Early 2006, a cool guy named Lokesh Dhakar introduced Lightbox, a unobtrusive script used to display large images using modal dialogs over a black faded background. A great script, really. Since, every once in a while, someone comes up with their own take at this concept, using this or that javascript library (jQuery, Prototype, Mootools, YUI, you name it) and supporting various types of objects: images, flash objects, videos, inline HTML content, iframes, content fetched via an Ajax call, etc…
Recently, thinking about ditching Prototype here on this blog, I wondered if there was any cool Lightbox clone for jQuery. Man, there are dozens of them. How am I supposed to chose the one that will suit my needs? I started to write down a few URLs and comments, then it occurred to me that I could make something cooler. A few coding later, here is the Lightbox Clones Matrix!
I’ve listed more than 30 scripts, detailing for each one:
- Its javascript size (not considering CSS, images or anything else)
- The library needed, if any, mentionning its javascript size. I opted to compare uncompressed javascript file sizes, as it (sorts of) reflects the complexity and/or power of the library, regardless of how packed/minified/obfuscated it usually ships.
- The total javascript size. This data won’t interest someone already using a javascript library on their site, obviously.
- Image support
- The ability to group images into a single collection, allowing for easily browsing through images within the same overlay
- Any other common object supported: inline content (ie content already existing in the page, but typically hidden), iframe, content fetched by an Ajax call, video, Flash.
To make things cuter and quicker to read, everything is summarized by a row of pretty icons (mostly coming from the wonderful Silk set)
Of course, what would be the point of it if you couldn’t quickly restrict you search to a few criteria? There’s a handy filter set to make your selection easier. All the options are logical “OR”, ie selecting several features will list scripts with at least one of them. Note that you can shrink the filter box if you don’t need it.
Overall I had some fun making the Lightbox Clones Matrix. I hope it will be actually of any use to someone. Bookmark it, just in case you need it in the future! ;)
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commented, on 24/Jan/10 at 4:53 pm # :
G’day all,
Great to see the web world so robust.
Here is the $64 question – does ANY of these scripts work before the page has fully loaded?
Cheers
said, on 18/Jan/10 at 8:23 pm # :
Here is another one:
http://www.plashenkov.com/2010/01/lightweight-image-viewer-for-your-site.html
Please include it to your matrix if possible. Thank you!
wrote, on 03/Jan/10 at 7:19 pm # :
A very useful list indeed. Thabnk you very much.
thought, on 20/Nov/09 at 7:58 pm # :
Colin » Done. Thanks for your interest.
replied, on 20/Nov/09 at 1:37 am # :
Hi great list! Could you add my lightbox clone to your list? CeeBox. It has some functionality that others don’t and I’d like to get it out there so others can use it if they need to.
Name: CeeBox
Framework: jQuery
Size mimimized (but not gziped): 12KB
Size unminimized (with all comments): 28KB
Can display images: Yes
Can group images into sets: Yes
Can display inline elements: Yes
Can display iframes: Yes
Can fetch content via Ajax: Yes
Can display Flash: Yes
Can display various Video objects: Yes
Other functionality: Can auto embed videos from youtube,facebook,metacafe, cnn, and a number of other video sites. Can display html and video in grouped gallery format along with images.
Thanks!
-Colin
replied, on 11/Nov/09 at 7:27 pm # :
Hi Hoz, i just released the new version of pirobox,
http://www.pirolab.it/pirobox/
Can you update the size of the script (11KB full version 8KB min version), it works with the latest jquery 1.3.2 that is 56KB so the total size goes from 64KB to 67KB.
TNX aloT and regards,Diego
replied, on 01/Nov/09 at 2:16 pm # :
Hi Ozh,
bumpbox has been updated – using now some CSS3 styles, has a new media detection routine as well plays MP3 files now – seems you need to update your legend a bit to show this ^^
all the best
Frank
wrote, on 22/Oct/09 at 8:27 pm # :
Ryan » totally off topic. This is Flash. This is obstrusive.
wrote, on 22/Oct/09 at 7:15 pm # :
The one that I would have to recommend is Simple Viewer. You can find it here
http://topclonescripts.info/?p=169
I use this on a bunch of sites, and their own CMS which is available as well. Cant recommend it highly enough, and it also looks amazing!
thought, on 16/Oct/09 at 3:59 pm # :
Hi Ozh,
I would like to recommend 2 Lightbox clones for you:
- TinyBox JavaScript Popup Box
- Clearbox 3
It is a very useful list. Good work!