Dreamweaver Extensions

Using Dreamweaver extensions, you can build onto the application by creating extensions and sharing them. You can also use extensions built by others, which lets you add extra functionality to your webpages and website.

The Dreamweaver extensions are made with HTML and Javascript and in some cases C++. An extension is packed using XML and a handy tool called the extension manager. Extension manager lets you install and package extensions and organize them.

Extension Manager

The Extension Manager is an application that lets you install and manage extensions in Macromedia applications.

In case you don’t have extension manager already installed on your machine, you can download it from www.macromedia.com/exchange/em_download.

1. Download the Extension Manager installation file by clicking on the link for either MAC OS or windows.
   
2. After downloading the installation file em_install.exe, double click the file to begin the installation process.

Start the Extension Manager from Dreamweaver by choosing Commands > Manage Extensions.

The Extension Manager is used to

1. Install Extensions
2. Package Extensions
3. Submit Extensions
4. Remove Extensions

These options can be found in the File Menu of the application. In the dropdown list shown in the Figure-8.2, you can see a drop-down list containing all of the applications that are installed on your machine that support Extension Manager.

Adding Extensions to Dreamweaver

Go to the Macromedia Exchange website at
www.macromedia.com/go/dreamweaver_exchange/. To find the latest extensions for the dreamweaver.

Once on this site you can log in and download extensions of your choice. Some of these extensions are paid and some are free.

1. Click the download link for an extension of your choice.
   
   Your browser may prompt to open and install or save it to the disk.

   
   Figure-8.4

   If the extension is opened directly from the site, the Extension Manager handles the installation automatically.
   
   Of you can save the extension package .mxp to the download extensions folder within the dreamweaver application folder or any other folder of your choice.
   
2. Double-click the extension package file, or open the Extension Manager and select File > Install Extension.
   
   The extension is installed in Dreamweaver. You can see all the installed extensions in the extension manager window.

   
   Figure-8-5

Using Dreamweaver Extensions

1. Once you have installed the extension, its behavior appears under the commands menu. E.g., The paypal shopping cart extension. Goto Command à Paypal Shopping cart

   
   Figure-8.6

2. In the Paypal shoppingcart behavior window. Give the URL of your website and your Paypal ID. Rest are the optional fields.

   
   Figure-8.7

3. You can add Item information by clicking on the item button. Fill in the Product name, product price, shipping and handling charges as shown in Figure-8.8.

   
   Figure-8.8

4. You can choose the graphic for the paypal button by clicking on the “graphic” button in the Paypal Shopping Cart Behavior window.
   
5. Click Ok to generate the Code based on the given settings.
   
6. Once you click Ok, the paypal shopping button appears in the design view. This button has all the paypal shopping code associated with it automatically generated based on the settings provided.
   
7. Switch to the code view/split view to check the code generated.

   
   Figure-8.9

You can add as many shopping cart items into your webpage as you wish using the paypal shopping cart extension.