Macromedia Dreamweaver 4

By Nathan Segal.

For those who lack the ability to hand code complex HTML documents, the new Layout View lets you draw tables and cells directly onto the page. To access this feature, Dreamweaver has to be in Layout View (which can be accessed by clicking on the bottom right icon in the Objects Inspector). Another useful feature is Autostretch. This automatically resize the width which causes your layouts to fill the browser window, regardless of what size the viewer has set.

A new feature is the addition of Flash Buttons that allow you to make buttons using a variety of templates. In addition, you can add links to the buttons, such as sound or animation. You can also download more designs from the web. To make a Flash button, click on Insert Flash Button in the Objects palette, choose any one of dozens of templates, type in the text to appear on the button and an address that will be linked to the button.

The Flash Button dialog box.

Another option is to make use of the Flash Text tool, which allows you to create text elements using fonts other than the standard ones available, such as Arial, Helvetica, Times, Geneva, and Verdana. These Flash objects are small graphic SWF (Shockwave) movie that contains text only. Flash text allows you to design a small, vector-graphic movie with designer fonts and the text of your choice. Also, since Flash text uses vector imagery, the quality is good.

Here is an example of Flash text using Lucinda Sans with a point size of 30.

There are, however, some limitations. Flash text is annoying to work with for large paragraphs, letting you use only 1024 characters at a time, and only True Type fonts are supported. Also, you have to enter line breaks manually where needed in your document. In addition, this feature needs a plug-in to work, so if the user who views your web page doesn't have this, you run the risk of losing part of your audience.

Tight integration between Dreamweaver and Fireworks is maintained and improved from the previous version. Other features are code preservation between Dreamweaver and Fireworks, keyboard shortcuts have been standardized in all new products and are customizable. Improved Design notes let team members leave file notes and track changes with other members of your team. Site Reports is a new feature that scans your whole site and lists problems with files, such as missing tags and untitled documents.

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