Creating a template using fluid grid layout

[Guest]

I know it's not possible to create a template using fluid grid layout in the CS6 version of Dreamweaver that I have, but I'm wondering if it's possible in later versions or on the cloud?

[BenPleysier]

I know it's not possible to create a template using fluid grid layout in the CS6 version of Dreamweaver

It is possible.

Later versions of Dreamweaver no longer give you the option to use FGL because it was never a stable framework, but offer the Bootstrap framework.

If you want to learn more, have a look at Bootstrap 3 Tutorial. If you have further questions about FGL and templates, please come back here with more info on why you cannot get it to work.

Please Note: I have deleted the other post because of the duplication.

[Guest]

Thanks for responding Ben.   You're saying it is possible to create a template with an editable region in fluid grid layout ?   My experience, and the experience of others I have read about in the DW forum,  has been that while the template can be created as a fluid grid layout, the editable region  is not fluid.  If it is possible, I would prefer to do it in Dreamweaver.

[BenPleysier]

In the other discussion, several prominent contributors to this forum, pointed to server-side includes rather than using Dreamweaver's Template system.

In my earlier answer, I pointed to pitfalls in using FGL.

However, if you wish to continue using FGL together with Templates, please give me a link to your site so that I can give you a bespoke example.

[Guest]

Thanks again Ben!

My site is:

http://paulsimpsonlmt.com/home.html

I designed it myself using Dreamweaver CS6 and fireworks, after taking classes at the community college.  I'm not a web designer, and I understand very little about code.  This is why I would prefer to continue using Dreamweaver to adapt my existing website to different devices. You mentioned in your previous answer that a pitfall of using fluid grids in Dreamweaver was that it was unstable. I'm not really sure what you mean by that

[Nancy OShea]

Your site with images turned off.  This is all that  search engines, language translators and screen readers can see.

Tables & image based web sites don't do much for you or your business.  Honestly, I would ditch this and start over.  Bootstrap responsive framework will give you a jump start on your new site and allow you to create a Template if you wish.   The important thing is to use REAL text for content inside semantic HTML tags:  <h1> <h2> <h3> <p> <li> etc....  no tables required.

How to make a website in Dreamweaver part 1, site setup | Adobe Dreamweaver CC tutorials

Bootstrap 3 Tutorial

Nancy

[BenPleysier · Accepted solution]

I was hoping to get an example that already uses FGL so that I could extract the info for a working template. However, the site that you have given me to look at, needs a complete redesign if you want to make it responsive.

For instance, what do you want the layout to look like in a mobile portrait view (narrow) right through to a large computer screen in landscape mode?

FGL is very finely tuned and must adhere to certain criteria. The moment that you make a change to the code (HTML and CSS) that is not to the liking of the framework, the whole page falls into disarray. I was most enthusiastic when Dreamweaver first introduced it but left it soon after realising that to use FGL is a nightmare.

You go on to say that you understand very little code. I hate being the bearer of bad news, but to use Dreamweaver, you must have a working knowledge of HTML and CSS.

If you want to continue using Dreamweaver, you are best off to

• Set up an Apache PHP/MySQL server as per How to set up a testing server in Dreamweaver or use Nancy's link
• Install the latest version of Dreamwaver (it facilitates Bootstrap) and learn Bootstrap as per Nancy's link
• Create a simple template engine to use instead of Dreamweaver's built in system

If that sounds too much for your liking, then have a look at using Muse instead.

Note: I have removed the 'Correct Answer' from my reply (thank you for that), because it does not contain the answer to your problem. I am hopeful that these last two posts (Nancy's and mine) will give you the info that you are looking for.

[Guest]

Thank you Ben and Nancy for your replies.

This is way above my head.  I did create my website in Dreamweaver without using any code.   My understanding was that this was what Dreamweavers purpose was.  I was taught to create with tables, and CSS was used to control fonts and the appearance of text throughout the site. 

Maybe "Muse"  is the way I should go.    Would I still be able to keep my site looking the same way it does now,  with it respondent across devices?... and would the text appear within the proper HTML codes??

[Ussnorway]

Essalon  wrote

Maybe "Muse"  is the way I should go.    Would I still be able to keep my site looking the same way it does now,  with it respondent across devices?... and would the text appear within the proper HTML codes??

Muse can make the site and you can add H1 text codes but I don't recognize the font you used to make the headings... those A look odd to me and they don't match the css style for your site?

I agree that a redesign is the best way forward because other devices won't like all the images i.e, just use text and styles

[Nancy OShea]

Essalon  wrote

I was taught to create with tables,

That's a real shame.  Your course fell way short of what they should have been teaching you.  Table based layouts were the last century approach to web design.  That was before we had CSS.  Nowadays, tables are impractical and counterproductive except when you need to display tabular data i.e. spreadsheets and charts.   It goes without saying you cannot build a responsive, mobile friendly website with tables.   You must use CSS layouts.

In the latest Dreamweaver, go to File > New.  Select one of the Starter Templates and hit the CREATE button.

Immediately save and name your newly created file as index.html.  Now look at the code.  You'll see that it contains no tables and only a few images.  Content is all real text.   This is the modern approach to web design. And some basic coding skills are essential. 

Nancy

[Nancy OShea]

I can't imagine why you would want to use legacy Fluid Grid Layouts anymore.  Adobe abandoned them for a reason.  The feature was removed from DW CC 2017. 

Bootstrap is better.

Nancy