Using Image and Maps

Adding an Image

To insert an image, choose Image from the XHTML menu, click the Image button, or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl h Ctrl i). The resulting dialog lets you enter the file name and alternative text (Alt attribute) of the desired image.

Note: the alternative text is mandatory. You must provide some text in the corresponding field.

To help find an image file you can enter a filter field, and use the filter button, and the dialog will list only the files that match your pattern.

To provide a long description for an image presenting complex information, you should do so in a separate document and link it by giving the URI as a longdesc. This command is also available on the Attributes list.

Replacing an Image

If an image is selected (do so by dragging over the image) when opening the image dialog, the selected image is then replaced by the new image.

About Alternative Text and Long Descriptions

Without useful alternative text for images, many web pages become difficult or even impossible to navigate, and users are left "feeling their way in the dark."

To prevent this problem, you must provide alternative text for elements such as images and other multimedia objects. The alternative text is usually presented instead of the image by a browser with a voice output system, or on a Braille display used by many people who are blind.áIt is also common for users with low-quality connections to request the alternate view, because text is transmitted much faster than images.

The alternative text should replace the image in function as well. For example, if you use the image as an icon that links to a reference point, then the title of the reference itself is a good alternative text.

There are cases where an image is used for purely visual effect, and does not add any information value to the page. In this case, it is appropriate to use a blank alternative text, although you must still define it.

When the image conveys important information that is not available from the text of the document, you must provide a description of the information. The longdesc option in the Attributes list enables you to link a description to the image. This description can be a URI (a separate document), or named part of the current document.

To view how a page might be presented without the images, use Show Alternate (Views >Show Alternate). If the page is spoken by a voice output system, then the alternate view might simply be read out.

Using client-side image maps

Amaya enables you to use client-side image maps.

To activate an area in an image map

• Double-click on the area within the image. Amaya finds the URI associated to this area, and opens it in the browser.

To display the existing areas within an image map

• Select Show Map Areas from the Views menu.
  

  Note:áá You can also display existing areas directly from the keyboard by clicking Ctrl v Ctrlt (Ctrl u Ctrl t on Windows platforms).