3 Replies Latest reply: May 15, 2008 9:50 AM by dfgsdrsdr RSS

    dreamweaver: can i insert a background image in a layout table?

    dfgsdrsdr Community Member
      i'm using a layout table and i can't figure out how to put a non-repeating image into the background of my layout table. is this possible? i need to center it too.
        • 1. Re: dreamweaver: can i insert a background image in a layout table?
          Newsgroup_User Community Member
          > i'm using a layout table and i can't figure out how to put a non-repeating
          > image into the background of my layout table. is this possible? i need to
          > center it too.

          Yes. Using CSS
          #mytable {
          background-image: images/mybackground.jpg;
          background-repeat: no-repeat;
          background-color: #choose color;
          color: #choose font color; }


          • 2. Re: dreamweaver: can i insert a background image in a layout table?
            Newsgroup_User Community Member
            Before anything else, I would say DON'T USE LAYOUT MODE.

            In my opinion, there are three serious problems with Layout Mode -

            1. Perhaps most importantly, it sits between you and *real* HTML tables,
            and fools you into believing that concepts like "layout cell" and
            "autostretch" really mean something. They do not. As long as you use
            Layout Mode, you'll never learn one of the most important things for new web
            developers - how to build solid and reliable tables.

            2. Actually, #1 wouldn't be *so* bad, except that the code that is written
            by Layout Mode is really poor code. For example, a layout table contains
            MANY empty rows of cells. This can contribute to a table's instability.
            In addition, if your initial positioning of the table's cells is a bit
            complex,
            Layout Mode will throw in col- and rowspans aplenty as it merges and splits
            cells willy-nillly to achieve the pixel-perfect layout you have specified.
            Again,
            this is an extremely poor method for building stable tables, because it
            allows
            changes in one tiny cell's shape (i.e, dimensions) to ripple through the
            rest
            of the table, usually with unexpected and sometimes disastrous consequences.
            This is one of the primary reasons for the final result's fragility - read
            this -

            http://apptools.com/rants/spans.php

            3. The UI for Layout Mode is beyond confusing - many options that you might
            want to use are inaccessible, e.g., inserting another table, or layer onto
            the page.

            I can understand the new user's desire to use this tool to make their life
            easier,
            but the cost is just too heavy in my opinion.

            To make good tables, keep it simple. Put a table on the page, and begin to
            load your content. If you would want a different table layout, instead of
            merging or splitting cells, consider stacking tables or nesting simple
            tables instead, respectively.

            And above all, do not try to build the whole page with a single table!

            Luckily, Adobe understands the problems created for the unsuspecting user
            who falls into this trap, and has elected to remove this feature altogether
            from the next version of DW. The time is right for you to begin working
            with tables properly!

            To read more about this approach, visit the DW FAQ link in my sig, and run
            through the table tutorials.

            Adobe agrees with this analysis - Layout mode is being removed from the next
            version of DW.

            --
            Murray --- ICQ 71997575
            Adobe Community Expert
            (If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
            ==================
            http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
            http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
            ==================


            "dfgsdrsdr" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
            news:g0fu3i$ep3$1@forums.macromedia.com...
            > i'm using a layout table and i can't figure out how to put a non-repeating
            > image into the background of my layout table. is this possible? i need to
            > center it too.

            • 3. Re: dreamweaver: can i insert a background image in a layout table?
              dfgsdrsdr Community Member
              thanks for the answer, i've never done forum thing before! where do i place the code you gave me?
              i appreciate your help!
              katie