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Is that three-column page layout causing you heartache? Can't quite get that navigation bar where you want it? Trying to convert that table to valid CSS code? And what exactly is "quirks mode"?
If you're looking for answers to questions like those, you will need to visit the Cascading Style Sheets section of our Web site. There you will find an array of links to articles, tutorials, and tools.
Several software applications are available for creating style sheets. They won't give you all the answers, but they can help to eliminate many of the mistakes. Some HTML/XHTML editors have style sheet creation ability built-in. Usually, they're not too sophisticated, but they do provide some of the basics. There are also other programs dedicated to the creation and tweaking of style sheets. Style Master is one of these.
Style Master, created by Westciv, is an excellent program for creating style sheets for Web sites of any size. The program has a large variety of tools to aid in the creation process. It helps, not only to code the style sheets, but to design the Web pages. Through the use of templates, wizards, and an excellent tutorial, it almost seems too easy. There are many facets to style sheet creation and Style Master seeks to address many of them.
 The Page Layout Wizard |
If you're new to CSS and not sure where to begin, start with the built-in tutorial. In 13 easy steps, you will build a stylish Web page using valid CSS and XHTML code. Along with providing instruction in the use of the wizards and WYSIWYG editors, the tutorial also teaches hand coding. Most importantly, it's well written and the instructions are clear. Even without any previous knowledge, you will begin to understand how styles sheets work. In addition, Westciv also offers beginning and advanced courses for downloading, as well as a comprehensive links page for additional information.
Style Master has five wizards: New Style Sheet, Page Layout,
Bread Crumb, Link Styles and Navbar. The Page
Layout wizard guides the user in setting-up one, two, or three column pages,
making the process a snap. Have you seen those "bread crumb" links on Web pages,
like the one at the top of this page: home / authoring
/ style_master? The Bread Crumb wizard makes their creation
a snap. The Navbar wizard creates a nice navigation bar, using built-in
templates.
 Main Screen |
The default screen layout, which can be changed by the user, contains everything necessary to produce the code and view the results. On the right side of the screen is the Properties Editor. This area contains a total of 14 individual editors for all of the different CSS properties, including a Text Style Editor, Background Editor, Border Editor, Margin Editor, Padding Editor, Page Layout Editor, and User Interface Editor. There is even a Page Break Editor to help in coding style sheets for printing.
In the middle of the screen is the style sheet itself. Here, the code can be manipulated by hand, through the Properties Editor, or by using a combination of both. The properties can easily be changed by placing the cursor in the code and making the changes in the Properties Editor, which automatically inserts the changes in the code. If you're hand coding and you make a mistake, the software will alert you to that fact. There is also a Support Watcher. This palette keeps an eye on the coding and tracks its compatibility with several different Web browsers (configured by the user).
On the top left side of the work area is the Statement List. This shows every statement in the style sheet; in the order in which it appears in the code. This gives an overview of the entire style sheet and allows the user to quickly move around the sheet . On the lower left side are the Compatibility Info and CSS Info palettes. These provide information for the currently active selector or property and its compatibility with different browsers. The software also has built-in validation for making sure the style sheet is "up to code".
At the bottom is the WYSIWYG viewer. Here, the page can be seen as it's edited. There is also an option to view the page in a browser outside of the program.
Because colors can be used with links, text, backgrounds and borders, choosing them can be tedious. Style Master makes this a snap. Colors can be selected from a wide range of palettes or from anywhere on the screen using the eyedropper, making color matching that much easier. Immediately, the effects can be seen in the WYSIWYG viewer.
If you create style sheets on a professional level, Style Master could become your best friend. It should also aid in the transition when you finally make the move to using style sheets for your entire Web site.
The software is available, without restrictions, as a 30-day demo. The price is $59.99 and includes a free copy of the Westciv Complete CSS Guide. The software is available for both Windows (95/98/2000/NT/XP) and MacOS X operating platforms. Help to make the Web a nicer place; create better style sheets.
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Created: May 2, 2003
Revised: June 30, 2004
URL: http://webreference.com/authoring/style_master
