Shadowbox
Shadowbox is a JavaScript library that enables website users to view images, video, and other content in lightbox-style popups. It provides an elegant overlay display and rich media support without requiring Flash.
lightbox
javascript
image-viewer
popup
Shadowbox: Rich Media Lightbox Library
Shadowbox is a JavaScript library that enables website users to view images, video, and other content in lightbox-style popups. It provides an elegant overlay display and rich media support without requiring Flash.
What is Shadowbox?
Shadowbox is an open-source JavaScript library created for displaying media content such as images, videos, PDFs, and more in an elegant overlay popup display on a website. It allows web developers to easily implement lightbox functionality to showcase media content in a more immersive viewer without leaving the current page.
Some key features of Shadowbox include:
- Supports a wide range of media types including images, HTML content, inline media, iframes, and AJAX loaded content
- Fully customizable appearance with custom skins and options for animations, transitions, gallery modes, and slideshow functionality
- Keyboard shortcuts and mouse wheel support for accessible navigation
- Fallback content for users without JavaScript enabled
- Modular architecture allowing advanced customizations and extensions
- Free and open source (MIT license)
While Shadowbox requires JavaScript to function, it has an advantage over Flash-based lightboxes in providing greater accessibility, search engine optimization, and customization options. It continues to be updated by an active open source community and is used by many popular websites to display media content elegantly without leaving the page.
Shadowbox Features
Features
- Displays photos, videos, PDFs, and other content in pop-up overlays
- Works with common media formats like YouTube, Vimeo, Flickr, etc.
- Customizable with themes, transitions, animations
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Social media sharing options
- Responsive design
- Works on mobile and touch devices
- Lightweight codebase
Pricing
- Open Source
- Free
Pros
Enhances user experience for media-rich sites
Easy implementation with minimal coding
Good documentation and support
Open source and free
Wide browser support
Customizable without coding
Lightweight performance
Cons
Can be tricky to customize extensively
Occasional bugs or inconsistencies
Not ideal for large volumes of media content
Limited native video player features
Development has slowed in recent years
Official Links
The Best Shadowbox Alternatives
Top Photos & Graphics and Image Viewers and other similar apps like Shadowbox
Here are some alternatives to Shadowbox:
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