Create/Customize NavBar
This is where you choose the overall design of your NavBar's buttons.
You do not create the NavBar here. You type in the name for each individual button on your NavBar when you create/edit each TIER 2 page.
The NavBar buttons, or nav buttons, are graphical images. Basically, SBI! "glues" together each button's name and design to create an image. It then merges your NavBar on top of the Left Hand Side Image (one part of Site Elements)...
The Process
- Select Button Shape. All the buttons in the NavBar will have that shape.
- Select Button Color from the color palette.
- Select Image for Button Background (optional). This image will be underneath the typeface of all the buttons. This image sits on top of any Button Color you selected and is tinted by the Button Color choice.
- Select Typeface for the text of the buttons.
- Select Type Color from the palette.
- Choose any Special Effects for Type. Add a check for Drop Shadow, Emboss and/or Glow. Choose the corresponding size or glow strength.
- Choose MouseOver Movement. Select from Drop Shadow or Glow if you use it.
- Click on Preview NavBar to view what your NavBar will look like. Make any changes until you are satisfied.
- When you are satisfied with your NavBar, click on Customize NavBar button.
Using the tools provided, design your buttons to fit the overall theme of your site, and the mood that you want to create.
The button-creation process is simple...
1) Start by exploring the different options. Click on the Preview link to the right of each one to see its effects. Your goal is to create an easy-to-read NavBar.
2) Now that you know the range of design possibilities, follow each step in order on the tool page, selecting button shape, button background, typeface/color/special effects (for the label on the button), and mouseover usage (i.e., whether or not the button should change slightly when a visitor mouses over it).
Note: If you are using a predesigned style's Default NavBar (you will know this if the selection in Button Shape is on "Default"), you cannot change the "Button Color" or "Select an Image for the Button Background." In order to do so, select a different Button Shape, and then you can customize to your heart's content.
3) Regularly click on the Preview button at the bottom of the page to see what your changes look like overall, especially when adding special effects or a texture to the type.
Modify any step until you've got it "just right."
4) If all is OK, click on the Customize NavBar button. This will take you to a Success page.
5) From there, return to the Look & Feel Selector tool page. Click on the Preview button (in the Style that you are working on) to make sure you like the total "L&F" (Site Elements, Logo and NavBar). Satisfied? Click on the Select/Save this Style button to save changes and make them "go live" on the Web.
Tips
- Simplicity is the goal. Beginning designers often fall into the trap of confusing cool effects with design. Always remember to stay focused on the overall theme of your site content, and the impression that you want to make on your visitors.
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You can click on the color swatch to view the color palette. Click on it again to hide the palette.
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If you choose an "Image for Button Background," it will look different depending on the Button Color you choose.
- Use special effects to subtly enhance your NavBar. Limit the intensity of these effects (i.e., choose the smaller levels in the Amount menu) to avoid overpowering the typeface.
- If you find that some of your button names will not fit on the button, either shorten the name, or return here to choose a smaller typeface. Some fonts are larger than others. Note, however, that a smaller typeface will make it harder to read the buttons.
- Return at any time to make button modifications or even create a new design, if necessary.
- If you wish to change the order of your NavBar buttons, do this in the Site Navigation Options section of Site Central.