Web Studio has lots of great features that make building your Web site a snap. Once you learn a few of the tricks and shortcuts here, it will be even easier!
Layout and Design Tips
Creating a Vertical Divider
Using Dividers as a 3D Graphics Frame
The Do's and Don'ts of Web Page Design
Web-Safe Fonts
Adding an E-mail Link to Text
Deleting a Link from "My Links"
Work Faster
Selecting a Group of Objects
Using the CTRL Key in Web Studio
Importing Several Items at Once
Working With Graphics
Using the "My Stuff" tab
Adding Images from Your Web Browser
Making Your Images Transparent
Adding Your Own Background Image
Using the "Save" Page as Graphic Command
Technical Tips
Choosing HTML 3.2, 4.0 or Both!
Uploading Your Site
Using Microsoft Office products and Web Studio
General Tips to Help You Get the Most out of Web Studio
How to Get the Most out of Your Web Studio Links Tab
Using the Anchor Link
Visiting Links with a CTRL and Double-Click
Changing Font style, Color, and Background with a Simple Right-Click!
Unlimited Undo: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Saving Your Site
Creating a Vertical Divider
To create a vertical divider for your Web page, do the following:
- Start Web Studio, and open either a new or an existing Web site.
- Click on the Dividers tab.
- Drag a desired divider to your work surface.
- Click on the Special F/X tab.
- Drag the "Rotate" effect onto your divider.
- The divider will now rotate to vertical position.
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Using Dividers as a 3D Graphics Frame
Several of the Web Studio dividers can be used to create colorful, "3D" frames for clip art and photos. Framing an image in this way creates the illusion of depth on your Web page and adds to its overall quality.
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The Do's and Don'ts of Web Page Design
- Do make your images small. Big images mean slow downloads.
- Do make your background white or a neutral color if you are adding lots of text to your page. The combination of dark backgrounds and light text is very difficult to read.
- Do add some animated GIF's or some Cool Stuff applets to your page.
- Don't add too many!
- Do add your favorite links. Everybody can benefit from your surfing experience!
- Don't worry! Designing your page is easy with Web Studio!
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Web-Safe Fonts
When your Web site is posted on the Internet, you can be confident that all of your images will appear just as you intended.
However, the fonts or styles of text that you used must be "Web-safe" in order to be confident that your layout will remain consistent from computer to computer.
If you choose an unusual font, i.e. Raphael or Anna, and your page is viewed by a friend whose computer does not have either of those fonts, then a "replacement" font will be substituted. This replacement font, which may or may not look similar to your chosen font, could produce a problem with your Web site's layout on your friend's screen.
To solve this problem, use only the fonts that come loaded on any computer using Microsoft Windows. You can now be sure that your pages will look the way you intended them for a vast majority of the viewing public.
Web-Safe Fonts
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Courier
- Etc.
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Adding an E-mail Link to Text
To add an e-mail link to a word or series of words in a body of text, do the following:
- Open your Web page in Web Studio and click the Link tab.
- Go to Insert>Add My Own Link.
- Name your link "My E-mail" or whatever you decide.
- For the Link URL, erase the "http://" and enter "mailto:" followed by your e-mail address. Example: "mailto:webstudio@sierra.com."
- Click OK. The link will now be in the Links window.
- Single-click on your body of text and highlight the words you wish to "link" via e-mail.
- Drag the "My E-mail" link from the Link tab to the highlighted word(s).
- Preview the Web site and check your link.
- If the link does not work, try the procedure again.
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Deleting a link from "My Links"
If you make a mistake, or no longer need a specific link in the My Links section of the Link tab, do the following:
- Open Windows Explorer.
- Navigate to the Sierra\WebStudio\ folder and view its contents.
- Double-click on the "linkfldr" folder.
- Double-click on the My Links text file to open the file in Wordpad or Notepad.
- Delete the name and link URL.
- Choose File>Exit.
- A dialog box will open asking if you would like to save your changes.
- Choose "Yes".
- Close Windows Explorer.
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Selecting a Group of Objects
The advantage of working with a group of objects (i.e. clip art or photos) is that a command is applied to all the objects at once, significantly increasing the speed at which you experiment with your layout. There are two distinct ways to work with a group of objects on your Web page.
- Hold down the Shift key, and click on the desired objects.
- Hold down the left mouse button, and "drag the net" around the desired objects. The objects that have been selected will now have "handles" around them. (For a detailed look at Handles, run the Web Studio Tutorial by going to Help>Tutorial in the program.)
- You can now align, resize, and relocate all of the selected objects.
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Using the CTRL Key in Web Studio
- With the CTRL key you can perform to time-saving, Web page-enhancing operations.
- Hold down the CTRL key, and click on an object. This will place an exact copy of the image on the page. Simply click on the image again, and drag the new image to a new position on your Web page.
- Before you resize the object, hold down the CTRL key. When you finish resizing, Web Studio will automatically smooth, or "dither," the image. Dithering is the process of softening the pixels in the image. This keeps the image from looking grainy.
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Importing Several Items at Once
You can import any image into Web Studio using the Insert>Picture from file command. But if you use the CTRL key, you can import several images at once. Here's how:
- Start Web Studio
- Open a new or existing Web site.
- Go to Insert>Picture from file.
- Select the folder that contains the images you wish to add.
- Holding down the CTRL key, click on each one of the images. They should be highlighted.
- Click Open.
- The images will now be added to your Web page and ready for moving, resizing, and editing.
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Using the "My Stuff" tab
The Web Studio My Stuff Gallery allows you to load up to 250 images from any folder on your hard drive. This gives you quick, easy access to all of your favorite images from Web Studio. The easiest way to use this folder is to create a "My Stuff" folder in the Web Studio folder on your hard drive.
- Go to Start>Programs> Windows Explorer, and navigate to your Sierra>Web Studio folder (usually found on the C:/ drive).
- Double-click on the Web Studio folder.
- Go to File>New>Folder. A new folder will appear with a blue text box beneath.
- Type in the name "My Stuff."
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Adding Images from Your Web Browser
If you have a subscription to an online clip art service, like Art Today you can surf the Web and add images to a Web Studio site by simply dragging and dropping the image from the browser to Web Studio. Here's how:
- Start Web Studio, and begin creating a site.
- Open your Web browser, and connect to the Internet.
- Surf the Web until you find an image that you want to add to your Web page. (Remember copyright laws make it illegal to use copyrighted images on your Web pages!)
- Resize your Browser window and Web Studio window so you can see both.
- Click on the desired image, and drag it to the Web Studio work place.
- The image will appear! It is ready to be moved around, resized, and edited!
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Making Your Images Transparent
Web Studio allows you to create unique and interesting effects by giving you full control of the transparent elements in any image. By making portions of an image transparent, the illusion of one blended image is produced. To select transparency, do the following:
- Right-click over the desired image, and select Transparent Color>Choose Color.
- The image is displayed on the left, and all of the specific colors in the image are displayed on the right.
- To determine the transparent color you can either click on any portion of the image on the left, or choose one of the specific color squares on the right. The color you choose will become transparent or "invisible."
- Creative use of transparency will help you produce a one-of-a-kind Web site!
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Adding Your Own Background Image
You can add a background from another Web page by using the "Paste as Background" command in the Edit menu. Here's how:
- Start Web Studio, and begin working on a new or existing Web site.
- Open your Web browser, and connect to the Internet.
- When you find a page that has a background that you like, right-click over the Web page background and choose Copy Background.
- Open the Web Studio window, and right click over your work surface.
- Choose "Paste as Background." The background will now grace your Web page.
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Using the "Save" Page as Graphic Command
Web Studio allows you to save any page you create as a graphic itself. This is useful if you wish to use your Web page as a part of your resume, or as something you can print and place on your bulletin board.
You could make a cool Web page, save it as a graphic, print it, and send it to a friend as a greeting card! You can also save the file and make your own Windows wallpaper! Here's how:
- Start Web Studio, and create a cool Web page.
- Go to File>Save Page as Graphic, and save the image in the folder of your choice on your hard drive.
- Minimize all of your windows, and right-click over the Windows desktop.
- Choose Properties.
- Click on the Background tab.
- Click Browse.
- Go to the appropriate folder, and double click on the graphic you just saved.
- Click OK.
- Your Web Studio Web page is now your Windows wallpaper!
- Another cool thing you can do is save the page as a graphic and use the image as a thumbnail, or "visual link," to the page itself. Here's how:
- Create a three-page Web site in Web Studio.
- Once completed, go to the second page in the site and choose "Save Page as Graphic". Save the file to your Windows desktop.
- Go to the first page, and choose Insert>Picture from File.
- Go to the Windows desktop, and double-click on the file you just saved.
- It will now appear as if the second page is on your first! Grab the handle in the upper corner, and resize the graphic to thumbnail size.
- Open the Links tab, and drag the second page link onto the thumbnail.
- You now have a thumbnail link.
- Repeat the process with the third page.
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Choosing HTML 3.2, 4.0 or Both!
Web Studio by default generates two complete versions of your Web site. Why two? Well, this allows you to be confident that all of the features you have placed on your site will be viewed properly by a visitor to your site regardless of what version Web browser (ex. Internet Explorer 3.0 or 4.0) they are using.
As the Web has developed, so has HTML and Web browsers. HTML is the series of tags, or layout instructions, that are loaded behind scenes when you visit any Web site. (You can view any page's HTML by going to View>Source in Internet Explorer or by going to View>Page Source in Netscape Navigator.)
Web Studio allows you to produce a site without thinking about which browser will be used to view the site by creating a version specifically for 3.0 browsers and another specifically for 4.0 browsers.
Inside your Web Studio Web site is the Web site's properties. Click on the "Web Site Properties" button in the Page Palette. Click on the Advanced tab. Here is where you can determine what version of HTML to use:
- Version 3.2 is older, and does not allow the overlapping of images on your pages. Version 4.0 is the latest standard and is best viewed by users who have version 4.0 or higher Web browsers.
- If you can be confident that everyone you know will view your site using Web browsers of 4.0 or higher, then click on the "Use HTML 4.0 only" button. This will save you time when your pages are previewed and uploaded, and will save you space on your server.
- If you are unsure about the browsers your acquaintances are using, then stick to using both. In this way, you can be confident that your site will look as it is intended.
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Uploading Your Site
Web Studio comes with its own uploader, so posting your Web site to the Internet is a snap. Remember to save your User ID and Password from your Web space provider. Also, you will need to get the Host Directory and FTP address from your Web space provider.
If you choose to use Xoom, GeoCites, AOL, Fortune City, or Talk City, refer to the Web Studio Upload page for specific instructions.
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Using Microsoft Office products and Web Studio
If you have a text document that you wish to add to Web Studio, then take advantage of the HTML object in the Cool Stuff tab and Microsoft Office's Save as HTML feature. (If your Office products do not have this choice, go to Microsoft's Web site) Here's how:
- Start Web Studio and open a new or existing Web site.
- Open Microsoft Word and the document you wish to add to your Web Studio page.
- In Word go to File>Save As HTML. Name the document and save it to your Windows Desktop.
- In Web Studio go to the Cool Stuff tab, and drag the HTML object onto your page. Right-click over the top, and choose "Properties".
- Click on the HTML content tab, and click the "Import" button.
- Go to the Windows Desktop, and double click on your saved HTML file. (It will read .HTM.)
- The HTML will now be displayed in the Web Studio HTML object box. Click OK.
- Preview your Web page, and you will now see your document!
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How to Get the Most out of Your Web Studio Links Tab
The Web Studio links tab is a gathering place for some of the best places on the Web - in our opinion and in yours! How?
Well, we have loaded more than 250 links to sites, from the Hubble Space Telescope to the San Diego Zoo, from E-Commerce sites to Free Web hosting for your Web Studio Web sites!
In addition, Web Studio loads your favorites or bookmarks from your browser so that you can share your cool Internet finds with your friends and family via your Web site.
The Links tab is also home to the links within the Web site you construct. As you add pages to your Web site, a link with the name of that page gets added to the window within the Links tab that shares the same name as your Web site. You can link to other pages by dragging this link onto your Web page or a specific object.
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Using the Anchor Link
An "anchor" is used to place an "intra-page" link on any given page. They are most handy if you have a long Web page that requires considerable scrolling. This allows you place a link at the bottom of page that will automatically scroll up to the top of the page.
Another popular use for anchors is to have a series of questions at the top of a page and an anchor that links a specific answer to a specific question. Here's how you use anchors:
- Start Web Studio and open a new or existing Web site.
- Place an icon (this can be any graphic) or button at the top of the page.
- Click on the Links tab, then drag "Add Anchor to Object," and drop it on top of the icon.
- Name the Anchor. An example would be: "Top of Page."
- Scroll down your page and place another icon at the bottom of your page.
- Drag the newly created anchor link (in our example, "Top of Page") and drop in on top of the icon. The linking box will now appear indicating that a link has been placed on this icon.
- Preview the Web site by hitting your F5 key to see the anchor link in action.
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Visiting Links with a CTRL and Double-Click
Web Studio comes loaded with more than 250 links for you to add to your Web pages. (In addition it searches your hard drive and adds your favorite sites from your Navigator bookmarks to your Internet Explorer favorites.)
The topics range from Astronomy and Space, to Zoos and Aquariums. You can check out any of these links quickly and easily by doing the following:
- Start Web Studio.
- Connect to the Internet.
- Click on the Links tab.
- Hold down the CTRL key, and double click on any link you wish to view.
- Your Web browser will open, and the desired Web site will be loaded.
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Changing Font style, Color, and Background with a Simple Right-Click!
Web Studio allows you to add fonts and adjust their size, color, and their transparency. It also allows you to create cool effects by adding a background color to the text itself! Here's how:
- Start Web Studio, and open a new or existing Web site.
- Click on the Text tab. Drag a desired font onto your work surface, and type your desired text.
- Right click over the text, and choose Text Background Color>Text Background Color. Choose any color you like, and click OK. The color is now the background to the text box!
- You can resize the text box to create your desired effect.
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Unlimited Undo: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Saving Your Site
Web Studio comes with an unlimited undo feature. Simply put, this allows you undo everything you have done in constructing your site, only in reverse. This is a powerful tool that aids you in site design and layout experimentation.
With Web Studio's Special F/X and clip art collection you can spend a lot of time playing around with graphics, creating that perfect image for your Web page.
But often, going down uncharted waters takes you someplace you don't want to go. This is where the undo feature is its most helpful. By undoing a series of actions, you can get to your original starting point without have to "recreate" you efforts from the beginning.
The only drawback to having an unlimited undo is that each action placed on the unlimited undo list requires a small portion of your systems memory. As this list gets longer (and this can happen quickly as you drag and drop, rotate and flip, colorize and posterize!) that small portion of memory becomes a large piece of memory.
If this portion gets too big, you can experience a system crash. To avoid the pain and agony of this do the following:
- Save your Web site as you go.
- With each save the Undo list is wiped clean, and your memory is reset and ready for a new group of actions.
- However, once saved, you cannot go back to "pre-saved" undos.
- So, each time you are happy with the look and design of your Web site, go to File, and hit Save.
- Or do a quick CTRL+ S keyboard command. This should spare you from any system crashes, and keep you current with an always-fresh backup of your site.
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