TIP 129: Navigating the Library Palette

Start by opening the Library palette from the Window menu. This little palette is multi-talented. It stores items that are available for use application-wide as well as items specific to any open Web site projects.

Stored in Site Extras

Notice that the sections of the Library palette correspond with folders in the Extras tab of the Site window. All you need to remember is this: Reusable items are stored in the Extras tab, but to make use of them it's often easier to drag from the Library palette.

Additionally, any templates and stationery files you create for your site will be available via the File > New… dialog in the Web category.

Across the top of the Library palette are six buttons: Snippets, Components, Smart Objects, Stationery, Templates, and Documents. To see what's in the Snippets area, click the Snippets button, and so on (Figure 129a).

Figure 129a. The Library palette.

In the area below the buttons is a folder called Application-wide along with folders representing any sites you have open. These folders work like the folders in the Files tab of the Site window. They can be toggled open or closed by clicking the gray arrow to the left of the folder name (click the plus (+) sign in Windows), or you can drill down into a folder by double-clicking it. Use the up arrow in the upper left corner to move back up a level.

Storing and Using

You can drag items into the folders in the Library palette to store them and drag them from the folders onto pages or into the Site window to use them.

In the Library palette's flyout menu are options to turn preview on and off and to have the preview appear at the right instead of the bottom. This choice comes in handy when previewing a template or component (Figure 129b).

Figure 129b. Viewing one of the included page templates in the Library palette with preview enabled and on the right.