What does the Hotspot class in .NET do? What is an ImageMap in ASP.NET?

An ImageMap is an ASP.NET control that allows clicks inside a polygon like (called Hotspot) region in a webpage. Well, that actually means you may create a star-shaped or diamond shaped button. Wow!

There are several pre-defined shapes allowed inside an ImageMap for which templates may be used. For example, for a rectangle, an asp:RectangularHotSpot may be used. For a circle, an asp:CircleHotSpot may be used. And for creating stars & diamonds, an asp:PolygonHotSpot may be used. An image may also be put in an ImageMap which may be specified by its ImageUrl property.

In order to invoke an event, the HotSpotMode property needs to be set to PostBack. Further, if several HotSpots are placed inside an ImageMap, the event of the ImageMap may be passed a value using the PostBackValue property.

Code below shows how to create a Polygon HotSpot using an ImageMap.

<asp:ImageMap ID="ImageMap1" Runat="Server"
ImageUrl="Photo.gif" OnClick="SomeEvent"
AlternateText="Click Here"
HotSpotMode="Navigate">

<asp:PolygonHotSpot
AlternateText="Click Here Too!"
Coordinates="100,150, 250,350, 210,290, 90,350, 60,240"
NavigateUrl="http://www.asp.net"
Target="_blank"/>
</asp:ImageMap>