The present technique selectively handles image data, which is decomposed into a plurality of resolution levels. The image data may be retrieved in order of progressively higher resolution levels for display in a viewport. Initially, the image data may be displayed in the viewport at a relatively lower one of the plurality of resolution levels. As a user desires higher resolution displays of all or part of the image, one or more of the progressively higher resolution levels may be retrieved and scaled to fit the viewport. Accordingly, the present technique handles the data more efficiently by accessing the image data in blocks corresponding to the plurality of resolution levels, rather than accessing the entirety of the image data. A scaling threshold also can be used to signal the need for a next higher level of the plurality of resolution levels.