DW Page Design

different spacing for pages

[uk_designer]

I was given a page template based aroud my specifications so that I could then edit the page and add the content that i wanted to. The template consisted of a logo, address and navigation bar. I have since used the template to create all of my pages but the spacing has gone out of sync. Now I have a homepage that looks ok and spacing is fine but since putting two other pages onto the server to test them out, the spacing around the navigation bar and logo which was created in the template differs slightly.

How can I try to make them all the same?
I realise that it's much easier to visually see what I mean but can't put up links to the site pages, if you feel that you may be able to help then I'll send the link to you.

[tyler]

this is a total shot in the dark (as i don't understand what you meant).

i've been having a lot of trouble with dw when in that non breaking spaces and <p> tags are being added or deleted by dreamweaver (check the code around the "messed up" design elements). that may not sound like much help but do this little experiment to see what i'm talking about:

create a new page, make a three row table, and look at the code carefully (use the split view)...

type some characters, hit return, repeat a couple of more times until you have three or four lines of short text, look at the code again, ...

(here's the interesting part)

now delete a line of text and see what happens...the text deletes but the cell stays expanded! it's because dw replaces the text with an &nbsp but leaves the <p> tags in. to get the cell to compress as you delete text, you have to delete the whole tag (p's and all).

this quirk (and i still haven't found if there's a way to avoid it) has been wreaking havoc with my layout.

also, and this is obvious, do you have a copy of the original? you could just start from scratch (it's always quicker the second time).

good luck,

ty

[uk_designer]

tyler i tried to send you the url link but was having problems pm/e-mail me your address and I'll show you what's happening.

[martinibuster]

the spacing has gone out of sync.

the spacing around the navigation bar and logo... differs slightly.

What do the above statemtents tell us? Nothing.

Differs slightly? Out of sync?

The problem is that you need to be more specific. Give it another try.

[uk_designer]

ok then well I had a template created for me. I've used this template for all my pages but in some I've created a table but not in my homepage. Now when I click on the links from my homepage to the other pages, the address in the top right moves slightly (to the left I think) which also all the navigation buttons/nav bar moves as well (forgot whether its up or down). If you mail me then I can provide a link if necessary to explain further what I mean?

I have found though that the nav bar doesn't differ as much between the pages that the tables are on.

Off topic I selected the option of e-mail notification but this doesn't seem to have worked so I have to keep checking the topic myself, strange.

[tyler]

ok, the link was sent to me (three times) in sticky mail.

1) you're using milonic menu, right? well, i've never seen it quite like that. i use mm alot and usually i only have 4 lines of code in my html and the rest is called from a .js file (there are 4 of them).

but...i don't think that's the problem.

2) the problem is that your graphic files are different sizes and the table is automatically resizing to fit the graphic. set fixed table widths, use spacer gifs, or make the graphics all the same size and, voila, no more "spacing" problems.

good luck (i can step you through it if you need it)

ty

[uk_designer]

tyler to be honest I haven't got a clue what you mean by milonic menu, the nav bar/pop up menu was created in DWMX behaviours panel so I don't know much about what has been done. In point 2 when you refer to the graphics do you mean my images in the table to the link graphics (policy, shipping etc) and logo. As far as I'm aware I put all the graphics at the same size, at least lengths I did which should be evident? I thought it would be a table issue as this hasn't a fixed size.

In response to the last part of your e-mail, yes I would like assistance if possible and it it doesn't take too long to retify as it doesn't detriment the page that much.

[limbo]

UK_designer

You should have no problem with the templates if you stick to non editable regions for the content and only edit the rest from one template.

There is a few small errors that can be created around the use of templates but if you keep it simple then you should have no problems.

Are you working from DW templates that have been split from their host template? This would effect the layout so they do not correspond.

Ta

Limbo

[uk_designer]

Limbo not exactly sure what you mean by a template that has been split for the host template. I could mail it to you if you like just ignore the personal details (privacy issues) if you could do please.

[tyler]

ok, maybe i was wrong about the milonic menu...no matter.

what i mean by the image sizes, open up the general page (with ie6 or nn or whatever). right click on an image and check the size. it's something like 410x55. in the calfstrap page, the images are 408x58. that little difference creates the 2-3px shift that happens between pages. i don't have time right now to look at the menu layout. but i suspect that something similar is happening there too (i assume you noticed the slight shift in the menus too between homepage and general.

once i complete my deadline (tomorrow sometime) i'll look closer at the layout. maybe by then someone else will help.

[martinibuster]

Anytime you add an additional element, like a table, you run the risk of altering where everything sits on a page. I try to isolate the navigation section within it's own table.

------ Menu Table ------
navigation navigation navigation navigation
------ End Menu Table ------

------ Start Body Table ------

Lorem Ipsum and stuff....More stuff and and

------ End Body Table ------

Check to see if the table you created is isolated from your menu. Also, think about how that new table can affect the menu section- Table width- a larger or smaller table width can have an effect and stretch the size a bit, repositioning your visual elements. That kind of thing.

[uk_designer]

In response to tyler
yes by looking at the homepage and then the general page (the first test product page I put up) is how I noticed what was happening i.e. text/image shift. Although I tried to get the images near enough the same yes I do realsie that each may be slightly different from the other and so take in the point you make about 2-3pixels making a lot of difference for table alignment. Don't feel that you have to take a look at the page(s) if you don't wish to, just that if possible I'd like to make them all the same and so if you decide to goahead then I'd appreciate your efforts.

In response to martinibuster
no the nav bar hasn't got its own table. There is an overall table for the page itself, then a few nested tables, one of which contains the navigation elements and some tables within that one. So yes like tyler has commented, I take in what you say about adjustments that an occur.