MASTER PAGES - HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT?

I am currently helping a client rework a large website and with each page I reformat I curse loudly and lament the absence of master pages. I know that Xara do not see the need for these but if I had the ability to create a series of master pages I would be done with this project now instead of only halfway through.

If anybody is interested. Setting up master pages with all the main elements in place lets the designer create a site with several different page layouts with all the main elements in place for each layout. So you create a new page and specify a master page layout and then add your content. Or you select an existing page and change the master page and all the elements, header, footer, banner, navigation changes.

Xara has argued in the past that this is what repeating objects do. And if your entire website has the same layout for each page, then this is fine. But if you have a need for many different page layouts then it is a real chore making all the pages in that layout format the same.

Anybody else agree that we need master pages? And not just for websites but print documents as well.

Hi,
Would be a Tremendous advantage in my opinion..
Jim

@GaryP, if you de-construct how Xara builds up the Local Designs gallery, it would not be beyond Xara's skill to create a Custom folder with a dozen Custom_nn.xar files that are blank, and which you could update to reflect your Master page collection.

A bit Heath Robinson but worthy of consideration.

Acorn

+1

When you duplicate a page, isn't that nearly a master page ?
Perhaps if we could set some pages to "do not publish" ( like you can in Netobjects Fusion ) , then you could design a few "Masters" at the start of a project that could be duplicated when needed and wouldn't get in the way when publishing.

- Andy

Yes, Andy. But it would be easier to select from a drop down list.

I come from a long (8 years is a long time in internet years) association with Serif and their WebPlus software. There have only been two times I tried something else: WPX6 was a catastrophe for me, so purchased XWD 10 Premium when I could handle no more ... and now that Serif is discontinuing their web design software, I'm looking for a replacement thus XWD365.

Most of the differences are not a problem for me. Kinda prefer building my site with child pages, but the visual clues aren't necessary. I can just create my own navbars in XWD with a structure that pleases me so no issue there. Some other things are different, but all in all I would say equal but different with one exception: Master Pages!

Master Pages was what attracted me to Serif to begin with. Had been using Frontpage, ******* HTML editor, Eversoft, and Notepad. None of these had master pages in the versions I had. It made the job easier and sometimes more fun just designing master pages.

For one of my sites I had 4 master pages ... not including one that was intentionally blank which made it totally customizable for any use. I do a radio station which has changed over the years but at one time I had:

(MP 1) The landing page had some elements sized larger in the header, along with animation.

(MP 2) Next there was the standard header that was designed for this site, Covered most of the pages with the following exceptions:

(MP 3) One of the local DJs had her pages slightly altered from the rest of the site's header because she was into Classic Rock as opposed to the stations usual "Lite Rock".

(MP 4) Blank master page for their "photo albums". After any remote broadcast, they wanted an "album" created and posted with all content related only to that remote.

(MP 5) For their news page there were special considerations for advertising as well as the news copy which they were able to edit.

It would definitely be great to see Xara add Master Pages. It is an issue on the other forum I participate in, and is probably keeping some away, along with the navbar issue noted above.

Master pages are a "no-brainer". It astounds me that Xara can't see that.

Dijenga - Well articulated and summed up.

Thanks, but just curious why Sourcetec's HTML Editor's name has been changed to ******* ....

Did they act ugly to someone, or did I violate one of the word filters?