Design Changes

FrontPage has always excelled as a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) Web page development product. The changes in this release continue in that proud tradition by providing additional layout tools that give you more specific design capabilities, graphics tools that let you use whatever elements you want to use (Microsoft or not), and compatibility tools that make sure your site can be seen by whoever is looking at it.

Layout Tools

An impressive number of layout tools are introduced in FrontPage 2003 that provide a number of features that assist considerably in the design process. They are brand new to FrontPage 2003 and not just improvements on previous features.

Layout Tables and Cells provide a means and paradigm for producing Web content with a more traditional layout process that is closer in approach to traditional print. Integration into FrontPage is done through a new Layout Tables and Cells task pane.

The new Dynamic Web Templates introduce a Web template format that enables certain sections or areas to be "locked" from editing by the end user. When used properly, this approach can force a set look and feel through a Web site.

FrontPage 2003 also provides Page Ruler and Layout Grids options that assist considerably when the pixel layout is being developed.

A new Image Tracing tool can help a developer trace Web layout (usually in the form of layout tables and cells) up against a graphic superimposed on the FrontPage workspace. This graphic is never seen by the end user, but simply provides another means for layout and design down to the pixel level.

FrontPage 2003 uses and implements Themes differently than in previous versions. Because they affect the layout of a Web page, they are also discussed in this section.

The Layout Tables and Cells Task Pane

You are now able to take considerably more control over your page layout through a new Layout Tables and Cells task pane (see Figure 1.1). To open it, select Table, Layout Tables and Cells while in Design view. You can also access it using the dropdown menu in the task pane itself.

Figure 1.1. The Layout Tables and Cells task pane provides new tools for enabling a specific layout on your Web page.

With this tool, you can choose from a preset page layout or use the Layout Tool to define exactly how your page is to be laid out.

For more detailed information on designing with tables and the use of Layout Tables and Cells, see "Using Tables," p. 189.

Dynamic Web Templates

Dynamic Web Templates are Web templates with additional design and layout capabilities. A Dynamic Web Template lets you create multiple pages on a site that shares the same layout and gives you the power to lock areas of a Web page from being edited by others in your design team. This gives you the ability to broaden the amount of people who can assist you in the Web design process because the fear of a beginner deleting something can quickly be erased by his simple inability to do so.

For more detailed information on using dynamic Web templates, see "Dynamic Web Templates," p.411.

Page Rulers and Layout Grids

FrontPage 2003 adds the option for page rulers and layout grids to assist in page layout (see Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.2. The Page Rulers and Layout Grids provide assistance with exact layout requirements.

Image Tracing

This new tool enables a developer to develop a site by tracing elements of a graphic while working in Design view (see Figure 1.3). This enables developers to produce sites from artist renditions.

Figure 1.3. FrontPage 2003 will let you place graphics behind your page that can be "traced" into your Web design.

New and Improved Themes

FrontPage Themes were previously contained and published via HTML, adding a considerable amount of additional content to a Web site. In FrontPage 2003, they are applied using CSS, giving a much smaller footprint to their use than before.

For more information on themes, see "Using Themes," p. 133.

Additional Layout Tools

In addition to the specifics mentioned previously, FrontPage 2003 provides the following additional Layout Tools:

• Design Time layers make it easier to work with multiple pieces of content activated through included DHTML scripting tools.

• Layout detection makes it easier to work with layout tables because you can toggle the ability to lay out a table based on table contents.

• Through the new views and streamlining of the desktop interface, FrontPage 2003 also provides a potentially bigger design area. If desired and set accordingly, the product gives more space than previously providing for an improved working environment.

Graphics Tools

The Internet holds many different file types and graphics standards. Microsoft has realized this and introduced a considerably more advanced level of graphics support to the product. When bringing graphics from another program, Smart Tags are attached to give you more configuration capabilities.

Macromedia Flash has quickly become an industry standard for multimedia. Flash content is now added to a FrontPage Web site by simply dragging it into the work area. Double-clicking a Flash element in design view will allow you to set specific movie properties.

In addition, you can now configure a different editor for every graphic type with FrontPage 2003's multiple editor configuration option. You can set this feature through the Configure Editors tab of the Options dialog box.

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Editor configuration is not just specific to graphics. It also works with all file types. If you have a specific product you use to edit certain script or data types, be sure to include it through the Configure Editors tab of the Options dialog box.

Compatibility Tools

FrontPage 2003 provides a considerably more complex browser and resolution compatibility toolset. The following list outlines some of the improvements you will find:

• FrontPage 2003 lets you set the page size you are designing for in a new page size option.

• The Preview in Browser option has been updated to included screen resolution.

• Browser compatibility features are enhanced with the new Browser Compatibility tool (see Figure 1.4).

  Figure 1.4. The Browser Compatibility tool provides considerably more power to make sure that your site can be viewed on the platforms you choose.

  

In addition, FrontPage 2003 has a new accessibility checker that will let you know how well your site follows accessibility guidelines and will make recommendations for making your site more accessible.

For more information on FrontPage's new accessibility features, see "FrontPage's Accessibility Features," p. 235.