Active overlay system and method for accessing and manipulating imaging displays

A method for execution in a computing environment for providing access to one or more program functions for interacting with and manipulating a digital image, the method comprising:

• providing an overlay of one or more annotated fields superimposed on a display of the digital image, wherein said annotated fields correlate to one or more informational items;
• said one or more informational items comprising at least one of parameters and values relating to the display of the digital image;
• activating one or more of said annotated fields, wherein said activated fields are selectable to accept direct input by a user of a value for said correlating one or more informational items;
• wherein the movement of a cursor over any of said activated annotated fields results in a display of an indicia indicating to the user that said activated annotated field can receive said direct input of said value;
• allowing for the selection of said activated annotated field that is associated with said display of said indicia using said cursor;
• allowing for direct input of said value by said user in said selected activated annotated field;
• and
• utilizing said value to provide data to the one or more program functions to thereby interact with and manipulate the digital image.