Properties Window

The properties window is one of the main panels when we are creating a web page in Dreamweaver.  In the properties window you can edit the most common properties for the currently selected page element, such as text or an inserted object.

The contents of the Properties window depend on the selected element in the page.

For example, when text is selected in the page, the Properties window contains “Font”, “Bold” “Italics” etc. options. And when we select an image, properties window will then display options such as “width”, “Height”, “Border” and so on.

Click the downward-pointing triangle in the lower right corner for the properties to unfold completely, so that you can view all options for the selected object and modify if necessary.

Most of the options in the properties window are only available in this window and not anywhere else under any other pop-up menu, so it is wise to keep this window open when you’re working in a page.

If the Properties window is not visible, click the “Window” button in the menu bar and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

 

Panels and panel groups

In Dreamweaver, we have several panels that we use to design our site, these panels are in turn divided into panel groups.

To select a panel, click on the name of the panel. When a panel is selected it appears as a tab.

By clicking the right pointing black arrow next to the panel group title, you can expand it. Clicking again on that same panel group black arrow will collapse.

We rarely or never use these panel groups, so you’d better close this.

To close a panel group, and I mean close, not collapse, click on the “Options” button in the title bar of the panel group and select “Close Panel Group” in the drop-down menu.

To open it again, click the “Window” in the menu bar and choose the panel group from the drop-down menu that you want to open back.

By placing the mouse pointer between two panel groups, we can adjust length of the panel group. Click and drag the mouse pointer above or below, when it changes into a two-arrow.

By clicking and dragging with the dots on the left of the title bar of the panel group, we can move the panel group.

If you made a mess, you can always get back to the default settings of these panels by clicking on the “Window” in the menu bar, choosing “Workspace Layout” in the drop-down menu and clicking on “Designer” from the submenu. This brings all the panels neatly back in place.

If you want to move only one panel from a panel group, click and drag the tab of this group to where you want it.

If you then want to place this panel back in its panel group, drag it back into the group.

More about panels and their functions in a later lesson when we use it.

 

Save Workspace

I can imagine that when all your panels are a position which you have brought by hard work, you do not want to do this every time you open the Dreamweaver.

Well, you do not have to do.

We have the possibility of saving panels and panel groups as a setting.

Click on the “Window” button in the menu bar.

Choose “Workspace Layout” and click “Save Current”

In the dialog that appears, you give the workspace Layout a name and click the OK button.

If anyone has created a layout other than the standard layouts in Dreamweaver, you only have to click on the “Window” button in the menu bar and choose the “Workspace Layout” option and click on your workspace layout that is added to the list.

You can add as many layouts as you want.

If you want to delete a layout, click the “Window” in the menu bar.

Choose your “Workspace Layout” and click “Manage”.

In the dialog that appears, select the layout and click the “Delete” button.

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