Creating a Frameset

As always, it is a good idea to plan the frameset before designing it. You might consider several common layouts for framesets. The Create Frameset dialog window has 12 such layouts. A drop-down list selects the number of frames from 2 to 4, and each selection has four arrangements from which to choose (see Figure 10.2). The following list describes common uses for the frames in these framesets:

• Two-paned ” Split into columns . The left pane provides navigation, and the right pane contains content.
• Three-paned ” Split into two rows, with a narrow row at the top. The bottom pane is split into two columns. The topmost row contains a banner that usually consists of a logo, a site name , links, and so on. The left pane again provides navigation, and the right pane displays content.
• Four-paned ” Similar to the three-paned model except that there is a narrow row at the bottom as well site links. The top pane contains a banner and logo. The left pane contains navigation links, the bottom pane contains other site links, and the middle or right frame contains content.

Figure 10.2. Choices for arrangements are available in the Create New Frameset dialog box. Each numbered selection from 2 to 4 has four prebuilt arrangements, for a total of 12 different styles.

Rather than take up space with layouts based on all the previous arrangements, you'll see how to create a frameset with three panes. To create a new frameset, choose Framesets from the database design list. Click the New Frameset button, and the Create New Frameset dialog box opens (see Figure 10.3). Choose 3 for the number of frames, and click the second arrangement from the left. Click OK, and you are presented with a three-paned frameset.

Figure 10.3. Choosing a frameset style is easy with the Create New Frameset window.