7.5. Zoomable User Interface

A Zoomable User Interface (ZUI) is another way to create a virtual canvas. Unlike panning or flicking through a flat, two-dimensional space, a ZUI allows the user to also zoom in to elements on the page. This freedom of motion in both 2D and 3D supports the concept of an infinite interface.

Practically speaking, ZUIs have rarely been available in everyday software applications, much less on the Web. But with more advanced features added to Flash and the advent of Silverlight, this type of interface is starting to emerge and may be commonplace in the not-too-distant future.