - Single Image Sticking with the jQuery plugin, we move to FancyBox. This package offers fluid animation as opposed to ThickBox yet still utilizes the jQuery library. If you are wanting to use the jQuery library for a specific reason, but your not too fond of the fluidity of ThickBox 3.1, then this package is your best bet.

Unfortunately FancyBox does not buffer its images so this means with every click (including images you have already viewed) there is a short wait to load the content. This may become an annoyance to end users browsing your site.

ShadowBox

ShadowBox - Google Maps ShadowBox - Flash With some unique approaches, ShadowBox is able to brand itself as one of the top script packages available. It will allow you to pan an image if it is out of scale to the users desktop, or it can clip/resize it accordingly.

It has the standard features of most Light boxes, but after seeing the demonstrations of its usages its a truly amazing package. The use of utilizing 'Google Maps' was particularly appealing, especially if attempting to guide a user to your office or other location.

Unfortunately ShadowBox requires a license to be used within any project which can be purchased for $20 through the site.

Conclusion

There is plenty of options out there and in my honest opinion after trial running all of these scripts, a high percentage of them are of a higher standard than LightBox2. My choice in this matter would be irrelevant as we all have different needs. Fluid animation, script size, modifying ability and specific content display support, to name a few.