Help with FrontPage 2003 Dynamic Web Templates (DWT)

This section of our web templates site provides links to tutorials that will make your webmastering with DWTs job a breeze, as well as a list of Q&A's covering the most often asked questions.  If you don't know how to use a FrontPage DWT, you will after going through the tutorials here!

FrontPage 2003 DWT Tutorials

For your convenience, we've listed our tutorials in the order you would need the information when working with FrontPage 2003 DWTs for the first time.

• Preparing an existing web to use DWTs
• Getting the DWT into Your Web
• Attaching a DWT to a Web in FP2003
• Assigning Region Names

 FrontPage 2003 DWT Quick Q&A's

• What is included in the DWT package?
• What if I WANT content pages?
• What do I do with the downloaded file?
• How do I open the template?
• Can I add more pages?
• How do I change button names?
• Can I easily change the colors on the sides/tops/etc.?
• Can I put my own images in the text area of the page?
• How do I change to a language other than English?
• Are the FrontPage DWTs compatible with...?
• Why don't my revised Swish files show up in the template?
• General FrontPage Q&A's from our Mailbag...

 

 

What is included in the DWT package?

The DWT technology eliminates the need for pre-made HTML pages, as the Dynamic Web Templates simply "attach" to your own HTML pages, giving them all the design attributes.  For this reason, it is unnecessary for us to bog you down with countless content pages you have to rewrite or delete, so we are skipping that step!  The DWT package contains:  a DWT for each design layout provided (see "Features" of each design), all graphical files needed to use the design, all flash files (if any) needed for the design, and a thorough ReadMe.html file with complete instructions.

 

What if I WANT content pages?

No problem.  We've made a complete content DWT Web Package for you to start with, and it is available FREE of charge.  (It's also an excellent way for you to play around with DWTs prior to making a purchase decision!)  You simply follow the instructions on the Introduction Page of the linked template in this section to install your web package - THEN, you may attach any DWTIG Compliant DWT to replace the design in use.

 

Getting Started - What do I do with the downloaded file?

Our Dynamic Web Templates (DWTs) are packaged in an .exe file, which will unzip the DWT files to a new directory on your drive:  c:\Program Files\ TWC Graphics Design\<DWT Folder Name>.  You will simply download the .exe after licensing a DWT to any location on your hard drive; double-click to begin the unzip, and accept the defaults.

 

How do I open the template?

You don't.  You "ATTACH" the Dynamic Web Template to an existing web, or you start with a new one-page web and attach it to the new web pages.  To place the files in the appropriate location to attach the DWTs, open the web you wish to attach in FrontPage 2003. Open the Folder List (View, Folder List) if it is not already open and ensure that the top level directory is selected (left click over it to highlight it). From the FrontPage menu, select File, Import - then click "Add Folder." Navigate on your hard drive to c:\Program Files\TWC Graphics Design\ - then select the folder for the design. Once imported to your web, you will be able to attach the DWT.

 

Can I add more pages?

Certainly!  Open a new page in FrontPage 2003 (click the "blank page" icon to Create a New Normal Page in the upper left toolbar).  Select Format, Dynamic Web Templates, Attach Dynamic Web Template...  Locate the DWT you wish to attach in the pop-up window, and select Open.

 

How do I change the button names?

With the new web open in FrontPage, go to View, Navigation.  See that "organizational-chart-looking" diagram of the files?  That's where you will change button/banner names.  Simply right click over the box with the name you want to change, select "Rename", and type in what you want to appear on the buttons & banners.

 

 

Can I easily change the colors on the sides/tops/etc.?

Please preview the DWT design in question, and read up on that.  In general, if you can easily change the colors, then it will be stated in the Features listed with design in the catalog.  Many of our designs are graphical, and the colors can NOT be changed unless you are very adept with a graphics program.

 

 

Can I put my own images in the text area of the page?

Sure - you can do virtually anything with our DWTs you can do with any web.  The only thing to make note of is the image will need to be sized appropriately so that your page doesn't "run off to the right" in lower resolutions!

 

 

How do I change to a language other than English?

From one of our customers:  "I'm using XP. To name the banners in Chinese, I go to CONTROL PANEL => REGIONAL AND LANGUAGE OPTIONS => LANGUAGE => ADVANCED => select Chinese from the dropdown menu for "select a language to match the language version of the non-Unicode programs you want to use". Voila! I did it."

 

 

Are the FrontPage 2003 DWTs compatible with...?

Our DWTs are DWTIG Compliant, and may be used with any platform supporting DWTs according to instructions provided either by the DWTIG or by us.  FrontPage DWTs may NOT be used with any prior version of FrontPage.  The FrontPage DWTs MAY be used with Dreamweaver; however, we have not yet compiled the instructions.

 

Why don't my revised Swish files show up in the template?
 

Ahhhhh...  Sounds like you've skipped the most important step!  The .swi file you opened and revised is a raw file useable in Swish ONLY.  It has nothing to do with what shows up on the internet. Likewise, with Flash files, there is a raw .fla file that is useable in Flash only, and IT has nothing to do with what shows up on the internet.  The format of the movie that appears online is .swf. In order to make your Swish file show up in the template and online, after saving the .swi, select File, Export SWF - then export the file with the same name as the .swi to the root directory of your web, overwriting ours.  That's all there is to it!