Customize Dreamweaver to Your Needs

Key Dreamweaver Preferences

For the typical Dreamweaver novice, the large list of software tweaks can be quite daunting. Most can be completely ignored, however, as only a select few impact your work environment. I'll highlight the major preferences you should customize. First, let's get into the preference panel by selecting:

Edit > Preferences...

Category Important Tweaks

Here's a list of the most essential changes you should approve.

• General - Document Options: Open Files in New Window; Editing Options: Use <strong> and <em> in place of <b> and <i>
• Accessibility - None
• Code Coloring - None
• Code Format - Indent; Tab Size; Automatic Wrapping; Default Tag Case; Default Attribute Case; Override Case Of; Centering
• Code Hints - Delay
• Code Rewriting - Rewrite Code: Rename Form Items When Pasting
• CSS Styles - None
• File Types/Editors - None
• Fonts - Code View
• Highlighting - None
• Invisible Elements - Show; Server-Side Includes
• Layers - Netscape 4 Compatibility
• Layout View - None
• New Document - Default Document Type; Make Document XHTML Compliant
• Panels - None
• Preview in Browser - Browsers
• Quick Tag Editor - Options
• Site - All
• Status Bar - Connection Speed (56k preferably)
• Validator - All

Edit Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a developer's best friend. Once you get used to them, work becomes a whole lot easier. However, what if you switched to Dreamweaver from a program that used different shortcuts? Or if you just really hate the ones Macromedia has provided? Not to worry!

Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts...

This is the master control panel for your Dreamweaver keyboard shortcuts. A 'set' is simply a database of shortcuts that can be activated or deactivated.

For example, let's pretend we're pulling a practical joke on our friend Joe. Our buddy always uses the Ctrl+N and Ctrl+O shortcuts to create and open documents. Yes, we're evil. Let's switch them.

Make sure Macromedia Standard is selected as the active set, and click on the first icon to duplicate the database. Rename the set to 'Our Evil Scheme'. Under the Menu Commands section, maximize the File category and find 'New...'. Delete the old shortcut by highlighting it and hitting the minus action. Place your pointer in the text field and press Ctrl+O on your keyboard (don't type it literally -- carry out the action). Then select Change.

Now we have a duplicate Ctrl+O entry, but Dreamweaver will only use the first entry that occurs in the database. So go back and replace the 'Open...' action with Ctrl+N as we did before. Hit OK.

Well, our prank was a success... sort of. Joe has until tomorrow to fix the software or he will be fired by his boss! Open the Keyboard Shortcut editor. Select Macromedia Standard as your set and hit OK. Open it back up and hit the trash can. Confirm the deletion of Our Evil Scheme so there's no evidence. Hit OK and exit. That's it!

Let's not abuse this feature, eh?

Utilizing Macromedia Extensions

If you don't already have the Extension software installed, you can download it here.

The Extension Manager is Macromedia's most useful tool for customizing the way Dreamweaver reads, writes, and expedites. Widespread popularity and the product's targeted audience have produced an exceptional database of add-on modules that work with this software.

To locate a plugin that's suitable for you, visit http://www.macromedia.com/exchange/. Here you'll find the list of extendable Macromedia products, as well as the link for the Exchange Manager. Point your browser to the Dreamweaver (MX) section, and get a Macromedia ID. Once you've signed up, you'll have access to a myriad of downloads.

Log in, and use the 'browse extensions...' dropdown to locate an appropriate plugin and platform. Save the desired file into:

../Macromedia/Extension Manager/Downloads/

Once the transfer is complete, open Macromedia Extension Manager.

Select:

File > Install Extension...

Then simply follow the on-screen directions, and finally restart Dreamweaver. Instructions concerning the module's use and location are available in the manager's extension list.

Important References

The following is a list of official Macromedia Dreamweaver MX documents and references that will aid the customization process. Some of these files have been used in the creation of this tutorial and may be further utilized to enhance your Dreamweaver experience.

Don't forget to back up important files!

MM DW Exchange
Databased Downloads - Help > Dreamweaver Exchange
http://dynamic.macromedia.com/bin/MM/exchange/main.jsp?product=dreamweaver

MM DW Support Center
Information Database Help > Dreamweaver Support Center
http://www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver/

Extending DW MX
Local Information Database Help > Extending Dreamweaver

MM Support: Online Forums
Online Message Boards Help > Macromedia Online Forums
http://www.macromedia.com/support/forums

Customizing MM DW MX
Compressed Adobe PDF File
http://www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver/custom/customizing_dwmx/

MM DW MX Shortcut Matrix
Compressed Adobe PDF File
http://www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver/documentation/dwmx_shortcuts/

MM DW Updates
File Downloads
http://www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver/downloads_updaters.html

Thumbnail Generator and Optimizer

The thumbnail generator/optimizer is a little-known capability of the software. Though it's not hidden in any way, I know barely a single person who's taken advantage of this convenient tool. Go to:

Commands > Create Web Photo Album...

Here you'll find a quick, easy, and painless way to process images on the go. Select a source and destination folder, tweak the other optional settings, and let Dreamweaver do the rest. I usually throw out the automatically generated HTML page, though you may find it useful.

With these tips you should have success in changing the way your Dreamweaver software assists you in your Web development. Good luck!