| Creating the Template |
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| The basic layout for the site has been completed. Every
page will look the same except for the content. Instead of
recreating this layout on all the rest of the pages lets convert
this finished page into a template and then use the template
on the blank pages already created and any new pages. The
benefits of using a template are making all the pages in the
site have the same "look and Feel" and making updates
or corrections. Once the template is made we need to define
"editable" and "non-editable" regions.
The "editable" regions are the areas that will be
different on each page, basically the areas that will hold
unique content. The"non-editable" regions are areas
that will be the same on every page and are updatable from
the template. |
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- After saving the mock _up.html page convert it to a
template. Select File then "Save
as Template". All you have to do is name it,
use something like "main". Dreamweaver will
automatically create a folder called "Template"
in the Root and save this document into it. The document
is now "main.dwt", and will still be open. You
can tell which file is open by looking at the top title
bar or the tabs on the lower left. You only need to "Save
as Template" once.From now on when changes
are made to this template you just have to " Save"
not "Save as Template"
since it already is a template.
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- Use this dialogue box to name the template.
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- Notice how the file name and extension has changed as
well as the new additions to the root folder.
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- In this design the whole middle table holds unique content
so it needs to be editable. Making the outside table editable
will allow all of its properties to be editable as well
as all of its content. So select the table, click the
Template tab on the insert tool
bar, then select the "Editable
Region" button. All editable regions need
a unique name so name this one something like content.
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- If done correctly a thin blue line and label will surround
the table, indicating that it is an "editable"
region. All the rest of the document becomes "Non-Editable"
by default.
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- Do not forget to "Save the changes". When
you do this, Dreamweaver will probably ask you to update
pages-- just say "Ok". Now close the template
and it is ready to be applied to all your blank pages.
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