Overview of the application
Adobe Dreamweaver remains a leading professional tool for designing and coding websites. The 2014 release refines the workflow with a series of incremental improvements rather than a radical redesign, focusing on faster authoring and easier on-the-fly edits for both static and dynamic pages.
What’s new at a glance
- Live Insert — place HTML elements directly into the Live View and see them render immediately.
- Expanded Live View editing — enhanced inline editing and quicker access to commonly used properties.
- Help Center — an integrated resource for learning new features and discovering common tasks.
- Element Quick View — an interactive HTML tree that lets you inspect and adjust the document structure.
Editing modes and layout controls
Dreamweaver continues to support multiple ways of working so you can choose what suits you best:
- Split view: view both the rendered page and the underlying code simultaneously.
- Full code view: work entirely in the code editor when you need precise control.
- WYSIWYG mode: edit visually and see how changes affect the layout immediately.
Inserting and arranging content is flexible — you can drag-and-drop or insert by markup, then reposition images, video and other media until the layout matches your intent.
Templates, styles and required skills
A small set of starter HTML and CSS templates are included to speed up initial projects, but a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS is recommended to get the most out of the program. The application’s tools simplify many tasks, but familiarity with web standards remains useful.
Integration and export limitations
Dreamweaver integrates tightly with Adobe’s Creative Suite components, providing a cohesive ecosystem for design and development workflows. Note, however, that you cannot export a project from Dreamweaver in a way that opens it directly in other Adobe apps (for example, Photoshop or Illustrator).
Subscription, syncing and learning curve
- Subscription model: Dreamweaver requires an active Creative Cloud subscription to use.
- Syncing and mobility: Creative Cloud integration keeps your projects backed up and synced across devices.
- Professional toolset: the interface and feature set are geared toward experienced users; mastering the application may take several months of practice.
Major enhancements in detail
Live View improvements
- Live View Property Inspector and inline editing features let you update text and properties without switching modes.
- Quick Property Inspector speeds access to frequently used attributes.
- Element Display and other Live View tweaks improve real-time feedback while you edit.
CSS Designer updates
- Border controls have an updated UI for faster adjustments.
- Quick-edit text boxes and support for copy-and-paste of style rules speed styling tasks.
- Workflow for custom properties was simplified, with better keyboard shortcuts and selector specificity tools.
Connections and workflows
- SFTP connections now accept identity files for authentication.
- Undo/Redo behavior has been improved across several workflows.
- Updates were made to integration points such as PhoneGap Build and Business Catalyst.
Extensions and settings
- The method for discovering and accessing extensions was revised.
- Sync settings behavior has changed to better preserve preferences between machines.
- You can submit bug reports and feature requests directly from within the app.
Help and documentation
A new, built-in Help Center provides step-by-step guidance for the most recent features and common tasks. Use it to get up to speed on the 2014 additions and to find troubleshooting tips without leaving the application.
Alternatives
- KompoZer — a free, full-featured web authoring suite suitable for basic to intermediate projects.
- Other modern tools — there are several contemporary editors and IDEs that cater to different workflows (visual-first, code-centric, or hybrid). Consider your needs for collaboration, version control, and platform support when choosing an alternative.
Technical
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