Hi, Can someone tell me the difference between VSD and the Visual Editor that comes within CC HTML Editor? Are they the same program, or can one do something the other cannot? Thank you.

Per Scott ( a while back )
There are two different applications you can use to create your site: HTML Editor and Visual Site Designer.

The main difference between HTML Editor and Visual Site Designer is access to the raw HTML. Visual Site Designer will generate all the necessary HTML for you and allow you to focus on the design of your page. You can insert text, images, links, etc. and drag them anywhere on the page. You can even create shapes such as rectangles and circles, or add effects like glow, bevel, and shadow. Because everything is stored in the VNU file for Visual Site Designer, it cannot open preexisting HTML files to edit.

The HTML Editor, on the other hand, can open any HTML file and edit it with either the Code Editor or Visual Editor. The Visual Editor will also allow you to insert text, images, links, etc., but you cannot create shapes or effects within the program. Those would need to be done outside the software and inserted as images. Because the HTML Editor edits one file at a time, as opposed to the entire site, you have more control over things like filenames, directory structure, etc., and how these elements are uploaded to the server.

One thing to keep in mind, regarding HTML Editor Visual Editor, you CANNOT switch back and forth between the "Visual Mode" and "Code Mode"!!! This causes strange code to appear in your code file, and hair loss (it's the reason Scott is as he is, hehe)...

Of course, this WON'T be an issue for long, as it (Visual Mode) will not likely be in the next release of HTML Editor.

My suggestion, is to download VSD and give it a whirl. You'll have FULL access to the program during the trial period, so what have you got to lose?

Bruzer, Phil, thanks, that clarifies. I have a full copy of VSD, but as Bruzer can attest, I made a mess of it and had to look at the code. I downloaded the free HTML Editor and saw the Visual Editor option so was just curious.

I do wish I had learned some basic html so I wouldn't be such a knucklehead. However, with your guys' help, the site is coming along nicely.

Merry Christmas! Stan

VSD is definitely the way to go but you have to be careful to not test your limits on VSD versus another fully fledged web design package.

Don't over-commit yourself like I almost did. I refused the customer a few times because I was not sure VSD nor myself could do the perfectism required. Rather than losing a client it took me two weeks to get myself mentally in a mode to max out VSD in layout and design and stretch the advanced text thinking.

For example - this business website beta
http://www.BebesBySayuri.com/Bebes2012

Though not complete until Jan 2012 it is fully VSD and just about broke the VSD back in terms of layering, fonts, etc, ... rest assured, VSD made the cut but I had to double my price for the design and make sure the customer understood this was a fully graphical website and fully SEO enriched.

Enjoy VSD. I do.