 We have tried to make the experience of "zooming" in and out of the "timescape" similar to that of zooming in and out of space in applications like Google and Yahoo Maps. Currently, there are 61 zoom levels, from zero to 60.
When the zoom level is set to zero, the timeline shows the "closest" possible view -- just a few hours stretch across the screen. Set to 60, a century is an inch or so wide.
Each timeline has an "initial zoom" level. This would be the default zoom level at which the timeline first appears when selected or loaded. A "Family History" timeline may want to show the "big picture", and then allow viewers to zoom in as they wish. Setting the initial zoom level at 45 shows about 30 years across the screen. One might want to start viewers closer, too, so that they begin by seeing only today and yesterday — this would be a zoom level between about 5 and 10. |
