Dreamweaver extensions are much like Firefox Add-ons because they are small additions to the program designed to help move certain things along faster and easier to increase design efficiency. Read on to find out more about how to use them, where to get them, and some of the best ones to use.
What are Dreamweaver Extensions?
Extensions are extras that work with Dreamweaver to add or enhance functionality to the program. These extensions help designers build more efficiently, creating better websites in less time. There are several different extensions available, designed to focus on different aspects of web design. Some of them are available for free, while others must be purchased before they can be used. Extensions are available for:
- CSS
- Navigation
- Shopping Cards/eCommerce
- Calendars
- Sessions and Cookies
- Content Management
- Email Marketing
- Image Gallery
- and more.
Where to Get Them
Dreamweaver extensions are available all over the Internet, as many companies specialize in making them and many websites are dedicated to sharing them with others. Adobe Developer Connection is a good place to find a variety of extensions.
Installing Dreamweaver Extensions
The Dreamweaver Extension Manager helps you install extensions to use in the program. It is a stand-alone program, designed to help you manage extensions for Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash. To use this method to install the extension, it should already be downloaded on to your computer system. Open the program, select Dreamweaver, and then: Go to File > Install Plugin. Locate the file you downloaded for the extension you want to install and click, "Install." Before installing the extension, read any disclaimers. Close down and restart Dreamweaver. The extension will now be installed and operate on Dreamweaver.
Double clicking the extension after you download it will also work to install it. Remember, the more you install, the slower Dreamweaver will be, so you should disable any extensions you are not using. This can be done with the Extension manager, too.
Popular Dreamweaver Extensions
Sell Downloads System: This helps with selling intangible products such as music downloads, e-books, and e-gift cards.
Form to Mail: This helps transfer data entered into a form into an email and sends it to the appropriate location.
Form Registration and Login: This helps create a registration form and login form to control what members of the website have access to what information.
Form Captcha: This helps create a captcha to reduce the SPAM a website receives.
Have any Dreamweaver extensions you know and love? Share them with us below.