jQuery and the cycle plugin:
http://www.malsup.com/jquery/cycle/
It’s probably the easiest crossfading javascript plugin I’ve ever used, and it has TONS of options.
Could look into this Slideshow Alternative at Sonspring: http://sonspring.com/journal/slideshow-alternative
I’m so glad you asked this question – this is actually a back-burner scenario I was going to need to address in the coming months. So, thanks to you and those that have responded!
One thing I should add (that will probably be of interest) is that the cycle plugin has support for controls (previous, next, or jump to slide) as well as pause-on-hover. Also, it supports the ability to wrap the images in individual anchor tags to link to the corresponding story or page.
I second @Nathan Rice re: jQuery. You’d be doing yourself a huge favor to begin using jQuery, it’s like javascript for people who understand Css better than Php.
ymmv of course.
I have the original Slideshow Pro, before it did anything other than cross fade a bunch of images called from an XML file. Let me know if you want it..
I have used this one a few times, works great.
I third anything jQuery. It’s the most robust of the AJAX platforms I’ve used. This was more of what I was thinking you wanted : http://sorgalla.com/jcarousel/
Pick a framework first.
There’s lots for options for JQuery, Mootools, Prototype, Dojo, YUI, etc… the more important question is which framework to use site-wide.
And to that note, most of the javascript geniuses I know rave about JQuery.
I used SmoothGallery for a project and thought it was nice. It has a lot of options, but can be stripped down bare to just a nice javascript slideshow (with or without captions). It’s based on the Mootools framework. http://smoothgallery.jondesign.net/
The combination of jQuery and the cycle plugin is hard to beat, only downside is that you have to load all the images/markup initially. Fine for small slideshows, but might not be the best option if you have large images or a lot of slides.
I love this one. Have used it. It’s based on MooTools, it’s lightweight, it’s easy to configure. It’s great.
http://www.electricprism.com/aeron/slideshow/
@Max,
Not true necessarily. Images can be imported dynamically (assuming you are using a CMS or image management system).
For instance, the WordPress loop can be used to display images that are stored in, say, a custom field.
However, you are correct that the script doesn’t crawl a directory looking for images, then display them. But a little PHP could very easily remedy that.
About The Author
I'm a graphic designer and sometimes writer living in Anderson, South Carolina. I serve as the Design Director for NewSpring Church. I love Jesus, my wife, Levi's Jeans, good Tex-Mex, and 8oz glass bottle Coca-Cola Classic. On good days I love them roughly in that order. Email me.
Your Javascript Slideshow Recommendations?
Thu 03/20/08
Help me out here: I’m looking for a simple Javascript image slideshow… just a fade from one image to another. No bells, whistles, extra text, or anything else. Any tips?