Deep Zoom
 | |
| File:Microsoft Deep Zoom Logo | |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 0.9.000.5
/ October 13, 2008 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows(Media) |
| Type | Multimedia |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | MSDN Overview for Developers |
Deep Zoom is an implementation of the Seadragon technology for use in Microsoft Silverlight applications. It allows users to pan around and zoom in a large, high resolution image or a large collection of images. It reduces the time required for initial load by downloading only the region being viewed and/or only at the resolution it is displayed at. Subsequent regions are downloaded as the user pans to (or zooms into them); animations are used to hide any jerkiness in the transition.
History
Seadragon Software first created the Seadragon technology. This technology was then absorbed into the Microsoft Live Labs when Seadragon Software was acquired. Engineers from Seadragon now work with Microsoft to integrate their work into technology such as Silverlight and Photosynth[1].
Deep Zoom Examples
The most famous implementation of Deep Zoom was probably the first. It is the memorabilia collection at the Hard Rock website. Conceived and designed by Duncan/Channon and built by Vertigo, it was demonstrated for the first time in March 2008 at the Microsoft MIX convention in Las Vegas.
An example can be found at http://imagezoom.net: an application developed by TENTEO, a Danish Silverlight Microsoft Partner.
Another example is the Deep Earth project. It is described by its creators as "a community project focused on creating a rich interactive mapping control using Silverlight2 Deep Zoom. Concentrating on Microsoft Virtual Earth imagery and data the project offers team members the opportunity to learn and share while creating something cool and useful."
Blaise Aguera y Arcas gave a demonstration of Seadragon and PhotoSynth at the 2007 TED conference.
Deep Zoom Image
The file format used by Deep Zoom (as well as Photosynth and Seadragon Ajax) is XML based. You can specify a single large image (dzi)[2] or a collection of images (dzc)[3]. It also allows for "Sparse Images"; where some parts of the image have greater resolution than others, an example of which can be found on the Seadragon Ajax home page; The bike image displayed is a sparse image.[4] Though used in the proprietary Deep Zoom, the dzi format is open and able to be used by anyone.
iPhone/iPod Touch development
Microsoft Live Labs has created an application for the Apple AppStore called Seadragon Mobile.[5] It is run over the internet and includes Deep Zoom on the following categories; art, history, maps, photos, Photosynth which anybody can upload to, space and technology & web.
References
- ^ http://blogs.msdn.com/jaimer/archive/2008/03/31/a-deepzoom-primer-explained-and-coded.aspx Jaime Rodriguez: A deepzoom primer ( explained and coded)..
- ^ http://filext.com/file-extension/dzi File Extension for Deep Zoom Image
- ^ http://filext.com/file-extension/dzc File Extension For Deep Zoom Collection
- ^ http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645077(VS.95).aspx Deep Zoom File Format Overview
- ^ http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/14/microsoft-releases-first-iphone-application-seadragon/ Microsoft releases first iPhone/iPod application, Seadragon