Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Tutorial

Overview

This concise, example-driven tutorial teaches practical workflows for planning, building, testing, and publishing websites with Adobe Dreamweaver CS6. Emphasizing task-based instruction over abstract theory, the overview highlights dependable techniques for site setup, disciplined file organization, layout and design choices, multimedia handling, link management, and reliable FTP publishing. Clear step sequences and preventative tips focus on real-world production needs—so you can move confidently from a local project to a live site.

What you’ll learn

Practical site setup and file discipline

Learn how to define a stable local root, configure remote connections, and adopt naming and folder conventions that prevent broken links. The tutorial demonstrates synchronization routines and site definitions that keep assets organized and consistent across development and production.

Layout and visual design fundamentals

Use Dreamweaver CS6’s layout tools to combine text, images, and navigation for consistent cross-browser rendering. The guide explains when to rely on CSS-based layouts, when table-based layouts remain useful, and how to control page properties (backgrounds, fonts, margins) for predictable presentation.

Media insertion and optimization

Insert images, slideshows, and video while balancing visual quality and page performance. Coverage includes placing media into the site folder structure, optimizing assets for faster load times, and implementing simple interactive behaviors like rollovers with graceful degradation for older browsers.

Linking, navigation, and accessibility

Create and maintain internal, external, and email links with attention to relative vs. absolute paths, link targets, and semantic structure. The tutorial highlights navigation practices that improve usability and maintainability, and that simplify updates and site handoffs.

Previewing, testing, and publishing workflows

Validate designs using Dreamweaver’s preview tools and basic cross-browser checks, then publish reliably via FTP. Stepwise guidance for connecting and uploading site folders using the Files panel helps prevent missing assets and broken references after deployment.

Who this helps

• Newcomers: Hands-on steps introduce core web concepts and Dreamweaver workflows without requiring prior code experience.
• Intermediate users: Practical routines for organizing projects, integrating media, and refining layouts to speed up everyday tasks.
• Maintainers of legacy sites: Focused reference material for updating and publishing sites built with Dreamweaver CS6.

How you can apply it

The techniques map directly to building personal portfolios, small-business websites, media galleries, and multi-page prototypes. Emphasis on asset optimization, link integrity, and predictable navigation supports collaborative workflows and easier site maintenance.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Incorrect site configuration: Define local and remote settings before creating pages to avoid path errors.
• Uploading incomplete folders: Always publish full directories so images, styles, and scripts aren’t left behind.
• Problematic filenames: Use lowercase and hyphens or underscores (no spaces or special characters) to ensure cross-server compatibility.

Practice activities

• Create a homepage in a defined local root, preview it in multiple browsers, and resolve rendering differences.
• Build a multi-page navigation system, add internal and external links, then move files to test link resilience and update references.
• Assemble a small-business site with a navigation bar, optimized images, and an embedded slideshow or video, then publish via FTP and verify all assets load.

Expert tips

• Back up your local site folder before major changes—store copies in the cloud or on external media.
• Keep a predictable folder structure (for example, a single images directory) to simplify linking and asset management.
• Preview pages in several browsers early and often to catch compatibility and layout issues before publishing.

Next steps

If you want targeted, hands-on practice with Dreamweaver CS6 workflows—site setup, media handling, link management, and FTP publishing—this tutorial offers clear exercises and pragmatic guidance to build transferable web production skills.