Templates

Exporting and Importing

Okay, let's say that you want to edit (or import) your site on another computer.  Or, you may just want to back up your site in case your computer decides to byte the dust.  Normally, whenever you want to transfer a file, you would just save the file to a disk and then open it with the same program on the other computer.  It isn't that easy with Fusion.  Basically, the concept is still the same, only how the file is saved, is very important.

When you make a new web site in Fusion, the file is saved as a .nod file.  For example, mysite.nod  But, in order for you to share (or import) a NetObjects Fusion site file with other computers and/or web designers - the file needs to be saved as a Template.  This Template will have the file extension .nft  For example, mysite.nft

You cannot (I know, I used to think you could) just copy a .nod file to another computer and open it.  The .nod file does not contain the necessary files (graphics, style, etc.) that you created.  However, a .nft (NetObjects Fusion Template) does in fact have all the necessary files for your site. 

In order to make a Template of your site, you need to export the site as such.  Whenever you export a site as a template, all the assets (pictures, links, graphics, etc.) are copied as well as the SiteStyle files.  Basically, a .nft file will contain everything you need to keep your site intact.  This way, you can share it with another computer or import it into another web site.  And here is how you do it:

1

  
  Creating a file folder

Create a new folder on your hard drive or disk.

This will be a place you can store the template.  Use Windows Explorer or NT File Manager.  If you already have a location (folder) to save to - then you're good to go.  If your web site is called "MySite" then you should make the file you create on your drive or disk the same. 

For this tutorial, we will assume you are saving the file to your hard drive.  So the folder will need to be created there.

2

  
  Making a template file from your site

Open NetObjects Fusion and the site you want to create a template for.

Go to Site view.

You can only export a file as a Template from Site view.

From the File menu, choose Export as Template.

After that, a "Browse to Folder" window appears. 

Navigate to and select the folder you created for the Template.   Click OK.

Fusion will then create a template and store it in a subfolder of the folder you selected.

This will be the file you made earlier - only now it has the Template inside.  If you open this file, you will notice 3 things:

The file with the NetObjects Fusion logo is the .nft file.  The other files contain the elements needed to complete your site (graphics, SiteStyles etc.).  Make sure that whenever you transfer the template you transfer the "MySite" file.

3

  
  Transferring a Template

So far you have saved the Template of your site to your hard drive.  Now you want to put the Template onto a different computer so that you or someone else may continue to edit the site.

Save the Template onto a disk or send it over the Internet.

Your goal is simply to get the file onto the other computer.  If you send it over the Internet, you might want to upload it to your server and have it downloaded to the other computer.  I would zip the file if you have a lot of graphics and pages on your site. 

If you plan to put the template onto a disk that you can take with you- use a Zip drive or other large capacity storage system.

4

  
  Importing a Template

After you have the file on the other computer, this is what you need to do in order to open the template:

Start NetObjects Fusion.

It doesn't matter what site you open with right now (unless you are importing the Template directly into another site, in which case - open the site you want to Import into first).  We'll just assume you are opening the Template as a new site.

Select "From AutoSite or Template file"

This brings up the "Select a Template File" window

Navigate to the template folder and click on the file, open it and select the file with the .nft extension.

Now you will be asked to enter a name for the site.

Type in a name, most likely "MySite," then click OK.

The site will then become a regular .nod page on your computer and you will now have the whole site, graphics and all.

If you want to Import the site into an already existing site - open the site then, from the File menu, you would select Insert Template and go from there.

 

That's it for Templates - Have Fun!

About the Author Rick Tew is the founder of Tew Ryu the Martial Science.  His programs focus on three areas of human development: Mind- personal development seminars Body- physical energy through martial arts  Spirit- team travel and adventure When he isn't busy with the above, he enjoys expressing his creative talents through writing and web site creation.