Search Addison, the library catalog

Virginia Tech's Luna Insight® Digital Image Database

Screenshot of Luna Insight software.  Screenshot of Luna Insight software.

What is Luna Insight?

Insight provides tools for accessing web-based digital image collections. The software allows you to search image collections, manipulate selected images using a "digital lightbox", and create image-based presentations that are ideal for classroom and professional use. Unique features of the presentation software allow for zooming in and cropping of high-resolution images during a presentation, in addition to the ability to annotate and weblink content. Individual images can also be exported for use in other presentation software, such as PowerPoint, and as html pages.

The Insight software and digital image collections hosted on the Virginia Tech site are available for use by Virginia Tech students and faculty. Certain collections are available for use by the general public through the Insight Browser. Contact Steve Tatum for a username and password to access the Virginia Tech collections.

Back to top

Why use Insight? "Insight enhances teaching & research"

Back to top

How can I get started?

Search image collections & Create presentations:The Insight Java client software must first be installed on your computer in order to access Virginia Tech image collections. Versions are available for both PC and Macintosh computers. You can download the Java client from this link (download instructions are included):

Insight Java Client Download

After downloading and starting the Insight Application, you will be asked for a login password. To acquire a login password, please email Steve Tatum.

The Java client version is ideal for:

Browse image collections:The biggest difference between the Java client version and web based browser version of Insight is that cross-collection searching is not possible using the browser software; only one collection may be searched at a time.

Browser Link

The Browser version is ideal for:

Back to top

Technical requirements and platforms supported

 

Help guides, standards and policy documents for Luna Insight digital image collections at Virginia Tech

Database Guides:

Standards, Policies and Procedures

Back to top

How can I help build image collections in Insight?

There are two ways in which you can help build collections in Insight. Virginia Tech's Luna Insight Digital Image Database includes Main Collections that are departmentally-based, and Personal Collections that can be created by individual faculty.

In order to participate in collection building, the University Libraries may request some financial contribution from departments, colleges, or other units to cover ongoing costs of server space and/or related services. Please contact Steve Tatum (231-6182) or Gail McMillan (231-9252) for more information.

Participating Colleges (as of 3/05):

Initial consultation and basic training will be provided by University Libraries staff that includes:

Back to top

Virginia Tech's Luna Insight digital image collections slated for Insight

College of Architecture and Urban Studies: Steve Tatum (231-6182)
Art, Architecture and Design Collections scope: architecture, art, building construction, environmental design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, public administration/policy, urban planning, and related fields. Images considered for inclusion in the Insight database will be those needed for instruction and research by faculty within the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

College of Veterninary Medicine: David Sampson (231-2315)
Veterinary Medicine Collections scope: Images considered for inclusion will be those needed for instruction and research by faculty within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Digital Library and Archives: Gail McMillan (231-9252)
Collections scope: Unique materials of importance to the university, its colleges, departments, units, students, faculty and alumni. Digital images to be moved from the VT ImageBase are largely from University Libraries' Special Collections (Rare Books, Manuscripts, and University Archives), including scanned photographs, drawings, blueprints, correspondence, diaries, ledgers, music, maps, scrapbooks, and more. In addition to regional and university history, topics currently include Christiansburg Institute, Civil War, cookery, exhibitions, International Archive of Women in Architecture, Mexican War, Phycological Society, Al Gross, Theater and Music, Railroad, and Virginia Academy of Science.

Back to top

Collections currently available in Insight Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff may access the following collections that were acquired with Luna Insight

Estate Project Virtual Collection: Includes works create by artists with HIV/AIDS from the Alliance for the Arts. (3,065 images) via Java Client. More info

Farber Gravestone Collection: Sponsored by the American Antiquarian Society. Pre-1800 gravestone sculpture from New England. (13,527 images) via Java Client. More info.

David Rumsey Map Collection: Cartographic material of North and South America from the 18th and 19th Centuries, including atlases, globes and maps. (1,075 images) via Java Client. More info.

Mitsui Map Collection - Japanese Historical Maps from University of California at Berkeley's East Asian Library:Maps of Japan (major cities) and the world before 1890. (209 images) via Java Client. More Info.

Collections Available from the David Rumsey Website - public and subscribed. More info.

Terms and Conditions of Use

Items may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17,U.S.C.). Usage of some items may also be subject to additional restrictions imposed by the copyright owner and/or the producing institution.

By their use of these digital images, texts, audio and video recordings, users agree to follow these conditions of use:

Please contact any of the following departmental representatives for information on reproducing, re-publishing, or mounting digital image material on an additional server.

Back to top

Portions of this website were adapted from UC Berkeley's CDL/Insight website.

Images used with permission from Luna Imaging: http://www.luna-imaging.com/

Last updated:1/9/08 by Robert Sebek