Visual DHTML

Netscape "Visual DHTML" is a sample Dynamic HTML (DHTML) visual development tool that's written in DHTML, runs in Navigator, and lets you create your own Dynamic HTML-based content without writing any code yourself.

Note: This version of Visual DHTML requires JavaScript1.2. We provide this tool for informational and testing purposes only; it is not an official Netscape product, and we make no guarantees about its reliability on any computing platform. Proceed at your own risk, but we think you'll enjoy the tool and find it very useful.


INTRODUCTION

Visual DHTML is a free Web-based authoring tool that lets you create interactive web content using the following DHTML technologies:

Check out the Features section for more information on what you can do with Visual DHTML.

What's special about Visual DHTML is that the tool itself is written completely in DHTML; you can develop DHTML with DHTML, including dynamic widgets, components, kiosk-style pages, webtops, channels, and other dynamic wizardry. The tool lets you build DHTML without writing any HTML or JavaScript yourself; all you need to do is select the elements you'd like to use from a series of menus, fill in the text (or graphics), and publish the resulting web pages.

Launch Visual DHTML!

Visual DHTML runs from a Navigator client window and can be hosted from standard HTTP Web servers or your computer's local hard disk.


GETTING STARTED

Start by launching a "New Page" from the Visual DHTML tool. This will give you a "Preview Page" window to develop with. Then select from the Menubar or Widgets palette to add items to your page.

Don't hesitate to experiment. You can use the "Undo" and "Redo" options to go to your previous setting and re-set things at any time like traditional authoring tools.

During the development of your page you can also drag your items around and re-position them.


DEMO

The Visual DHTML tool has a built-in demo/tutorial in order to demonstrate how the tool works. Select the "Demo" option from the Help menu via the menubar.
 


FEATURES

The following are some useful features of the Visual DHTML tool:

Visual DHTML brings JavaScript1.2 and DHTML towards its full and future potential and application level by bringing more traditionally low-level programming techniques and features to Web-based scripting languages, such as implementing an object oriented, component-based ("Bean" style) architecture with "Drag and Drop" functionality for quick and easy development, and including several pre-built DHTML widgets, such as the dynamic Drawer and Ticker that you can customize and component properties that you can modify. Also, if you like something about the functionality of this tool, you can copy and paste the source code by viewing the Page Source from Navigator.


USER LEVEL
Visual DHTML is ideal for all user levels. For beginners, you do not need to know any DHTML, HTML, or nerdy technical stuff to develop DHTML pages; all you do is select items and drag them where you want.

Advanced users can dig into the JavaScript code and component-based architecture, such as the MenuBar, ToolBar, StatusBar, Dialog widget, and customize things.


VERSION / COMPATIBILITY

Visual DHTML was originally created as a simple web-based prototype to show what you can do with DHTML, and to illustrate the new and improved features and capabilities of JavaScript1.2 and LiveConnect, as well as to demonstrate that you can built and deploy real JavaScript/DHTML applications and/or re-usable components. At the time of writing of this document, Visual DHTML was in a prototype/beta state. Currently Netscape Navigator 4 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 support different object models. This is not addressed, yet, in this beta version of Visual DHTML.


DOWNLOAD / CONNECTIVITY

On-line: Visual DHTML runs from a Navigator client window and can be hosted on-line from standard HTTP Web servers. Therefore, virtually no disk space, no installation, and no update processes are required for users, unlike traditional software applications.

Off-line: You can also run Visual DHTML off-line from your computer's local hard disk. Download and unzip the following archive containing all of the files for Visual DHTML so you can run it locally.

visualdhtml.zip

To view your DHTML page off-line, save the visual.js file to your hard drive and point to it locally from within your code.


MORE EXAMPLES

Visual DHTML is free to the public, and you can submit your URL for possible posting here, if you use Visual DHTML for your page, such as the following sites have done:


RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

If you need technical support or other assistance, please visit the support area. Email your comments and suggestions. about Visual DHTML to

For the latest technical information on Sun-Netscape Alliance products, go to: http://developer.iplanet.com

For more Internet development resources, try Netscape TechSearch.


Copyright © 1999 Netscape Communications Corporation.
This site powered by: Netscape Enterprise Server and Netscape Compass Server.