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Dreamweaver and Flash Extensions | |
Notes provided by Loren A. Finkelstein
Jerry B. Day, knowledge solutions engineer for Agilent Technologies in Loveland, Colo., delivered a presentation on extensions available for Dreamweaver and Flash.
Dreamweaver, said Day, has become the premiere Web authoring tool for professional developers. Extensions extend the power and usability of both Dreamweaver and Flash, automating the time-consuming process of writing HTML manually.
"Extensions are software applications, normally written as Javascripts," said Day. " They're the equivalent of Photoshop plug-ins or Macromedia Director xtras. Extensions add features and functionality to Dreamweaver and Flash."
Day said there are three kinds of Dreamweaver extensions:
- Objects, which are HTML code that represents an image or HTML tag
- Behaviors, which are Javascripts
- Commands, which are used to modify pages and streamline production.
The extensions can be downloaded, installed and organized using the Macromedia Extension Manager. Also, they can be obtained directly from Macromedia's extension Web site (visit www.macromedia.com, then link to Macromedia Exchange) and from third-party developers.
"The good news," said Day, "is that most extensions are free!"
Extensions enable additional flash buttons, search engines, table reformatting, forms, and the detection and direction of visitors based on the browsers they use. At last count, there were 354 extensions in Macromedia Exchange, according to Day.
One example, he said, is the Cleanup FrontPage HTML extension, which removes the bad HTML associated with this Microsoft tool. A second example is an extension for writers that automatically inserts trademark and other symbols. A third is the Dreamweaver Coursebuilder and Learning Site extensions that build instructional sites with built-in navigation, tracking features, and teaching tools such as multiple choice and drag-and-drop.
"Another exciting, new product is Deva ToolsTM for Dreamweaver, a suite of integrated utilities that create navigation systems for Web sites, Intranets and HTML-based help," said Day. The marketing literature says these content development features will help improve workflow and integrate nicely with other Macromedia products."
Flash extensions are similar to Dreamweaver extensions, he said. They're installed the same way -- with Extension Manager -- and they can be obtained from the Macromedia Exchange Web page. Flash extensions include smart clips, ActionScripts, learning extensions, button extensions and clip art extensions. Day said a set of promising new Flash extensions for e-learning deliver the following functionality: drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, hot object, multiple-choice and true/false.
For those wishing further information, there are several good resources. Dreamweaver 3: Hot Hands-On Training, by Lynda Weinman, is an excellent book, he said. Day also suggested Computer Arts magazine, which includes a CD-ROM. And there are dozens of easy-to-find Web sites that offer tutorials and other assistance. Some sites have extensions, others don't. The best place to start, he said, is the Macromedia Exchange for Dreamweaver at www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver.
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