DWT Overview

On a lighter note, this entire Help Center was redone and modified using a DWT template. How?? The process was really quite simple.

• We first created one blank page.
• Next we set a table at the top of the page and included our large image.
• We then set a second table which included our "child pages under home" navigation.
• A third table was inserted consisting of one row with two columns. In the left column, we placed the child level navigation links along with the image that changes for each topic area. In the right column, we included a banner region to show the title of each page and a main body (body1) region where we place all of the text.
• At the bottom of the page, we added a final table which includes our copyright information along with navigation to our "global level" pages.
• After the basic design was done, we simply assigned editable regions to the page then saved the page as a DWT template.
• We then began the process of creating new blank pages. We attached the DWT to each page.
• We then copied and pasted the content from our old help center web into the editable regions of the new web.
• The next time we decide to change the look and feel of our web site, we can apply a new template which contains the same editable regions and our site will be updated with just a few clicks of the mouse. Now that's cool!

The following is a screenshot of what our main DWT template page looks like:

All editable areas (those areas where content or navigation is added) are clearly marked with an area name and with a "comment" explaining what goes into each area. Some areas show "add this page..." which is an easy reminder that the new page created from the DWT template needs to be added to the Navigation View before the page will be included in the "family tree structure" and thus added to the navigation bars.

To create new pages, you simply click on the new page icon. This opens a blank new page. The next step is to go to Format > Attach Dynamic Web Template. Then save the page giving it a file name and title. Last step is to drag your new page into the Navigation View. You can now add your text, images, etc. to the editable regions on the page. It's quick and very easy.

The Original Purpose of DWTs:

A Dynamic Web Template's main purpose is to make it easy to design a new web (or rebuild your current web) without having to worry about how the pages are structured. You concern yourself with adding content, product catalog images, shopping cart features, etc.

In the same way that cascading style sheets separate the form from the function of your pages, so does a dynamic web template. DWTs will also make it very easy for those who want to try their hand at table-less designs. Imagine not having to worry about any of those pesky CSS layout issues!

You are going to see a lot of exciting new design development in the coming months.