Getting Started
Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS6 is the industry-leading web authoring program. Whether you create websites for a living or plan to create one for your own business, Dreamweaver offers all the tools you need to get professional-quality results.
About Classroom in a Book
Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Classroom in a Book® is part of the official training series for graphics and publishing software developed with the support of Adobe product experts.
The lessons are designed so that you can learn at your own pace. If you’re new to Dreamweaver, you’ll learn the fundamentals of putting the program to work. If you are an experienced user, you’ll find that Classroom in a Book teaches many advanced features, including tips and techniques for using the latest version of Dreamweaver.
Although each lesson includes step-by-step instructions for creating a specific project, you’ll have room for exploration and experimentation. You can follow the book from start to finish, or complete only those lessons that correspond to your interests and needs. Each lesson concludes with a Review section containing questions and answers on the subjects you’ve covered.
TinyURLs
In several points in the book, we reference external information available on the Internet. The uniform resource locators (URLs) for this information are often long and unwieldy, so we have provided custom TinyURLs in their place for your convenience. Unfortunately, the TinyURLs sometimes expire over time and no longer function. If you find that a TinyURL doesn’t work, look up the actual URL provided in the Appendix.
Prerequisites
Before using Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Classroom in a Book, you should have a working knowledge of your computer and its operating system. Be sure you know how to use the mouse, standard menus and commands, and also how to open, save, and close files. If you need to review these techniques, see the printed or online documentation that was included with your Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh operating system.
Installing the program
Before you perform any exercises in this book, verify that your computer system meets the hardware requirements for Dreamweaver CS6, that it’s correctly configured, and that all required software is installed.
Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 software must be purchased separately; it is not included with the lesson files that accompany this book. For system requirements, go to www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/tech-specs.html.
Install Dreamweaver CS6 onto your hard drive from the Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 application DVD (you cannot run the program from the disc) or from the installation files you downloaded from Adobe. For complete instructions on installing the software, see the Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Read Me file on the application DVD or on the web at www.adobe.com/support.
Make sure your serial number is accessible before installing the application.
Copying the Classroom in a Book files
The Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Classroom in a Book DVD includes folders containing all the electronic files for the lessons in the book. Each lesson has its own folder; you must copy the folders to your hard drive to complete the lessons. It is recommended that you copy all lesson folders to your hard drive at once, but to conserve space on your hard disk, you can install individual folders for each lesson as you need them. It is vitally important that you store all lesson folders within a single folder on your hard drive. If you follow the recommended lesson order, this master folder will serve as the local site root folder, as described more fully in Lesson 4, “Creating a Page Layout.”
To install the Classroom in a Book files:
1. Insert the Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Classroom in a Book DVD into your computer’s optical disc drive.
2. Navigate to the CD/DVD drive on your computer.
3. If you intend to complete all lessons in the book in order, drag the Lessons folder to your computer hard drive. Otherwise, skip to step 5.
The Lessons folder contains all the individual lesson folders and other assets needed for the training.
4. Rename the Lessons folder DW-CS6.
This folder will be used as the local site root folder.
5. If you desire to perform one or more lessons individually, copy each lesson folder to your hard drive separately, as needed. Then, proceed to the “Jumpstart” section for more instructions. Do not copy one lesson folder into any other lesson folder.
The files and folders for each lesson cannot be used interchangeably. For specific instructions, see the following section.
Recommended lesson order
The training herein is designed to take you from A to Z in basic to intermediate website design, development, and production. Each new lesson builds on previous exercises, using the files and assets you create to develop an entire website. It is recommended that you perform each lesson in sequential order to achieve a successful result and the most complete understanding of all aspects of web design.
The ideal training scenario will start in Lesson 1 and proceed through the entire book to Lesson 15. Since each lesson builds essential files and content for the next, once you start this scenario you shouldn’t skip any lessons, or even individual exercises. While ideal, this method may not be a practicable scenario for every user. So, if desired, individual lessons can be accomplished using the jumpstart method described in the next section.
Jumpstart
For users who don’t have the time or inclination to perform each lesson in the book in sequence, or who are having difficulty with a particular lesson, a jumpstart method is included to facilitate the performance of individual lessons in or out of sequence. Once you start using the jumpstart method, you will have to use this method for all subsequent lessons. For example, if you want to jumpstart Lesson 6, you will have to jumpstart Lesson 7, too. In many instances, essential files needed for subsequent exercises were built in earlier lessons and exercises and may not be present in a jumpstart environment.
Each lesson folder includes all the files and assets needed to complete the exercises contained within that lesson. Each folder contains finished files, staged files, and customized Template and Library files, but not always a complete set of files that may have been used or completed in other lessons. You may think these folders contain seemingly duplicative materials. But these duplicate files and assets, in most cases, cannot be used interchangeably in other lessons and exercises. Doing so will probably cause you to fail to achieve the goal of the exercise.
The jumpstart method for completing individual lessons treats each folder as a stand-alone website. To jumpstart a lesson, copy the lesson folder to your hard drive and create a new site for that lesson using the Site Setup dialog box. Do not define sites using subfolders of existing sites. Keep your jumpstart sites and assets in their original folders to avoid conflicts. One suggestion is to organize the lesson folders, as well as your own site folders, in a single web or sites master folder near the root of your hard drive. But avoid using the Dreamweaver application folder or any folders that contain a web server, like Apache, ColdFusion, or Internet Information Services (IIS) (which are described more fully in Lessons 13 and 14).
Feel free to use the jumpstart method for all lessons, if you prefer.
To set up a jumpstart site, do the following:
1. Choose Site > New Site.
The Site Setup dialog box appears.
2. In the Site Name field, enter the name of the lesson, such as lesson06.
3. Click the Browse (
) icon next to the Local Site Folder field. Navigate to the desired lesson folder you copied from the Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Classroom in a Book DVD and click Select/Choose.
4. Click the arrow (
) next to the Advanced Settings category to reveal the tabs listed there. Select the Local Info category.
5. Click the Browse icon next to the Default Images Folder field. When the dialog box opens, navigate to the Images folder contained within the lesson folder and click Select/Choose.
6. In the Site Setup dialog box, click Save.
7. The name of the currently active website will appear in the Files panel’s site pop-up menu. If necessary, press F8/Cmd-Shift-F to display the Files panel, and select the desired website you wish to work on from the Show menu.
These steps will have to be repeated for each lesson you wish to jumpstart. For a more complete description of how to set up a site in Dreamweaver, see Lesson 4. Remember, if you use the jumpstart method for all lessons, you may not end up with a complete set of site files in any individual folder when you are finished.
Setting up the workspace
Dreamweaver includes a number of workspaces to accommodate various computer configurations and individual workflows. For this book the Designer workspace is recommended.
1. In Dreamweaver CS6, locate the Application bar. If necessary, choose Window > Application Bar to display it.
2. The default workspace is called Designer. If it is not displayed, use the pop-up menu in the Application bar to choose it.
3. If the default workspace has been modified and certain toolbars and panels are not visible (as they appear in the figures in the book), you can select Window > Workspace > Reset Designer to restore the default configuration.
Most of the figures in this book show the Designer workspace. When you finish the lessons in this book, experiment with various workspaces to find the one that you prefer.
For a more complete description of the Dreamweaver workspaces, see Lesson 1, “Customizing Your Workspace.”
Windows vs. Macintosh instructions
In most cases, Dreamweaver performs identically in both Windows and Mac OS X. Minor differences exist between the two versions, mostly due to platform-specific issues out of the control of the program. Most of these are simply differences in keyboard shortcuts, how dialog boxes are displayed, and how buttons are named. Screen shots may alternate between platforms throughout the book. Where specific commands differ, they are noted within the text. Windows commands are listed first, followed by the Macintosh equivalent, such as Ctrl-C/Cmd-C. Common abbreviations are used for all commands whenever possible, as follows:
Finding Dreamweaver information
For complete, up-to-date information about Dreamweaver panels, tools, and other application features, visit the Adobe website. Choose Help > Dreamweaver Help. The Adobe Help application opens and downloads the latest Help files from the Adobe Community Help website. These files are cached locally so you can access them even when you are not connected to the Internet. You can also download a PDF version of the Dreamweaver Help files from the Adobe Help application.
For additional information resources, such as tips, techniques, and the latest product information, visit www.adobe.com/support/dreamweaver to access the Adobe Community Help page.
Checking for updates
Adobe periodically provides software updates. You can obtain these updates using Adobe Updater if you have an active Internet connection.
1. In Dreamweaver, choose Help > Updates. The Adobe Updater automatically checks for updates for your Adobe software.
2. In the Adobe Updater dialog box, select the updates you want to install, and then click Download And Install Updates to install them.
For book updates and bonus material, visit the book’s page on the web at www.peachpit.com/dwcs6cib.
Additional resources
Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Classroom in a Book is not meant to replace documentation that comes with the program or to be a comprehensive reference for every feature. Only the commands and options used in the lessons are explained in this book. For comprehensive information about program features and tutorials, please refer to these resources:
Adobe Community Help: Community Help brings together active Adobe product users, Adobe product team members, authors, and experts to give you the most useful, relevant, and up-to-date information about Adobe products.
To Access Community Help: To invoke Help, press F1 or choose Help > Dreamweaver Help.
Adobe content is updated based on community feedback and contributions. You can add comments to content and forums (including links to web content), publish your own content using Community Publishing, or contribute Cookbook recipes. Find out how to contribute at www.adobe.com/community/publishing/download.html.
See community.adobe.com/help/profile/faq.html for answers to frequently asked questions about Community Help.
Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Help and Support: www.adobe.com/support/dreamweaver is where you can find and browse Help and Support content on adobe.com.
Adobe Forums: forums.adobe.com lets you tap into peer-to-peer discussions, questions, and answers on Adobe products.
Adobe TV: tv.adobe.com is an online video resource for expert instruction and inspiration about Adobe products, including a How To channel to get you started with your product.
Adobe Design Center: www.adobe.com/designcenter offers thoughtful articles on design and design issues, a gallery showcasing the work of top-notch designers, tutorials, and more.
Adobe Developer Connection: www.adobe.com/devnet is your source for technical articles, code samples, and how-to videos that cover Adobe developer products and technologies.
Resources for educators: www.adobe.com/education offers a treasure trove of information for instructors who teach classes on Adobe software. Find solutions for education at all levels, including free curricula that use an integrated approach to teaching Adobe software and can be used to prepare for the Adobe Certified Associate exams.
Also check out these useful links:
Adobe Marketplace & Exchange: www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange is a central resource for finding tools, services, extensions, code samples, and more to supplement and extend your Adobe products.
Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 product home page: www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver
Adobe Labs: labs.adobe.com gives you access to early builds of cutting-edge technology, as well as forums where you can interact both with the Adobe development teams building that technology and with other like-minded members of the community.
Adobe certification
The Adobe training and certification programs are designed to help Adobe customers improve and promote their product-proficiency skills. There are four levels of certification:
• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)
• Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI)
• Adobe Authorized Training Center (AATC)
The Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) credential certifies that individuals have the entry-level skills to plan, design, build, and maintain effective communications using different forms of digital media.
The Adobe Certified Expert program is a way for expert users to upgrade their credentials. You can use Adobe certification as a catalyst for getting a raise, finding a job, or promoting your expertise.
If you are an ACE-level instructor, the Adobe Certified Instructor program takes your skills to the next level and gives you access to a wide range of Adobe resources.
Adobe Authorized Training Centers offer instructor-led courses and training on Adobe products, employing only Adobe Certified Instructors. A directory of AATCs is available at partners.adobe.com.
For information on the Adobe Certified programs, visit www.adobe.com/support/certification/index.html.