New Features in WoltLab Suite 6.2: New Image Viewer

With the upcoming version WoltLab Suite 6.2, we are saying goodbye to our outdated image viewer and introducing a completely redesigned successor that not only looks more modern, but is also much better positioned in terms of technology and functionality.

Why a New Image Viewer?

The previous viewer was designed specifically for images and reached its limits in several areas:

  • Images too large for the original view: Images were often embedded at a size that made native viewing almost impractical.
  • No support for videos: Our old viewer could only display images, which seemed increasingly outdated, especially in the gallery or with media attachments.
  • Mobile operation in need of improvement: The user experience on smartphones was not optimal and did not meet modern UI standards.
  • Outdated source code: The old image viewer was still based on jQuery and was therefore a major component that stood in the way of our goal to make our software completely jQuery-free.

What the New Image Viewer from Version 6.2 Brings

With the new viewer, we are responding directly to these weaknesses - and at the same time taking the user experience to a new level.

Smooth Transitions Instead of Hard Jumps

When opening images, a subtle animation is now used to visually soften the transition. Image changes within a gallery are also carried out with smooth animations, which makes navigation much more pleasant.

Support for Videos and External Platforms

The new viewer can do more than just images: Videos can be displayed directly - whether as separate uploads or embedded in galleries. YouTube and Vimeo content is also supported, using our tried-and-tested opt-in solution for integrating external content.

Clear Separation of Attachments Within a Post

Another advantage: The viewer now only shows attachments of the respective post - there is no more unintentional “scrolling” through images of other posts in the same topic.

Mobile Operation: Intuitive and Touch-optimized

A major focus was on a better mobile experience. The new viewer impresses here:

  • Swipe gestures to switch between images - as you would expect from modern apps.
  • Zoom using finger gestures, just as intuitive as on Android or iOS.
  • Optimized buttons that remain discreet and leave more space for the image.

Developer-friendly: Easy Switch with Compatibility

The switch is also straightforward for developers:

  • Thanks to a compatibility layer, existing invocations initially remain functional.
  • Switching to the new API requires minimal effort - and enables clean, modern integration in the long term. (see the developer documentation)

The new image viewer is an example of targeted, sensible further development in detail: better for users, more flexible for developers - and ready for all media formats that modern communities expect today.

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