Create Interactive Images Fast with CoffeeCup Image Mapper

Key features typically include:

• Point-and-click hotspot creation (rectangles, circles, polygons).
• Assigning links, alt text, and target attributes to hotspots.
• Previewing and editing hotspots interactively.
• Exporting HTML code or saving projects for later editing.
• Some versions may include responsive image-map support or scripts to help scale hotspots with images.

Installing and launching CoffeeCup Image Mapper

1. Download and install CoffeeCup Image Mapper from the CoffeeCup website or through the CoffeeCup HTML Editor package if bundled.
2. Launch the Image Mapper application.
3. Create a new project and import the image you want to use as the base.

If you’re using a newer CoffeeCup suite that integrates Image Mapper into a larger editor, look for “Image Map” or “Map Editor” tools in the toolbar or Insert menu.

Creating your first image map — step by step

1. Open your chosen image in CoffeeCup Image Mapper.
2. Select a shape tool: rectangle, circle, or polygon (for irregular regions).
3. Draw the hotspot over the area you want clickable.
   • For polygons, click to add each vertex; double-click to close the shape.
4. In the hotspot properties panel, set:
   • URL (link destination).
   • Target (_self, _blank, etc.).
   • Alt text / Title (important for accessibility).
   • Optionally, a tooltip or onClick JavaScript action.
5. Repeat for each clickable area on the image.
6. Use the preview function to test hotspots and links.
7. Export the HTML code or save the project.

Accessibility best practices

• Always provide descriptive alt text for the main image.
• Provide meaningful alt/title for each hotspot so screen readers can convey the purpose.
• Consider a text-based alternative (e.g., a list of links below the image) so keyboard-only users and assistive technologies can access the same navigation.
• Ensure focus styles for keyboard navigation if hotspots require JavaScript.

Making image maps responsive

Traditional image maps use pixel coordinates, which don’t scale automatically with responsive images. To make maps responsive:

• Use a JavaScript library (e.g., image-map-resizer) that recalculates area coordinates on window resize.
• Some CoffeeCup versions include built-in responsive support—enable that option if available.
• Alternatively, use CSS to set the image width to 100% and add a script to adjust hotspot coordinates.

Example approach (general idea; check the exact script your tool exports):

1. Include a small script after the image map HTML that listens for resize events.
2. Recompute coordinates relative to the current image width/height.

Common use cases

• Interactive site navigation (e.g., clickable regions on a homepage graphic).
• Product images with click-to-buy regions.
• Educational diagrams where each part links to explanations.
• Real estate floor plans with room links.
• Infographics that link to deeper content.

Troubleshooting tips

• Hotspots misaligned after resizing: ensure a responsive script is active or use percentage-based mapping if supported.
• Links not working: check that the
  
• Tool won’t export code: save the project and try exporting again; check for updates or reinstall if needed.

Example HTML output

Below is a simplified example of the HTML structure CoffeeCup Image Mapper might export:

<img src="floorplan.jpg" usemap="#mypmap" alt="Office floor plan" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;"> <map name="mypmap" id="mypmap">   <area shape="rect" coords="34,44,270,350" href="room1.html" alt="Room 1">   <area shape="poly" coords="290,172,333,250,412,210,358,160" href="room2.html" alt="Room 2">   <area shape="circle" coords="480,120,60" href="conference.html" alt="Conference Room"> </map> <script src="image-map-resizer.min.js"></script> <script>imageMapResize();</script> 

Alternatives and when to choose them

Next steps & resources

• Try mapping a simple image (e.g., your profile photo or a map) and link three areas.
• Experiment with polygon hotspots for complex shapes.
• Add accessible text alternatives under the image for users who can’t use image maps.
• Look up the image-map-resizer script if you need responsive behavior.

CoffeeCup Image Mapper makes image maps approachable: draw hotspots, assign links, export code. Start with a small project, follow accessibility practices, and use a responsive script when needed to ensure your maps work across devices.