Looking for an Image Rotator for Drupal to Feature Content?

Having built hundreds and hundreds of sites, the question about featuring content with some sort of image rotation is often one of the top "wants" on the client's list. In some cases, the requirements are the basic rotating of images without linking to other content. However, in most cases there is not only a need to link to other content from the rotating images, but also the need to link off site. On occasion, Drupal and I have exchanged heated words trying to get this to work correctly without creating too many steps for the editor or the need for advanced theming beyond what I am comfortable with (I am no expert themer).

In the past, I've implemented this through the use of extra fields on a particular content type, exposed in a view block with some custom theming. I've also created content types specifically built for use in the featured content area. Of course, I've implemented this functionality outside of Drupal, but that is not the point here...

There is an extremely simple solution for this when working with Drupal. I'd like to introduce you to the Views Nivo Slider module. The great thing about this module is that even a novice Drupal user can install this module and get it up and running without having dig around in areas of the code where the results may be unpredictable.

The necessary jQuery plugin is already included (make sure you install the jQuery Update module first), and you'll need the Image Field and Image Cache modules, which you likely already have setup.

Once installed, the module will essentially create a themed view with the Nivo Slider plugin that can be assigned to your block field style. You can use an existing content type or a new content type, link to existing nodes using an autocomplete field for node reference or a generic text field to link to both internal and external content. The integration with ImageCache is there, so you simply select the preset you want to use, choose some transition options and all that is left is to simply assign the block to a region.

If you aren't experienced with views, the setup may take slightly longer while you create the view and locate each of the settings, but the steps are documented on the module page with a few linked screencasts as well.

There are probably other good solutions for this, and I'm not claiming this is the best, but with just a little experience in Drupal and 15 minutes, you can have your own rotating content featured on your site.

Feel free to let me know if I forgot to mention something important or if you have an alternative that you think others would find more useful than this.