Using Page Transitions

Page transitions are a fun little feature that help provide a more animated Microsoft PowerPoint-like transition between different pages within your Web site. As the user goes from one page to another within your site (or as he enters or exits), familiar PowerPoint transition effects (done through DHTML) such as Circle in and Horizontal Blinds can be used to bring emphasis to the jumping from one page to another. Browsers that don't support this feature (most non-Microsoft browsers don't) will simply ignore the transition effect request and will show the page as if no transition existed.

The Page Transition tool is found in the Format menu and, as shown in Figure 21.5, requires nothing more than a selection from the menu to insert the desired effect. No additional programming is required.

Figure 21.5. The Page Transitions dialog box lets you choose the event that triggers the transition, the duration of the transition, and the effect.

The event Page Enter (or Exit) triggers the effect for every page on the site where a transition effect is selected. If Site Enter (or Exit) is selected, the transition will only happen once for the user upon entrance (or exit) from the site. This option provides a means for using the effect without requiring a transition every time someone jumps from one page to another within the site. The Duration option lets you choose how quickly the transition renders.

NOTE

Although page transitions are supported by most versions of Internet Explorer, they do take considerably more memory to render than the average Web page and can have the effect of slowing down slower systems surfing your Web pages. Consider this issue when using this animation effect.

They are also considered by most to be as annoying as blinking (or scrolling) text and splash entry pages. Don't annoy your audience.

If your transitions are not appearing as you'd like them to, see "Transitions Don't Work" in the "Troubleshooting" section at the end of this chapter.