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**pinbrook** · 28-Dec-2006, 02:14 PM

Pearhaps I should not try to understand the 'two layer' concept

I would persevere with getting to understand the outer layout first, the layouts are the building blocks, the pagefooter is a detail that may become clearer once you understand the overall concept. Indeed th page footer could be part of the outer layout if it is something you want on every page.

I spent ages working on outer layouts within DW and getting the css editable in an outside app before even looking at inner layouts (sections, products etc).

Very generalistically (sp?) outer layout is the layout which will apply to everypage as mentionedabove will probably consist of header (site logo etc) and navigation. Here is a version of one of my sites in DW body only. See where the navigation and header info is inserted and then see INNERLAYOUT

<body>

<div id="texascontainer1">
<div id="texasmain-title">optimistonline.co.uk</div>
<div id="texashoriz-nav">Horizontal Nav Bar Text Links</div>
<div id="texasmain-text">INNERLAYOUT"</div>
<div id="texasfooter"> // <a href="http://www.pinbrook.net">actinic template from pinbrook.net</a> // </div>
<div id="texasleft-menu">TopLevelSectionList<br>Brochure Page List With Horizontal Dividers</div>
</div>
</body>

live site can be seen at optimistonline.co.uk

**Donald Gray** · 28-Dec-2006, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by Jan

F1 to bring up the help. Select the search tab and enter inner layout as the search term, click on list topics and choose the 4th item down which has the title of Page Layouts.

Magic Jan! Thanks

I will read and try and get the other brain cell to comprehend.

**Donald Gray** · 28-Dec-2006, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by pinbrook

I would persevere with getting to understand the outer layer first,

Thank you so much for the guidance. I am now, I hope pointed to te right track.

I have already used DW to 'look' at some of the actinic files within Actinic directories (Looked but not messed with! Yet!) I fully understand that there is much experimenting and 'trial & error' to be done....

The other points you made have been noted and I look forwards to spending many happy (happy? Huh!) hours getting to grips with it in DW.

Thanks a million for the input.

**Donald Gray** · 28-Dec-2006, 03:40 PM

[QUOTE=RuralWeb]Fair enough - but if the information you require is easily available you will only be pointed in the right direction.
QUOTE]

Malcolm, I feel that I owe you an apology - somewhere down the line, in my mind, I had changed the phrase 'Layout' to 'Layer' and was searching for that! Too much Photoshop work!

My next job is to write 100 lines "I must not confuse layout with layers!"
(Please may I copy & past?!)

**RuralWeb** · 28-Dec-2006, 03:40 PM

have already used DW to 'look' at some of the actinic files within Actinic directories

This is not the way to go - you need to create the outer layout (design) in DW you then insert actinic content using the DW extension and finally register the design with V8. This will then allow you to edit the inner layout from within actinic and the outer layout from DW.

**Donald Gray** · 28-Dec-2006, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by RuralWeb

Fair enough - but if the information you require is easily available you will only be pointed in the right direction.

If you do a search on the forum there are several threads eg http://community.actinic.com/showthr...t=outer+layout

Malcolm, I owe you an apology.

Somewhere down the line, in my mind, i had replaced the word 'layout' with 'layers' - I was using the word layer in my search term - too much time in Photoshop!

**RuralWeb** · 28-Dec-2006, 03:59 PM

Malcolm, I owe you an apology

No problem

**Donald Gray** · 28-Dec-2006, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by RuralWeb

This is not the way to go - you need to create the outer layout (design) in DW you then insert actinic content using the DW extension and finally register the design with V8. This will then allow you to edit the inner layout from within actinic and the outer layout from DW.

Your points are noted Malcolm. Thanks.
I only looked at them through DW so that I could open certain files to see what was in them in an attempt to understand how the thing ticks. Especially the .css

The layout design I have chosen is more or less (more more than less!) based on the Executive theme with some colour changes. Although I am happier in the world of DW, it is my intention to do the design within the Actinic shell until I have a far deeper understanding of the way Actinic Works.

I believe I have a reasonable understanding of the concept of variables, compiled pages et all...It is the actual way it is put together... The DOs and the DO NOTs that I have yet to learn.

**RuralWeb** · 28-Dec-2006, 04:29 PM

The DOs and the DO NOTs that I have yet to learn.

V8 is still very new and has a few bugs still in it so we are all still learning - which is why posters with obvious questions will generally be pointed to information rather than us typing it all out again. If there is a subject which is new then you will generally get a more in depth answer or help.

**Donald Gray** · 28-Dec-2006, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by RuralWeb

V8 is still very new and has a few bugs still in it

I have already found one bug - When I get time I will do a report - the page title gets stuck on the editing window when changing to another page and give the impression that you are working on the code of the first page, not the page that you have, in reality, loaded...

Ain't learning fun!

**completerookie** · 28-Dec-2006, 06:03 PM

You are about to go through a fairly steep lerning curve, one of the forum members signs off bay saying "i've got my crampons on . . ."

there is ONE BIG tip I can offer as you are staring at the small incline in front of you.

Take PLENTY of snapshots - you can't take enough of them especially when experimenting - these are your lifelines

other than that, good luck, stay off the coffee and try to sleep EVERY night !

**turbonostics** · 29-Dec-2006, 09:26 PM

Thank you

Hello People,

Thank you so much for your help. My client is reviewing the need for Actinic at the moment, so in the future will be certainly much more easier than learning create databases.

Happy New Year everyone

James,

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