Photoshop Variables

Anyone who used GoLive and Photoshop integration probably knows how great variables are. It is one of the greatest features, but I do not see that capability in Dreamweaver CS3. Is that true?

Explain variables please

--

Walt


"Timberwolf42" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

Anyone who used GoLive and Photoshop integration probably knows how great
variables are. It is one of the greatest features, but I do not see that
capability in Dreamweaver CS3. Is that true?

I copied two articles from the Adobe Help Center that might best explain it for
you.

To Define Variables (Photoshop CS2):
You use variables to define which elements in a template change. You can
define three types of variables. Visibility variables show or hide the content
of a layer. Pixel Replacement variables replace the pixels in the layer with
pixels from another image file. Text Replacement variables replace a string of
text in a type layer.

To Set Variables in a Photoshop File (GoLive CS2):
In a Photoshop file with variables, you can change the content of text
layers and the visibility of image layers.
If you import a file with text layers, GoLive automatically imports the
topmost text layer as a text variable. GoLive can also import lower text layers
as text variables, but only if you first assign variables to the layers in
Photoshop.
Using a Smart Photoshop object , add a PSD file with a text layer to the
Layout Editor.
In the Variable Settings dialog box, do any of the following:
To change the original text, select the Use option for the text variable and
enter text in the text box.
To specify whether the layer is visible or invisible in the target file,
select the Use option for the image layer, and then choose an option from the
menu.
To accept the original layer as is, leave the Use option deselected.

Basically, an image becomes dynamic, in a way. In a PSD file you can have
many layers. We all know this. If you save it for use on the web as, say, a
JPEG, then you can take that static JPEG and turn layers on and off and change
text layers (hence why they are called variables) because the JPEG (the target)
is linked to a layered PSD (the source).

For example: I have header images on my personal page. The PSD file has a
text layer for "updated", 4 picture layers for each season, four text layers
with colors to match the season, and a picture of me. When a new season comes
then I simply edit "variables" on the inspector pallette in GoLive, set the
season that it is to visible, the rest to invisible, change text as needed in
"updated", and click okay. All without having to open Photoshop and edit the
original image. Very cool stuff! Quick and very easy.

Interesting, Thanks.

No I can't see anything in DW exactly what you describe (or better stated my
perception of what you describe). I think the final result could be very
similar using Template parameters. Check that out in DW's Help (F1)

--

Walt


"Timberwolf42" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

I copied two articles from the Adobe Help Center that might best explain it
for
you.

To Define Variables (Photoshop CS2):
You use variables to define which elements in a template change. You
can
define three types of variables. Visibility variables show or hide the
content
of a layer. Pixel Replacement variables replace the pixels in the layer
with
pixels from another image file. Text Replacement variables replace a
string of
text in a type layer.

To Set Variables in a Photoshop File (GoLive CS2):
In a Photoshop file with variables, you can change the content of
text
layers and the visibility of image layers.
If you import a file with text layers, GoLive automatically imports the
topmost text layer as a text variable. GoLive can also import lower text
layers
as text variables, but only if you first assign variables to the layers in
Photoshop.
Using a Smart Photoshop object , add a PSD file with a text layer to the
Layout Editor.
In the Variable Settings dialog box, do any of the following:
To change the original text, select the Use option for the text variable
and
enter text in the text box.
To specify whether the layer is visible or invisible in the target file,
select the Use option for the image layer, and then choose an option from
the
menu.
To accept the original layer as is, leave the Use option deselected.

Basically, an image becomes dynamic, in a way. In a PSD file you can have
many layers. We all know this. If you save it for use on the web as,
say, a
JPEG, then you can take that static JPEG and turn layers on and off and
change
text layers (hence why they are called variables) because the JPEG (the
target)
is linked to a layered PSD (the source).

For example: I have header images on my personal page. The PSD file has a
text layer for "updated", 4 picture layers for each season, four text
layers
with colors to match the season, and a picture of me. When a new season
comes
then I simply edit "variables" on the inspector pallette in GoLive, set
the
season that it is to visible, the rest to invisible, change text as needed
in
"updated", and click okay. All without having to open Photoshop and edit
the
original image. Very cool stuff! Quick and very easy.