Layers area special kind of HTML elements, which can be used as a container to hold other HTML elements and to show them dynamically using JavaScripts. We can stack more than one layer over another. One or more Layers can be made visible dynamically, by hiding others. But using Macromedia Dreamweaver you can do all this without even knowing JavaScript or coding.

The disadvantage with layers is, they can be viewed only with 4.0 and above browsers. Here in this tutorial let me assume that you are using 4.0 or above version of the browser.

In this tutorial we are going to use multiple layers stacked over another, and make it viewable, when the mouse is rolled over in an Image. In this case study I have taken 2 rollover images Image1, Image 2 and three layers:Layer1, Layer2 and Layer3.

When we mouse over on the Image1, the second layer will appear while Layer1 & Layer 3 will be hidden along with its content. Likewise for the Image 3, Layer1 and 2 will be hidden and only Layer3 will appear with its content. When we mouse out from the Images Layer 1 will come up again. To achieve this Follow the steps and enjoy!

1. Creating rollover Images:

First as I said let us create 2 Images,we can use Macromedia Fireworks to create the images, In our case I have designed 4 buttons; 2 for the up state and 2 for the down state. After desigining the buttons, open a new page in Dreamweaver, create a 2X1 table. Now Insert the images using, Insert>Interactive Images>Rollover Image. Browse and select the first one for the up state and the second one for the down state. ( I assume the images or in the proper folder). Now do it for the next Image, so that both the Images are in the first column of the table as shown in this example). Now it should look like this.

2. Placing Layers:

Open Insert>Layer and place the Layer1. Move the layer into the column2 of the table. Now you can write the content inside the Layer. Select the layer in the Properties Inspector and select Overflow as 'visible'. This makes this first layer as default layer and makes visible while the page is loaded.

Note down the position of the Layer(566px and 163px). Insert the second and third layers on the same position, so that they will sit over the first layer. Now insert the text on those layers. (Note: Due to the over lapping of layers the text may not be clear. So, You can place the layers at somewhere else, write down the text and then change the position of the layers to sit on the first layers position)

3. Changing the Layer properties:

Select Window>Layers. You will get the Layer Inspector, with all the three layer details. Select the Layer2 and Layer3 and If the eye is open click on it to close for both of them. In the properties Inspector you can see the OverFlow is selected as hidden for Layer2 and Layer3. This enables the Layer2 and 3 to be hidden while the page is loaded.

4. Adding Behaviors:

Now select the Image1 where we are going to add the dynamic Layer effects. Then Open Window > Behavior. You can see the Events and actions created by Dreamweaver for the Rollover Images which we did in the step1. Click on the button and select "Show-hide Layers". You will get this box to 'Show or Hide" the Layers.
Now do the following...
a. Select Layer1 than click on 'Hide'
b. Select Layer2 and click on 'Show' then,
c. Select Layer3 and click on 'Hide'.
This action will make the Layer1 and 3 to disappear and to show the Layer2 while you move your mouse over the Image1.

You can also see the new JavaScript events created by Dreamweaver in the Behaviors Inspector. Here the new onMouseOver and onMouseOut with Show-hide Layers as actions.

Note here, You can use other events also as you like. For example instead of onMouseOver you can use onClick. To do this you need to click on the tiny black, inverted arrow next to the event. Use this to select other events, ie OnClick, Down etc.,. At the foot of the list there is a category which allows you to choose which browsers to support, make sure a check is next to 4 and higher browsers. (Only after choosing the browser 4 or higher you will be able to see all the Events in a list)

Follow the step 4 by selecting Image2. Then, a.Select Layer1 than click on 'Hide'; b.Select Layer2 and click on 'Hide' then, c.Select Layer3 and click on 'Show'. This action will make the Layer1 and Layer2 to disappear and to show the Layer2 while you move your mouse over the Image1.

5. Bringing default layer again:

Now as a final step, you need to bring back the Layer1 when you move your mouse out of the Image(Or when you mouse away from the images at somwhere on that page). Select the Image1 and click on the button and select "Show-hide Layers". You will get this box to 'Show or Hide" the Layers.
Now do the following...
a. Select Layer1 than click on 'Show'
b. Select Layer2 and click on 'Hide' then,
c. Select Layer3 and click on 'Hide'.

This action will make the Layer2 and Layer3 to disappear and to show the Layer1 while you move your mouse out of the Image1. Also do not forget to change the Events to onMouseOut.

Repeat step 5 with Image2 also. Now you should get the Behavior Inspector like this Image, showing all the Events for both Image1 & Image2.

Finally let us test it. If everything is fine, It should work as shown in the the demo. Also click here to see how we have used in our site.

If you find this article, write to the author at Benny@macronimous.com Your suggestion to improve this article are welcome. You can also write about your design and development needs.