Does anyone know how to save / preserve image maps when updating graphics?

Report · Aug 11, 2009

Hello all,

I'm currently working on a RH7 HTML project, which I've designed to be used in support of a software application.

Some of the application's dialogue boxes have quite complex multi-tabbed GUIs, so when it comes to describing their functionality, you often end up with a long list below the graphic image. What this means of course, is that the user is forever scrolling up and down to make reference between the GUI and the explanatory text.

I hit upon an idea I'd used previously, whereby I created popups to multiple image map hotspots. It works like a dream and the client and users really like the concept - but there's a snag (apparently).

Because the application is still in development. some of those GUIs are (and will continue to) change. No problem with that either - until I try and insert the updated graphic. Poof !! All my hotspots disappear . . .

Surely I'm not alone in trying this approach and there must be some way of preserving the hotspots?

Any suggestions?

Bob (in a UK time zone)

Report · Aug 11, 2009

Hi there

It sounds like you are using the standard methods of inserting an image. Don't do that!

All you need to do in these cases is to use Windows Explorer to save the updated image using the same file name and replacing the former image. When you do this your other data will remain intact. If the new image is a different size, just right-click it inside the RoboHelp HTML editor and choose Reset Size. You also may need to tweak your hotspots if things shifted some.

Cheers... Rick

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Report · Aug 27, 2009

Hi Rick,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you - your answer does provide me with a workaround, which I had sort of figured out with a little test that I ran myself, subsequent to my posting.

The only downside to the technique is that we're supposed to have strict version control on all updates, which means that simply overwriting the original file destroys that integrity. The trade-off is to re-do hundreds of hotspots each time if I use the "standard" method of bringing in a replacement graphic - which of course, destroys all the image map information

I've come up with a solution - less time consuming, but nonetheless still requires considerable effort, and that's to copy all the existing graphics into an archive, rename them to reflect the (previous) version of the build and then bring in the new graphic by saving it under the original name. Messy and no room for error.

But thanks again for your advice - which as I said, it works . . .

I was rather hoping for a slicker solution . . . It's just a pity that the guys on the Adobe / RH development team don't take that on board and come up with some way of preserving the image map information . . .

Cheers from London!

Bob