another pair of eyes on table issue?

[DiamondLil]

hi guys,
I could really use another pair of eyes on this.

This is a table with graphics & set pixel size nested into the center of the other table (wanted to avoid nesting many tables so there are only 2) which is supposed to have the top & bottom cells at 50% of window, and the sides at 50% of window. This is supposed to make it look like the center table is "floating" in the center of the outside table when the browser window is expanded.

I can't get all the cell sizes straight to save my life - there is something that is fighting the cells and I can't figure out where. I've set all the sizes first with golive, then straight into the code, then I stripped that all out and tried spec-ing it out with CSS. No joy yet.

help?

This is a graphic of what it is supposed to look like:

http://www.mc2ads.com/sitedesign.html

this is the stubborn page:

http://www.mc2ads.com/newtest.html

 

[DaRNCaT]

basicaly tables/ rows need values. The browser reads from left to right, so you need to specify widths.
I think to get what you want, you are going to either have to use spacer images, or use a background image and a set body border width. that way you'd have a set size and no collapsing of the cells. I tend to slice and export the layout image- using fireworks and dreamweaver, and then remove un-used graphics and replace with b/g color. (no I don't use style sheets for layout)
It didn't look like you were missing any tag closings or anything, just a basic lack of set table widths to keep things in place- and nesting tables with %'s will cause problems in netscape... browser compatability is a pest!
g'luck.
Sometimes, when my code just won't behave, I take it outside and make it listen to britney spears music, and when it comes back it's really well behaved. I wonder if it's suffering from post tramatic stress syndrome now..

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

Out of curiousity, what resolution are you designing this site for?

In 1024 the page that you don't like looks a lot better to me than the image.

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.com

http://www.mailtosanta.co.uk

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change.
The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

 

[coldfused]

Agreed wullie, whats the point of all tha extra stuff on the side?

It does not add to the layout, nor will it be small monitor, resolution friendly..........

carlsatterwhite@orlandomediasolutions.com

 

[DiamondLil]

thanks for the responses...

virt2002 - ; ) mine is not to question why - mine is but to do and die (in response to questions about the layout...). Trying to stick to a layout that was given to me.

DaRNCaT- I've specified the values many different ways. We shouldn't have to use spacer images because we have specified cell sizes in % or auto or pixels depending on which cell it is. fireworks & imageready are great but they create a lot of superflous images. Wanted to make this lean & avoid spacer images, more than 1 nested table, etc.

wullie - Layout is supposed to be for > 800 x 600.

The nested table (and the center cell of the outside table which is holding this table) is supposed to be the specified 800 x 500 px. Everything outside of it is supposed to expand with the browser window, but browser seems to choke when I set % for height. 1st time this has ever happened quite this way. Any ideas why?

*DaRNCaT - i couldn't wish britney s. on anyone *


lil

 

[Wullie]

You can wish her on me anyday.
Not her music though...

Anyway...... To be honest, I am not sure what you are trying to do here. Are you wanting the exact same as the image or not? That image is well off my screen in 1024 resolution so 800 is going to be off a lot more.

If you are not wanting the exact same, do you just want the layout but in a reduced size?

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.com

http://www.mailtosanta.co.uk

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change.
The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

 

[DiamondLil]

wullie - perv. is she even legal yet ??? must be the plaid skirt, reminiscent of catholic school, that throws everyone into a tizzy.....

well - specific problem is this : darned center cell will not stay at a height of 500 pixels.

yes, I need to follow that layout. the middle table is always supposed to be 800 x 500. the only thing that should *theoretically*change is the amount of green/teal around it on all sides and that is what would be dictated by the users resolution & browser window size.

is that clearer or am i still being fuzzy? ...feeling fuzzy today...must need more coffee.....

I'm not sure what you mean by the image being off screen, which image?

 

[Wullie]

LOL

Legal and only 3 years younger than me.

Anyway, I am even more confused now. The graphic I mentioned was the one you linked to in your original post. The size of that graphic is 1231 x 801 pixels.


The reason I am really confused is that when you set your middle table size to 800 x 500, all 800 x 600 users will see scrollbars as the side tables will break the screen.

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.com

http://www.mailtosanta.co.uk

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change.
The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

 

[DiamondLil]

ah, never thought she was that cute anyway....

let me clarify - yes I have to follow that layout but it does not have to be 1231x801 wide.

what 800 x 600 users should see is that image in the center but the green on both sides will have shrunk to just a hair on both sides (hence the % rather than specified widths) and yes, scrollbars....
nothing I can do about that one. but, like I said...not my layout.


They are considering a rework of the background so if I can offer a productive suggestion on how to handle it rather than what we are trying to do, they would consider it. Any suggestions?