Dynamic Layers

I could do with some help . . .

[Newmeco]

I've got a template done by someone else which is a basic table based page, center aligned. All I've got to do is put my content in the middle cell of the table.
Problem is that my content needs to use overlapping layers (not my design so I can't change that). How can I position the layers so that they move with the rest of the center aligned webpage? I could nest the layers in the table but that won't work in netscape . . .

[tedster]

Welcome to Webmaster World, Newmeco.

How are these layers currently positioned?

Also, I'm assuming you are not talking about the Netscape 4 <layer> tag, but divs that have a z-index number. Is that correct?

[Newmeco]

Thanks tedster, the template i've been given is just a 3*3 table, 770px wide, 100% height and aligned to center. At the moment the layers which I want to stay in the center cell of the table manage to obey until I resize the browser window, then the rest of the page slides underneath my layers. I'm using divs (and dreamweaver).

[knighty]

if you are using dreamweaver goto [dreamweaver.com,...] visit the exchange, browse by layers category and looks for "align layer" then simply download and install.

this will do everything for you all you have to do is tell it whch layers you want to center.

PS instead of using a 3 x 3 table why not just use layers and then nest the other layers. OR you could position the layers relatively within the cells but this can vary drastically cross browser.

[Newmeco]

That's close, but still no netscape :(

The align layer behaviour seems to work fine if you want your layer aligned dead center, but I've got three layers which all need to be somwhere near the center, but not on it.

I thought I was being clever when I applied the align behaviour to a dummy layer, and then nested my other layers relative to the dummy -this worked spot on in IE, NN reacted randomly - layers all over the place . . .

If I had a choice I would use nested layers, or even simply align the 3*3 table to the left - but I don't. Hopefully the client will change their minds and let me re-do the whole site from scratch (what's already there is a big mess) but they have their own in-house team and I don't want to step on their toes . . .

[knighty]

when nesting layers in netscape make sure to set the nested layers in a style sheet but leave the one holding the layers together as it is.

I have found that NN wil behave itself if you do this