Problem with navigation bar URLs

[GregSW18]

Hi,

Learning to create nav bars with Fireworks.

Have created one with a number of buttons - each with all 4 states.

Exported it to Dreamweaver - and the button states work fine in a browser.

Then - in Dreamweaver - added URL links to each button.

The links work fine. But the button states stopped working properly.

For example:

On page 1 - I click the button for Page 2.

Page 2 comes up - but the button for Page 2 is still in it's 'up' state - not the 'down' state.

It worked fine before I added the URL links.


Also - I had to add the URL links in Dreamweaver - because adding them in Fireworks didn't work.

I'd prefer to add them in Fireworks - because I'll only have to add each link to each button once. In Dreamweaver - I have to add each link to each button in EACH PAGE - which takes much longer.

Can anyone help?

Thanks a lot,

- Greg Taylor

[goinon41]

Hi, Greg!
Unfortunately, the 4-state navbar won't work in the way you are trying to use it, except in the browser preview mode, or if you have inserted the nav bar in a "html frameset". It's a limitation of the format. However, all is not lost! You should explore the "Multiple Navbar" options available through the FILE>EXPORT menu. Click the OPTIONS tab, then click DOCUMENT SPECIFIC. You'll see a "Multiple nav" tick-box. Click this box and then export your FW file. FW will automatically generate a series of navbars (one for each button), all based upon your original file, but with the "Down" state showing on each appropriate file. They will all link to each other without any further intervention from you - you simply use them on the relevant html pages of your site.
There is some preparatory work for you to do beforehand, though. The details of this can be found at [url]http://www.macromedia.com/support/fireworks/ts/documents/multiple_html_exts.htm[/url]
Another option to consider when using navbars is the "Templates" function in DW. Creating a template can save you HUGE amounts of time and work when updating your site/changing links etc etc!
Hope this helps!
John Mc

************************
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pyroteknix.co.uk
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[GregSW18]

Hi,

Thanks for your tips. Much appreciated. However, I have Fireworks MX - and can't find the 'Object Panel' or 'Link Wizard'. Are there tech tutorials for FMX I can read?

Thanks,

- Greg Taylor

[goinon41]

Hi, Greg!
OOPS! Sorry, mate! I guess not everyone is still stuck in a FW4 timewarp like me! OK - the Properties Inspector is where you should head, 'coz the Link Wiz and Object panel don't seem to exist any more in MX. On the far left of the Inspector is a small field which shows the default name for your selected button (...r!_c1 stuff!). Overtype with the name you require (e.g. Home etc.). Then, in the Link field of the Inspector, insert your link (home.htm). Set your html options to "multiple htm files" and export away!
BTW - you will get an extra htm file generated, based on the actual FW file name (e.g. navbar.htm), which you can ignore. Plus a separate htm file for each individual page linked to from the navbar.
Hope this helps!
John Mc

************************
Heck! I'm trying hard, at least!

pyroteknix.co.uk
Fireworks4 Tutorials, Hints and Tips!
Take off the TOP before mailing me!