You can overcome the possibility that some objects using Absolute Positioning might be hidden from certain users by using Relative Positioning instead – a method which, when combined with Relative Sizing, is referred to as “dynamic layout.” (For more information, see Dynamic Layout.)
When objects are positioned using Relative Positioning, the project’s target resolution is factored in to determine the position of objects relative to the edges of the browser window. That is, the target resolution guide border represents the inside edges of the browser window. Any position relative to the guide border will be appear relative to the browser window in the final page. The effect of Relative Positioning is that if the browser window is minimized or made smaller, the elements on the displaying page are “scrunched” together.
Relative horizontal Positioning can be made relative to the left, center or right of the page. Likewise Vertical positioning can be relative to the top, middle or bottom of the page.
If, for example, an object is assigned Relative Horizontal Positioning and is positioned in the center of the Work Window, it will appear in the center of the browser regardless of the browser’s actual resolution or size. Similarly, if an object is assigned Relative Vertical Positioning and is positioned halfway between the top and bottom edges of the Work Window, it will appear at the vertical center of the browser window regardless of the actual height of the browser.
You can assign Relative Horizontal and/or Vertical Positioning to an object using the Transformations Tab of the Object Editor dialog box or the Relative Horizontal Positioning and/or Relative Vertical Positioning buttons on the Align Bar. (For more information, see Object Editor Dialog Box and Align Bar.) Or, you can apply Relative Horizontal and/or Vertical Positioning settings globally to all objects in your project on the Project Target Options dialog box. This will set the default for all objects, so we don’t recommend it unless you are sure your want all new objects to have relative positioning. (For more information, see Project Target Options Dialog Box.)
If the object has other objects or background images behind it, care must be taken. Objects will render their own backgrounds unless a transparent image format is used. If the background is rendered in the image and the image is then repositioned, the background will no longer match.