Instructions for Using the Cal Poly Template v3.4

Updated 05/14/2009

Template Setup and Overview

Requirements
Configuring Dreamweaver
Template Structure

Requirements

The Cal Poly Web Template v3.4 requires the use of Dreamweaver 8.0 or higher, and knowledge of Dreamweaver Templates, Libraries, and CSS. Options for obtaining Dreamweaver training can be found through the ITS Training Web site.

The University asks that in order to retain the accessibility of the template, keep the design the same and without modifying the original artwork or layout. Web sites in which the template has been changed could cause the site to become inaccessible and therefore will not be linked from the Cal Poly Web site. In addition, changes to the template CSS or code prevent it from being upgraded to newer versions of the template as they are released.

When working inside the cp_template_v3.4 folder, make sure you place all images unique to your Web site in the images folder and make any CSS adjustments using the files in the css folder.

Configuring Dreamweaver

This step assumes that you have downloaded the template and extracted it to a folder on a local file server (ITS strongly discourages storing Web sites on personal workstations). In Dreamweaver, set up your Web site so that the cp_template_v3.4 folder is your root folder and the images folder is your default folder for images.

Dreamweaver must be configured correctly in order to properly apply CSS classes for the CP Template. This is done by selecting the menu item Edit > Preferences > General Category, and ensure that checkbox "Use CSS instead of HTML tags" is checked.

Template Structure

The CP Template consists of a master template (master_template.dwt) that holds the department-specific information in the header and footer. The master template allows your department information to be consistent accross your entire site, and links to the four templates from which Web pages can be created. When creating a new page for your Web site, make sure to create it from the 1col_template.dwt, 2col_template.dwt, 3col_template.dwt, or homepage.dwt file, not the master_template.dwt.

Three-Column Template (3col_template.dwt)

Three-Column Template diagram