page size in photoshop?

[tarka]

if i create a page in photoshop, what standard page size should i use (in pixels?) sorry for the rookie question.

Thanks

[Aronya1]

How about some more information? What kind of page are we talking about? If it's a web page - don't make it with Photoshop.

[tarka]

yeah, its a web page. last night i figured it out and formatted the page to a standard size of 600 w x 400 h pixels. i'm using photoshop 6/image ready. as far as i understand this is a good way to create a page then slice and import it into dreamweaver mx. would you suggest that i do it differently??

[havik]

Well, that's one way of doing it. But I'd like to see your design first before I make a decisions. There could be many elements of this image/web page that don't need to be created in programs like photoshop. For instance, borders can be created using html and css, no need to draw one up.

I'd create my web page first, then add whatever graphics I needed.

[Aronya1]

I agree with havik. What do you do a few weeks down the road when you want to change something? Start over? What about altering the color scheme? Adding links? Removing something that didn't work out? Seems like you'd have to reinvent the wheel every time.

[tarka]

I see your point. Dreamweaver is the program that i'm getting stuck into so do think i should stick with it to begin my page? Bear in mind this is the first site i'm creating and so far know nothing about html language. I'm reading up tho.

Cheers guys!

[havik]

For HTML, CSS, and javascript alone, I'd rather hardcode it on a word processor like notepad or textpad. If I was dealing with more "advanced" web programming languages I'd use a specific program for it.

I'm sure you have this link but in case you don't:
http://www.w3schools.com/

havik

[Aronya1]

I think anybody with experience would agree that Dreamweaver is possibly the best WYSIWYG editor available, but it's best used by somebody who already knows their HTML, etc.

The good news is that you CAN use it in Code View and hand-code your pages the same as you would with Notepad, etc. Then, with a single click, you can view the results. The trick is to stay disciplined enough to use it that way. When you're starting out, the temptation to just use the point 'n' click capabilities is going to be mighty hard to resist. If you can stay strong (there may be a 12-step program to help with this) and code your pages by hand, you'll be very happy you did so somewhere down the road.

[tigrrboxer]

Remembering my utter confusion at the term "WYSIWYG", and bearing in mind that you're a novice, here2s a translation: "What You See ýs What You Get", i.e. it's all very user-friendly. NotePad is very user-UNfriendly, recommended for HTML/ CSS/ whatever code genius types (like Havik, I guess), which I'm very definitely not. Dreamweaver is great for plonking images and animations into your layout and tugging and tweaking around till you're happy. The downside is that it's so cute and cuddly that you're not even aware of half the stuff you're creating. Like Aronya1 says, you CAN view the HTML you're creating - so do. Click on HTML View (or that stroke of genius, the mode which shows both HTML and layout), and watch the confusing strings of code that spew out as you add nifty menus and tables and stuff. Work out which tag relates to which object. Spend all your time on this forum and ask embarrassing questions like "What the hell is href?" Then try doctoring the HTML and watch the changes in layout. Then get obsessed with getting to grips with the basic building blocks of web design and start seeing everyone in terms like "skincolor= #FFCC99". You'll check out the source of every web page that catches your fancy (Edit > Source in IE). You'll learn HTML language and CSS and JavaScript and general nerd-speak. Suddenly, something wonderful will happen - one day you'll wake up and find YOU ARE A NERD AND PROUD OF IT!! From that day on you'll be brainy, brilliant, creative, funny, helpful, and damn irritating. And one day... one distant day... you'll be assigned a web page by a client, and the first programme you open is NotePad, not Photoshop or Solitaire.... Probably. This is guess-work; I still click on Kazaa to chill out. Anyway. As for Photoshop - it's God, King, and similar sexist superlatives, but a serious graphic trap for aspiring Webbers. You can create such gorgeous, fantastic, dazzling graphics that you'll feel it's a crime not to use them. Photoshop users tend to divide into 2 general categories - Webbers and Non-webbers. The latter are often graphic designers or art directors who have hitherto learned that the higher the resolution and file-size, the happier the client is and the better the quality of the finished ad/ image/ brochure/ whatever. They've dedicated their lives to artistic expression. Keyword: ART. The former start off as web engineers, programmers, assorted child geniuses, scientists, businessmen and casual coders. They design web pages that work, that fulfil a function; for them, Photoshop is merely a handy tool for reducing image sizes and adding cool effects to rollovers. Function always takes precedence over design, although they generally design pretty cool sites. Keyword: FUNCTION. These guys scare the hell out of me, by the way. There are a lot of them on this forum. The happy medium, the utopia of web design, is a functional, lucid, fast, pretty, pleasing, dynamic, addictive, cool page, that neither panders to the designer's ego, irritates the visitor, or malfunctions. To summarize, if you're the arty type, get nerdy to balance it out. If you're the nerdy genius type, get aesthetic. And if anyone's read this far: CONGRATULATIONS, you've earned a free keyring saying "I'm a model of patience." Now I need a glass of water. You're free to escape...

[Aronya1]

Originally posted by tigrrboxer
Remembering my utter confusion at the term "WYSIWYG", and bearing in mind that you're a novice, here2s a translation: "What You See ýs What You Get", i.e. it's all very user-friendly.
Thank you for defining that, tigrrboxer. It's all too common for people who work in a field to slip into the lingo when trying to explain something to someone "from the outside."


Then get obsessed with getting to grips with the basic building blocks of web design and start seeing everyone in terms like "skincolor= #FFCC99".
LOL... Very good!

One suggestion: DECAF!

[tigrrboxer]

Um, actually all caffeine is banned by my doctor.
But as he phrased it as "coffee", I cheated by switching to Coca-Cola. The day I finally shut up will be the day caffeinated cola finally eradicates all cardiac activity....

I remember doing a google search on WYSIWYG after I ran across it in Computer Arts mag. Actually, I recommend you check out their website: www.computerarts.co.uk

[Paul Jr]

Originally posted by tigrrboxer
...And if anyone's read this far: CONGRATULATIONS, you've earned a free keyring saying "I'm a model of patience." Now I need a glass of water. You're free to escape...

Not before I get my keyring!!!

[tigrrboxer]

I'd give an address if I wasn't on the brink of fleeing the country!

[zaefod]

TIP: if you're going to use photoshop/image ready to slice your image that's fine. But do yourselft a favor and throw away the html document that imageready creates and build your table by hand or with Dreamweaver's table tool. Then place your sliced images. Imageready will build you some terribly complex table that will have you pulling your hair out when you try to change it. Using nested tables will help your images stay together and add years to your life.