Templates and Dreamweaver + Navigation Bar Width

[Jack Blue]

Hi. Two basic questions from a beginner. So far, everytime I've hit an obstacle this forum has pretty much got me over it and often I've learnt other tips and tricks as I plough through the postings. Today I'm more annoyed with myself for not being able to solve what appears to be two very straightforward problems...
1) I've found using the Dreamweaver extension great for fiddling around with images within templates but if I want to amend the template layout then taking the address from the browser and pasting it into Dreamweaver has me working in Preview.html which won't carry through to the site. Am I able to play with a 'production' template, complete with images in Dreamweaver (i.e. WYSIWYG) and then save it? If not, what is the best way to change the layout of any page as I add fragments and can I use Dreamweaver for the task?
2) I've set the banner logo to 750px. How do I set the navigation bar width to match and furthermore how do I then remove the spacer between the coprorate banner and the navigation bar?
Thanks. I've trawled through many, many posts and if I've seen an answer to these questions then I've been bamboozled and not recognised them as such so hopefully this post will be useful to others.

One last thing. Create my own e-commerce site using Actinic is going to be a long haul for me. I've never used HTML but I'm comfortable with Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash etc. If there's anyone out there in a similar position who wants to 'buddy up' to bounce questions and ideas off each other without distracting the wider Actinic Community then give me a shout.

Many thanks everyone.

[Univiz]

Regarding Question 1:

You need to un-compact the html before opening the page in DW.
Go to Design | Options | Miscellaneous and uncheck where it says 'Compact HTML/CGI'.

Then, when viewing the page in DW, you will see little yellow icons which indicate the start and end of the relevant templates making up the page. Click on the icons and the property inspector will indicate which template it is and gives the option to open it for editing.

Make a backup of the templates before editing - just in case!

HTH
Regards
Sharon

[Jack Blue]

Thanks

Hi, Thanks Sharon. A lone voice out of the darkness. The copy tip is a good one. I was already using the yellow boxes but I've worked out a lot more tonight on html and how the templates function - enough anyway to completely destroy my navigation bar! This is going to be a long slog! Anyway just to say I really appreciated your help.

[pinbrook]

if you use the Template Manager within Actinic - this will help you to locate the pages you need to be editting.

Then edit these pages in DW.

Don't forget to edit the files starting with ACT_ otherwise your changes will be overwritten.

Have you downloaded the Advanced User Guide and Deveopers Guide from the Actinic website?

[Jack Blue]

Thanks again

Hi Jo,

Thanks for the advice. Yes I think I've done everything as you say. What I've learnt from this whole episode is to back up every night!! Unpicking isn't so easy!!

Hey you live and learn. I really appreciate the responses. I realise you're busy people. Hopefully one day I'll be able to help others (by Actinic v27 I'll have cracked it).