Visually Edit?

  • I’m slowly getting my head around this CSS stuff. I mean, I get HOW it works, it’s implementing it that’s such a major pain. I mean, doing it from scratch would be bad enough, but I think it’s harder trying to tweak someone else’s (poorly documented – not the default css) work. Sometimes I feel incredibly mired, lost, and frustrated – making NO progress whatsoever. Then I realize it’s all about “baby steps”. Anyway. . .
    To that end I’ve found a “visual” CSS editor that seems to do the trick for the most part. You can edit the CSS in one window and it will apply it “live” to an html page that has the appropriate corresponding tags.
    Question is, is there a way to get an “html” output of your page easily? I tried using index.php in this visual editor and that didn’t work for fairly obvious reasons. Then I tried a view source on my page and copy/paste/saving it as an html file, but that didn’t seem to work either. So, is there another way to attack this? It would help a TON if I could see what I was doing instead of making a slight change, uploading, chekcing it, nope, trying another change, uploading it, checking it, ok that worked, next change . . . .etc.
    Any thoughts?

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

  • What I did when designing my layout is to work on the layout in HTML format, without the PHP code. Then when I was ready to upload it, I plugged in the PHP (and of course changed the extension).

    Thread Starter Anonymous

    I tried that too, but you only get these thin bars that sometimes overlap each other and seem to be in the wrong spots, so it’s hard to get a clear picture of what the end result will look like.

    Thread Starter Anonymous

    P.s. Like you, there’s no way I can settle for a template. = ]

    If you don’t already have it, go and grab Firefox and install it. Then, grab the Web Developer toolbar extension and install it. You will have an amazing set of tools available to you. Then, you can use Firefox to bring up your site online, and edit CSS live in the sidebar and see immediate changes on the site. These changes are only local, so you don’t have to worry about things getting screwed up. You can also save all of your CSS changes, and then simply integrate them with your CSS file and upload it to your server.
    https://www.chrispederick.com/work/firefox/webdeveloper/
    A second, but far more complex solution, is set up PHP, MySQL and Apache (or other server) on your local machine. Then you can use your editor on a live site. I have Top Style Pro, and with that, I can map my preview page to be run through the server/PHP and get a live view of the page as I work with the design.

    Thread Starter Anonymous

    I have the toolbar, just kinda flipped through it though.
    Great idea!!
    (I tried the server install thing on my machine. It was fine, but . . . .bleh didn’t like that way of doing it.)
    Will give the toolbar a go, wasnt’ sure how it saved stuff . . .
    Thanks!

    Hi all,
    to get Lamp working on Windows somebody recommened XAMP or XAMPP (search by google maybe) He said is was so damn easy to install.
    And I LOVE The developer Toolbar! I use it all the time.
    Best for hardcore CSS editing is topstyle from Nick Bradbury (cant live without it – thanks nick!)
    I strongly recommend the little programm called “sizer” it resizes every window on some editable dimensions.
    For IE I would recommend the extension “List Stylesheet”.
    $0.2
    Rene

    Thread Starter Anonymous

    Yeah, I tried XAMPP and it seemed great, but overkill for what I wanted to do. I just want(ed) something quick/easy . . .the developer toolbar is helping in that regard. Except when I forget to copy my edits before clicking a link.
    Ooops.

    WOW!… this editor toolbar is one of THEEE best thigns i’ve ever come across- i think i’m def. going to donate to it’s creators!

    thanks for the links

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • The topic ‘Visually Edit?’ is closed to new replies.