By Alan Agadoni, Senior Vice President, EDR® at LightBox
We’re back with round two of the Level Up series, where I walk through the latest upgrades in LightBox Live—and how we are making life easier for environmental professionals. This time, it’s all about what’s faster, smarter, and easier on your eyes.
Right out of the gate, users are noticing the modern interface: cleaner, sharper, and built to streamline your projects. But don’t worry—the landing page is instantly recognizable, navigation is intuitive, and your current workflows are ready to roll.
Let’s get into what’s new—and why it matters.
What’s Familiar (and That’s a Good Thing)
If you’ve been using our online viewer for years, you’ll feel right at home. The basic concept remains the same since we invented the online data and image viewer: The map remains on the left, and findings are on the right. Key features like list and map interaction, and record filtering by database, elevation, and distance, work just as they did in the previous version. Even the iconography feels familiar—just fresher. No training required—jump right in and stay productive on your current projects.
Streamlined Content = More Time Back
We took direct feedback from EPs in the field and streamlined the interface: cleaner, more intuitive, and easier to navigate. The result? You go from reviewing data to exporting your findings to a report in fewer clicks. For those of us who spend hours reviewing records and images, the new modern interface featuring a dark theme is a major upgrade—especially when you’re knee-deep in 10,000 rows of agency data.
Want more visual control? Choose between base street maps and satellite imagery—each designed to enhance contrast and make it easier to spot what matters. Once you use it, you just may not want to go back.
Smarter Detail Cards
You click on a record—now what? You’re greeted with a smarter detail card. We’ve added frozen headers, so you always know what you’re looking at, even as you scroll. Plus, a new Hide Not Reported toggle lets you ditch the clutter and focus only on what matters. Fewer distractions = faster reviews.
Faster Access to What You Need
All your database records and imagery are now at your fingertips—literally. Open multiple lists in tabs (yes, just like Excel), for easy, instant switching between sources. Toggle layers directly from the map, including topographics, contours, flood zones, and more.
And those parcel buttons? Now they are right on the map for quick-access, including tax parcel buttons with address labels, so you can pinpoint properties faster than ever.
As before, you can view images overlaid on current street or satellite maps—but now, you can layer multiple historical images on top of one another and use the opacity slider to compare them in real time. Overlay a Sanborn Map with an aerial photo and a street map, and slide between them seamlessly. For anyone researching older properties with complex histories, this is a game-changer.
We’ve also added quick-access tax parcel buttons directly on the map, with labels to quickly identify addresses of interest.
Why It All Matters
These aren’t just user interface upgrades—they’re real, tangible boosts to your efficiency. Better speed. Less fatigue. More flexibility. And a smoother, more modern experience that supports the way you actually work.
Are you on LightBox Live yet? If not…why not? With these upgrades, your workflow will benefit, and your team will thank you.
Stay tuned—next time, I’ll dig into the new data and content powering your reports.
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– Alan
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