Tablets guide - The Image Zooming Viewer

The Tablet Image Zooming Viewer enables viewing of high resolution images of the tablets, which can be zoomed into - for example to check the accuracy of readings. It relies on server and client software developed by iSeeMedia.

Two Versions of the Viewer

There are two versions of the Tablet Image Zooming Viewer. The full (default) version, which includes a magnifying glass tool that may be moved over the tablet image, requires you to have Java installed on your computer (this may have been installed with your web browser, but not always).

NB: The first time you use the full version of the Image Zooming viewer in a session it will take a little while (depending on connection speed) to download the Java applet.

If the full Java-based viewer does not work on your computer, there is an alternative “Universal Viewer” version you can switch to using the labeled button, which does not require Java (it also has lower system requirements, if you have an old computer).

Recommended Minimum System Requirements

Whilst the Zooming Viewers will run on systems of a lower specification (especially the Universal version), it is recommended that your computer matches or exceeds the specifications given below to ensure smooth operation.

Windows

• Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP (i.e. not Windows 3.x)
• Pentium II or better processor (especially if using Windows NT/2000/XP)
• 64Mb+ RAM (Win95/98/Me) or 128Mb+ RAM (Windows NT/2000/XP).
• 65, 000 colours minimum (24-bit true colour recommend)

For the (default) Java-based viewer, the following is also required:

• A Java 1.1 compliant browser, such as Netscape Navigator ® 4.75 or higher, or Internet Explorer ® 4.5 or higher
• If Java was not installed with the browser, you can download the latest version from Sun.

Mac

• Max OS 8.5 or higher or Mac OS X)
• G3 or better processor (though a reasonably fast Power Mac should suffice)
• 64Mb+ RAM (Mac OS 8.x or 9.x) or 128Mb+ RAM (Mac OS X)

For the (default) Java-based viewer, the following is also required:

• Any Java 1.1 (or higher) compliant browser, such as Netscape Navigator ® 4.75 or higher, or Internet Explorer ® 4.5 or higher
• If Java was not installed with the browser and you're running a Mac OS 8.x/9.x, you can download the Mac OS Runtime for Java.
• If Java was not installed with the browser and you're running Mac OS X, you can download the latest version from Sun.

Using the (Java) Tablet Image Zooming Viewer

When the Tablet Image Zooming Viewer has finished loading, you should see a window that looks something like this (assuming the Java Viewer is working correctly - if it isn't and you don't see a tablet image, either switch to the “Universal Viewer” version by clicking on the button supplied, or download additional Java software, as outlined above):

1. Tablet & Leaf Information

The information in the title bar gives the tablet number, the leaf number, and (in parenthesis) whether the image is the front or back view of the leaf. In the example given this appears as: Tablet 180 Leaf No. 1 (front)

2. Zoomable Image

This is the area in which the zoomable image is displayed. At maximum zoom out the whole tablet leaf image is displayed. At maximum zoom in, only a small fraction of the whole tablet leaf will be displayed, but at a high level of detail.

Clicking or dragging in the zoomable image area gives different results, depending on which of the viewer toolbar buttons was clicked last (see below for more information)

3. Viewer Toolbar

Toolbar Button Function Alternative Keyboard Shortcut Zoom In Zooms into the image. There are two ways this can used: Click Zoom In, then click the mouse anywhere in the zoomable image area. Keep clicking the mouse button to continue to zoom in. Alternatively, if the Zoom In button is selected: click and hold the mouse button down anywhere in the zoomable image area, then drag out a rectangle over the area you're interested in zooming in on, then release the mouse button. The viewer will then go straight to the maximum zoom possible that can include all of the selected area of the image: a) Dragging out the area to be zoomed in on b) The selected area zoomed in An egg-timer icon will appear on the far right hand side of the toolbar (as in the images above) when image information is being downloaded. How long the egg-timer is displayed for will depend on your connection speed. When the egg-timer disappears, all image information for the image area displayed has been downloaded. Whilst image information is being downloaded, the image may initially appear to be "blocky", but will then sharpen up as the detailed image information is downloaded from the server. NB: If you try to zoom past the maximum image resolution, the Maximum Zoom icon appears in the upper left corner of the viewer window. Page Up Zoom Out Zooms out of the image. Click Zoom Out, then click the mouse anywhere in the zoomable image area. Keep clicking the mouse button to continue to zoom out. NB: You cannot zoom out further than the original image size. Page Down Pan Image Pans across a zoomed-in image. Click Pan Image, then click and hold the mouse button down anywhere in the zoomable image area and drag to view a new segment of the image. As with zooming-in, when moving to a new part of the image, the image may initially appear to be "blocky", but will then sharpen up as the detailed image information is downloaded from the server (image information downloading is represented by the egg-timer icon, as detailed above). NB: This will only work if you are zoomed in to some degee i.e. not at maximum zoom out (as you can already see the whole image at maximum zoom out) Use the Arrow keys to move 3 pixels at a time. Use SHIFT + Arrow keys to move 15 pixels at a time. Initial View Returns to the initial view after you've zoomed in, i.e. maximum zoom out. V Show Hotspots Shows any hotspot links. At present there are no hotspot links defined in the images, so this button can be ignored. H Magnifying Glass Magnifies the area within the Magnifying Glass Tool. After clicking the Magnify Glass button, the Magnifying Glass Tool should pop-up over the zoomable image. Click and hold down the mouse button down and drag the Magnifying Glass Tool to magnify the desired section. The magnification level of the image in the Magnifying Glass Tool can be increased or decreased by clicking on the + and - buttons on the Tool. To close the Magnifying Glass Tool, click on the magnifying glass button on the top right-hand side of the Tool. Magnifying Glass Example As with zooming-in, when moving the Magnifying Glass Tool to a new part of the image, the image may initially appear to be "blocky", but will then sharpen up as the detailed image information is downloaded from the server (image information downloading is represented by the egg-timer icon, as detailed above).   Viewer Information Goes to the iSeeMedia website (the vendor that produces the zooming software), where more information about the zooming viewer can be obtained. I

4. Toggle Viewer Type

Clicking the “Switch to Universal Viewer” button toggles the viewer from the Java-based viewer (which may not work correctly on some systems) to the HTML-Only “Universal Viewer”. When in the Universal Viewer, this button will say “Switch to Java Viewer”, and will toggle back to the (default) Java-based viewer.

5. Close Viewer Window

Clicking the “Close Window” button will close the Tablet Image Zooming Viewer window.

Using the “Universal” Tablet Image Zooming Viewer

The Universal Viewer operates in a similar way to the the Java-based viewer, though has some differences and less features (e.g. no Magnifying Glass Tool etc.). However, it does not require Java, and should work on a greater number of machines.Clicking anywhere on the zoomable image will zoom-in one level near that point.

Toolbar Button Function Zoom In Zooms into the image. However, its probably easier to just click on the area of the image you wish to zoom in on. NB: When maximum zoom in has been reached, the image will not zoom in any further. Zoom Out Zooms out NB: You cannot zoom out further than the original image size. Vertical Pan Vertical Pan. Clicking the upwards-pointing arrow part of this button will pan up the image; clicking the downwards-pointing arrow will pan down the image. NB: This will only work if you are zoomed in to some degee i.e. not at maximum zoom out (as you can already see the whole image at maximum zoom out) Horizontal Pan Horizontal Pan. Clicking the leftwards-pointing arrow part of this button will pan the image left; clicking the rightwards-pointing arrow will pan the image right. NB: This will only work if you are zoomed in to some degee i.e. not at maximum zoom out (as you can already see the whole image at maximum zoom out) Initial View Returns to the initial view after you've zoomed in, i.e. maximum zoom out.

To return to the Java-based viewer, click the "Switch to Java Viewer" button.

Printing Images from the Viewers

It is not possible to print images of the tablets directly from the Java-based viewer. However, it is possible to print from the Universal Viewer using the Ctrl-p keys (Command-p on a Mac). Another alternative is to print out screenshots from either viewer (see "Saving Tablet Images" below).

Saving Tablet Images from the Viewers

It is not possible to save images directly from the Java-based viewer, however it is possible to do a screenshot (e.g. by using a dedicated screen capture program like SnagIt ®, or just pressing the "Print Screen" button on your keyboard, then pasting into a graphic manipulation program such as Photoshop ®). Alternatively, it is possible to save views of the tablet images directly from the Universal Viewer by right-clicking (PC) or shift-clicking (Mac) and selecting "Save Picture/Image As..." or "Download Image to Disk".

Important Copyright Information

If saving and/or printing out the Vindolanda tablet images, please bear in mind that the Vindolanda tablet images are for personal and educational use only. Educational institutions may reproduce and distribute these materials for educational use provided credit and notification are given and the copyright notice is retained on any copies made. Commercial use of these materials is prohibited without prior written permission. For more information on this and also on how to obtain larger digital images of the tablets, please see the Copyright Information page.