Special Image Techniques with Dreamweaver CS3

Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 allows users to create web pages easily, using intuitive menus and buttons rather than learning cryptic HTML coding. Dreamweaver courses can help new users become comfortable more quickly, and can teach even advanced users a few new tricks. Here are some examples of the advanced techniques a student can pick up one of these courses.

Use the Alt field to reach all viewers
One problem with images is that not everyone can see them. Some visitors may be vision impaired and "viewing" your page on software that reads the text to them. Others might have images turned off so they can browse the web faster. If you put important information in your images, those visitors may be frustrated and leave, leading to lost business. Alt fields are also important places to insert keywords to enhance your search engine ranking.

When Dreamweaver courses teach you how to insert images into your web pages, they will discuss the Alt field on the property inspector. This is a line of text that will be displayed in browsers that have images turned off, or will be read to vision impaired visitors. By making your web site accessible to all users, you are able to serve a larger customer base and take a step toward improving your search engine ranking.

Use image maps for easy site navigation
Basic Dreamweaver courses demonstrate how easy it is to add images to your web site. At its simplest, an image is simply a decoration on the page. It is easy to turn the entire image into a link to allow the user to click on a thumbnail to see the full size image. Heat map studies have shown that users are more likely to click on images than on hyperlinked text.

A more sophisticated use of an image taught in Dreamweaver courses is to allow the user to click on different parts of the image to go to different destinations. For example, a travel agent could use a map of Europe to allow users to easily select their destination country and list hotels and other amenities in that region.

Give a page some flair with a background image
Most images on web pages are foreground images that the text flows around. Dreamweaver courses teach students how to add a background image that will display behind the text. A simple texture can give a page the appearance of parchment or vellum. A landscaping company might want a background of lush vegetation. Another company might want copy of the company logo behind the text on every page like a watermark.

A background image can add sophistication to a page and can even transmit subtle messages to the visitor. However, care must be used that such images don't interfere with the text. The colours should be muted and low-contrast and the final product should be viewed at a variety of resolutions to be sure the desired effect is maintained.