3-Column Web Page Using CSS Layers in Dreamweaver CS4

By Dawn Pedersen · 03/10/2009 ·

Step 5: Create the Lower Container

Now we’ll create the main content rectangle. It won’t be visible by itself, but it is necessary as a frame for the multi-colored columns. First, we’ll tell Dreamweaver that we want this layer just below the navigation layer.

Click on the Code button on the Document tool bar.
Find this bit of code again and click just before it:
</div>
</body>
</html>
Click on the Design button on the Document tool bar.
In the Insert panel, click on the Insert Div Tag button.
Click on the New CSS Rule button.
In the New CSS Rule box, use these settings and click OK:
1. Selector Type: ID
2. Selector Name: #local-container
3. Rule Definition: main.css
In the CSS Rule definition for #local-container box, use these settings and click OK twice:

Category	Setting	Value
Type	Color	#000000
Box	Width	720 pixels
Positioning	Type	relative

Save both the source code and main.css (Save > Save All.) With index.html active, press F12 to view the page in a browser. It should look like this:

end of step 5

Step 6: Create the Left-Hand Column

We’ll create three columns for the content. The first column will be for sidebar information. It has a grass green background, 10 pixels of padding around its text, and a 1-pixel white border on its right side. We need to tell it to float left because we will be putting layers side-by-side here, rather than one atop the other. I used the left column as a sidebar.

Click inside the local-container layer and delete the text there. Leave your cursor inside the layer.
In the Insert panel, click on the Insert Div Tag button.
Click on the New CSS Rule button.
In the New CSS Rule box, use these settings and click OK:
1. Selector Type: ID
2. Selector Name: #left
3. Rule Definition: main.css
In the CSS Rule definition for #left box, use these settings and click OK twice:

Category	Subcategory	Setting	Value
Background		Background color	#9cff00
Box		Width	150 pixels
Box		Float	Left
	Padding (Same for all)	Top	10
Border (UNCHECK same for all for all 3 columns)	Right	Style	solid
		Width	1 pixel
		Color	#ffffff

Save both the source code and main.css (Save > Save All.) With index.html active, press F12 to view the page in a browser. It should look like this in Firefox (other browsers will vary):

end of step 6

Step 7: Create the Center Column

This column will contain the main content. It has a white background, 10 pixels of text padding, and 1-pixel white borders on the top and bottom. It also needs to float left. We’ll tell Dreamweaver to put it just after the left column.

Click on the Code button on the Document tool bar.
Find this bit of code and click just after it:
<div id="left">Content for id "left" Goes Here</div>
Click on the Design button on the Document tool bar.
In the Insert panel, click on the Insert Div Tag button.
Click on the New CSS Rule button.
In the New CSS Rule box, use these settings and click OK:
1. Selector Type: ID
2. Selector Name: #center
3. Rule Definition: main.css
In the CSS Rule definition for #center box, use these settings and click OK twice:

Category	Subcatategory	Setting	Value
Background		Background color:	#ffffff
Box		Width	358 pixels
Box		Float	Left
	Padding (same for all)	Top	10
Border (UNCHECK same for all in all 3 columns)	Top	Style	solid
		Width	1 pixel
		Color	#ffffff
	Bottom	Style	solid
		Width	1 pixel
		Color	#ffffff

Save both the source code and main.css (Save > Save All.) With index.html active, press F12 to view the page in a browser. It should look like this in Firefox (other browsers will vary):

end of step 7

Step 8: Create the Center Column

This last column could be for secondary navigation or a second sidebar. We’ll tell Dreamweaver to put it just after the center column.

Click on the Code button on the Document tool bar.
Find this bit of code and click just after it:
<div id="center">Content for id "center" Goes Here</div>
Click on the Design button on the Document tool bar.
In the Insert panel, click on the Insert Div Tag button.
Click on the New CSS Rule button.
In the New CSS Rule box, use these settings and click OK:
1. Selector Type: ID
2. Selector Name: #right
3. Rule Definition: main.css
In the CSS Rule definition for #right box, use these settings and click OK twice:

Category	Subcategory	Setting	Value
Background		Background color	#22ffd8
Box		Width	150 pixels
Box		Float	Left
	Padding (Same for all)	Top	10
Border (UNCHECK same for all for all 3 columns)	Left	Style	solid
		Width	1 pixel
		Color	#ffffff

Save both the source code and main.css (Save > Save All.) With index.html active, press F12 to view the page in a browser. It should look like this in Firefox (other browsers will vary):

end of step 8

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Category: CSS, Dreamweaver, Tutorials

Tags: box model, CSS, Dreamweaver, layers

Comments

29 Comments

By Sarah, 04/27/2009 @ 1:27 am

This is a great tutorial. I want to encourage my students to use DIVs and CSS instead of tables. They should easily be able to follow this in a lesson its very clear.
By Siobhan, 05/06/2009 @ 9:16 am

I just set up my homepage following your tutorial – it has been of great help to me and it worked a treat, so thank you.
By Dawn Pedersen, 05/06/2009 @ 6:00 pm

You are so welcome, Sioban! Thanks for the feedback, Sarah. I’m glad it is useful to you.
By Jober, 05/14/2009 @ 6:37 am

This has been a real help, particularly with regard to getting the columns to drop all the way down evenly to the footer.
By Dawn Pedersen, 05/20/2009 @ 4:08 pm

I received this comment from Lucy, but for some reason it’s not showing up:

“This tutorial makes creating a website in CSS just so simple. I was really nervous about making the change from tables to CSS but Dawn gave me the confidence to create my very first site in CSS! I just tweaked her example dimensions and background colours to suit my own and here’s the finished result for my charity website – http://www.richiekeefelifeandsoultrust.org.uk
Thanks Dawn!”
By Dawn Pedersen, 05/20/2009 @ 4:09 pm

P.S. Good job, Lucy!
By Shanny, 05/28/2009 @ 7:45 am

That was so awesome,thanks!

I just can’t work out how to do that last bit where you put the picture in, do you have to do this for every css webpage? Sorry I’m very new at CSS!
By Dawn Pedersen, 05/28/2009 @ 5:05 pm

Hi Shanny!

Step 11 adds “css-layers-bgcolor.gif” to all pages that are using that external CSS file and also using the #container div. You have one single external CSS file, and you attach all HTML Web pages to it that should look the same. Check out the “link” icon at the bottom of the CSS Styles panel in this image: http://blulob.com/images/tutorials/css-layers-01.gif. Or just do a “Save As” on your first page to create a second page.
By JayR, 05/28/2009 @ 8:55 pm

Nice tutorial..and easy to understand..keep up the good work! even to those who doesn’t have any knowledge in css can follow your directions.
By Dawn Pedersen, 05/30/2009 @ 12:34 am

Thanks, JayR!
By drleadbasedpaint, 06/02/2009 @ 8:56 pm

This is a great tutorial. I’ve always avoided learning css because I don’t have the time. Now with layers gone from Dreamweaver, I’m sort of forced into it. You made everything very clear and easy to follow. I’m going to have to do this several times to get the hang of it though!
By Dawn Pedersen, 06/03/2009 @ 10:27 am

Dreamweaver’s “layers” were really just CSS divs all along. The name “layers” derives from the fact that you can overlap them by using different z-index values. In this tutorial, the divs don’t overlap, but they still work essentially the same way as “layers”. They could overlap if we wanted them to. I’m glad you found the tutorial useful and easy to follow!
By drleadbasedpaint, 06/09/2009 @ 9:28 am

I’ve been working with your layout tutorial for a while now, trying to get familiar with how it’s done. I’ve learned a lot, but there’s one thing I can’t do & I am hoping you could give me a pointer or two.

In the navigation, I want to add a CSS menu bar. I tried a few including the one at http://webdesigninfo.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/creating-simple-css-menu-bar/ and the one at http://toshuo.com/2006/how-to-make-a-css-menubar/

No matter what I do, I can’t get this concept to work. I invariably end up with a vertical list of each menu item in a vertical column, or I get the menu bar & I can’t reposition it to be in the navigation area. Also, when that happens I lose out on the column adjustments in your tutorial that make the columns go all the way down the page.

I really would appreciate it if you could give me a suggestion!

Best regards,

Dr. Paint
By Dawn Pedersen, 06/09/2009 @ 9:32 pm

Hi Dr. Paint,

I would not be able to diagnose this without the source files. I’d be happy to work with you on an hourly consultation basis. I will be available after this week is over. Email me at dawn@blulob.com.
By Josh, 06/20/2009 @ 1:38 pm

thank you so much – this is an amazing!!! tutorial best one on the internet thanks you
By Dawn Pedersen, 06/20/2009 @ 3:15 pm

You’re welcome, Josh. And thanks for the compliment!
By Donna, 07/03/2009 @ 5:18 pm

Dawn, I have been struggling to put together a website from scratch for a couple of weeks now. I have taken all kinds of Paid For classes that have left me very frustrated. Your tutorials are clear concise and are greatly appreciated. GREAT JOB!!!!!
By Dawn Pedersen, 07/05/2009 @ 3:18 pm

Thanks, Donna!
By Pam, 07/18/2009 @ 5:06 pm

Thank you for this it’s fantastic. I’m off to update my boring website. You’re a star
By Dawn Pedersen, 07/20/2009 @ 9:20 am

Thanks, Pam!
By Hussain M Hamid, 08/13/2009 @ 7:59 am

Thank you very very much for your guidence
two days back i am stucked in creating three column layout using Dreamwever CS3, but after reading your tutorials it solved my problem
this is really a good stuff
By Hector M., 09/08/2009 @ 2:38 pm

I just want to tell you that I have seen many Tutorials, but never one as Thorough, Precise and Easy to follow as this. You have done a masterful job helping me and others. Dawn, You are the BOMB!!! Keep them coming…. Thanks.
By John, 10/10/2009 @ 7:58 pm

great tutorial! Explained very well, and easy to follow`-`
One note: however in the beginning steps when creating the main.css file, I choose body and having dreamweaver writing everything for me. It creates the tag .body and not body.

This took a while to figure out why the css was not working. Dreamweaver did give a warning saying this was a general tag, are you sure?

This is more of a bug in dreamweaver!

I think as this is one of the best html/CSS that I have encountered, well done and thank you!
By Henry Nwankwoala, 07/28/2010 @ 3:15 am

Your tutorial is really awesome. I did enjoy it.
Please i need a favour from you. Am trying to design a website where users(or registers for new users) enters their username and password to enter the main webpage.
Can you help me out on what to do
By Abubakar, 01/03/2011 @ 10:25 pm

this tutorial is very interesting. i follow it and finally created a website.
thnx u so much
By Md. Munna, 06/10/2011 @ 7:38 am

Thank you for this great tutorial.
I didn’t find such a detailed explanation of layout using dreamweaver with css any where else.
By J.H., 07/24/2011 @ 9:16 pm

This has SAVED me from disaster in my Web Design class. God, I cannot thank you enough!
By KC, 09/23/2011 @ 12:51 pm

Fantastic tutorial! I’ve been struggling with how to use the CSS tools in Dreamweaver and your instruction was the clearest I’ve come across. Thank you!
By sseninde j, 01/12/2012 @ 8:09 am

how can i thank u