Beginning PHP4 : Generating Graphics Part 6 - Advanced Graphics Manipulation

Now that we understand the basics of image functions and how we can apply them, let's take a look at some of the more advanced functions, the concepts behind them and their application.

Beginning PHP4 : Generating Graphics Part 5 - Further Interactivity

What we have so far is a searchable database whose results can be displayed graphically. However, suppose we want to make the map more interactive and let the user click on the shop to get more information? What we need is an imagemap, a piece of HTML that defines regions within an image so that different actions can be taken when the user clicks on different parts of the image.

Beginning PHP4 : Generating Graphics Part 4 - Practical Application

It's all very well being able to draw images on the fly, but it's all very superficial. Thousands of web sites provide copies of the same bland information and links to the same articles/jokes/urban legends. What makes a web site truly stand out is when you offer something unique and dynamic – something that the people browsing your site can't easily do for themselves or get somewhere else.

Beginning PHP4 : Generating Graphics Part 3 - Putting it all Together

So far we've covered creating an image, outputting it to the browser and cleaning up after ourselves. Between creating the image and outputting it we also covered creating lines, circles and rectangles on our image.

Beginning PHP4 : Generating Graphics Part 2 - Drawing on our Image

Now that we've seen how the coordinate system works and have two colors to draw with, we can start making pictures. But what about allocating a background color for our image? ImageCreate()didn't have an argument that allowed us to specify the background color of the image.

Beginning PHP4 : Generating Graphics Part 1 - Laying a Foundation

PHP contains a range of functions that allow you to open, manipulate and output graphics to the web browser. During this chapter we will explore how these functions work and how we can apply them to display our data.