Dreamweaver CS6 Essentials for Web Design

Introduction to Dreamweaver CS6 Basics

Dreamweaver CS6 Basics is a comprehensive guide designed to introduce beginners and intermediate users to the fundamentals of building websites using Adobe Dreamweaver CS6. This PDF walks readers through essential web development concepts such as HTML, CSS, page layout, and design principles, all within the Dreamweaver environment. Users gain hands-on knowledge on how to create structured, visually appealing web pages without requiring advanced programming experience.

Readers will develop the skills needed to add text, images, and links, design multi-column layouts, and manage style sheets effectively. The resource emphasizes practical web design techniques that enhance user experience and ensure compatibility across different browsers. It also touches on modern technologies and tools that extend beyond Dreamweaver’s basics, offering pathways for further learning.

Whether you want to design simple personal websites or lay the groundwork for more advanced projects, this PDF provides a clear, approachable learning path to web development fundamentals using industry-standard tools.

Topics Covered in Detail

• Introduction to Dreamweaver: Overview of the interface and workspace views (Design, Code, Split).
• HTML Basics: Understanding HTML as the fundamental language of web pages and its connection with CSS.
• CSS Fundamentals: How to apply CSS styles for text formatting and page layout, including column design.
• Text and Image Handling: Adding, sizing, and formatting images and text for optimal website presentation.
• Page Structure and Layout: Using CSS for positioning page elements and creating responsive columns.
• Working with Links and Navigation: Creating internal and external links with clean code and usability in mind.
• Browser Compatibility Considerations: Ensuring websites perform well on desktop and mobile browsers.
• Managing Multimedia Content: Brief insights into integrating interactive elements and multimedia support.
• Best Practices and Troubleshooting: Tips on correcting HTML errors, organizing code, and saving versions.
• Extending Beyond Basics: A look at advanced tools and modern web standards like HTML5 and CSS3.

Key Concepts Explained

1. HTML as the Backbone of Web Pages HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) is the essential language used to create and structure web pages. It uses tags resembling English words, making it relatively easy to understand for beginners. HTML organizes content such as paragraphs, images, and links. Understanding HTML allows you to see how web pages are built from the ground up.

2. CSS for Styling and Layout CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) controls how elements on a web page look and where they appear. Rather than using tables for layout, CSS offers more flexibility, enabling designers to create columns, headers, and sidebars that adapt nicely to different screen sizes. CSS separates content from design, making the site easier to maintain and update.

3. Dreamweaver’s Multiple Views Dreamweaver provides three main viewing modes: Design View (visual layout without code), Code View (source code editing), and Split View (both simultaneously). These views cater to different levels of familiarity—Design View is beginner-friendly, while Code View suits users who want precise control over their code.

4. Browser Compatibility and Responsive Design Websites need to display well on various browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer, as well as on mobile devices with smaller screens. Dreamweaver helps preview designs in different screen sizes, and careful coding ensures layouts are responsive and user-friendly across platforms.

5. Keeping Code Clean and Organized Editing in Design View can sometimes mess up the code, so learning to tidy and organize HTML and CSS files is crucial. Using indentation, commenting, and saving multiple versions helps prevent errors and makes collaboration with professional programmers easier.

Practical Applications and Use Cases

By mastering the basics outlined in this PDF, web designers and developers can confidently build websites for a variety of purposes. For instance, small businesses or personal portfolios can use Dreamweaver to construct visually appealing, functional pages without hiring a full-time programmer. Content creators might add images, text, and links seamlessly, ensuring smooth navigation and attractive layouts.

The knowledge gained can be applied in creating multi-column sites with headers and footers, designing blogs, event pages, or small e-commerce stores that require structured content and stylized elements. Additionally, designers can leverage responsive design best practices to reach users on both desktop and mobile devices, enhancing site accessibility and usability.

Beyond basic sites, beginners can pave the way toward integrating interactive multimedia or advanced CSS3 features once comfortable with the foundational skills. This makes the PDF useful not only for learning but for planning career development in web design and front-end development.

Glossary of Key Terms

• HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language): The coding language used to structure web pages.
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Stylesheets used to apply design and layout to HTML elements.
• Dreamweaver: A web design software providing visual and code views for building websites.
• Design View: Dreamweaver mode that displays the webpage visually without code.
• Code View: Dreamweaver mode that shows the webpage’s source HTML and CSS code.
• Split View: A mode combining both Design and Code views for simultaneous editing.
• Responsive Design: Web design approach ensuring pages look good on any device or screen size.
• Browser Compatibility: Ensuring a website displays properly on different web browsers.
• Multimedia: Content that uses interactive audio, video, or animations on web pages.
• Linkage: The process of connecting different pages or resources via clickable links.

Who is this PDF For?

This PDF is ideally suited for beginners with little to no prior experience in web development who want to learn how to create functional websites using Dreamweaver CS6. It is beneficial for students, hobbyists, freelancers, and small business owners interested in building or managing their own web presence. Educators can also use it as a teaching tool for foundational web design courses.

Additionally, those with some familiarity with web design will appreciate the clear explanations of CSS layouts, styling, and Dreamweaver’s interface, helping to bridge the gap between basic site creation and more advanced techniques. While professional developers may find some content introductory, the fundamentals remain useful for communicating with programmers or refreshing knowledge.

Overall, anyone eager to understand the core building blocks of webpages, to create visually structured and browser-compatible sites, or to build a base for further learning in HTML5 and CSS3 will find substantial value in this PDF.

How to Use this PDF Effectively

Approach the content by first becoming comfortable with Dreamweaver’s interface by experimenting with its Design, Code, and Split Views. Begin with simple projects—adding text, images, and links—to build confidence. Use the glossary as a quick reference when technical terms arise.

Practice creating different page layouts using CSS, and test your site’s appearance on various browsers and screen sizes. Don’t hesitate to make mistakes; use Dreamweaver’s undo feature and save multiple versions to track progress. Finally, supplement your learning with online resources to explore advanced HTML5 and CSS3 features if desired.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is HTML and why is it important for web design? HTML, or Hyper-Text Markup Language, is the foundational language used to create web pages. It structures the content on a page using tags that are mostly understandable because they resemble English words. HTML is essential because it forms the backbone of all websites, defining elements like text, images, links, and more. CSS works alongside HTML to control the styling and layout of the page, but both are part of the broader language needed for building websites.

What views does Dreamweaver offer for editing a webpage? Dreamweaver provides three main views: Design View, Code View, and Split View. Design View shows a visual representation of the webpage without displaying the code, making it easier for beginners. Code View reveals the actual HTML and CSS code, giving full control to experienced users. Split View displays both simultaneously, allowing you to edit code and see the design changes in real time.

How can I test my web pages for compatibility across different browsers? Testing across multiple browsers like Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer is crucial because each may render a webpage differently. Dreamweaver has a preview feature with a globe icon that lets you view your site in different browsers directly from the application. You can also add browsers to the preview list via File > Preview in Browser > Edit Browser List. This ensures your web pages display correctly for a broader audience.

What should I do if my HTML or CSS layout gets messed up after a lot of editing? After extensive editing, your code may become disorganized, causing layout problems like overlapping links. You can manually fix these issues by carefully repositioning or editing the HTML and CSS code. Using paragraph returns in Code View can make the code easier to read and troubleshoot. Also, employing Dreamweaver’s undo functions and saving multiple copies of your files can help you revert to earlier, working versions.

Is it necessary to know programming to create interactive web pages? While basic web pages can be built with HTML and CSS alone, interactive features like slide-shows or forms often require additional programming knowledge. HTML5 and newer CSS versions offer enhanced functionality, and tools like Tumult Hype and Adobe Edge simplify adding interactive elements. However, complex functions such as e-commerce or database interaction usually need expert programming.

Exercises and Projects

The PDF does not contain explicit exercises or projects but offers foundational tutorials and guidance for building webpages with Dreamweaver. To apply the content practically, consider the following project suggestions:

Project 1: Build a Two-Column Webpage with a Header

• Step 1: Create a new HTML page in Dreamweaver.
• Step 2: Add a header section with a title using heading tags (e.g., H1).
• Step 3: Use CSS to create two columns below the header. One column will hold text content, and the other will hold images or links.
• Step 4: Resize and optimize images in an editing program like Photoshop to fit within the column widths, saving them as JPEG or PNG.
• Step 5: Preview the page in Design and Code Views, test in multiple browsers, and use the 1024x768 simulation to ensure it displays well on standard screens.

Project 2: Create a Webpage with a Sidebar Column

• Step 1: Begin with a single-column layout.
• Step 2: Add a sidebar by inserting a narrow second or third column using CSS layouts.
• Step 3: Populate the sidebar with navigational links or contact information.
• Step 4: Experiment with CSS styling for fonts and colors in an external stylesheet to keep the design consistent.
• Step 5: Validate your HTML and CSS for errors and test responsiveness across different browsers.

Tips for Completing These Projects:

• Use Design View for easy layout creation but switch to Code View for precise control and troubleshooting.
• Regularly save files with clear version names to avoid losing progress due to mistakes.
• Utilize Dreamweaver’s CSS Layout Backgrounds feature to visualize layout blocks and debug positioning issues.
• Look at source codes of other websites for inspiration and learning by viewing their HTML and CSS.
• Test your pages frequently in various browsers to ensure compatibility and consistent appearance.

These projects will help solidify the foundational skills covered, giving you confidence to explore more advanced web design topics.

Updated 12 Oct 2025