When it comes to creating richer web interfaces, using images to improve the experience is a most important way to do it. Therefore, we’re proud to release the PictureSlides DOMAssistant plugin.

PictureSlides is a highly customizable way to create picture slideshows, image presentations and also complete picture galleries. You can choose to only show large images, hook in PictureSlides to your already existing HTML or create galleries where you can present entire photo sets.

The options include such features as:

• Have slideshows start at page load.
• Automatically loop slideshows.
• Use a Lightbox-like feature to dim out the rest of the page during slideshows.
• Fade ins and fade outs.
• Optionally preload all the images, to improve end user experience.
• Programmatically choose what images to start with; for instance, taken from the requesting URL to the page using PictureSlides.
• Use keyboard shortcut support.
• Use back and forward navigation links.
• Presenting a text next to the picture.
• Use an image counter.

PictureSlides consists of two files: one with the core PictureSlides functionality, and one PictureSlides-settings file where you set all the parameters, features and values you want to use. For more information, read through the Implementation instructions to see how you can adapt PictureSlides completely to your needs.

Downloads and demos

But, nothing says it better than you trying out one of the demos, complete with downloadable packages that you can just take and use. The demos are:

• Picture gallery
• Slideshow only and autoplay
• Large image with navigation links

The source code to download is available through Google code, where you can report any potential issue or just download the latest versions of the files.

Try it out and let us know what you think!