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However, Adobe's Spry framework for Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is the largest qualitative change within Dreamweaver CS3. This addition is a JavaScript library of code snippets that makes it easy to add in client-side behaviors. The library is broken into Spry Effects, which are animations such as image movements; Spry Data, which binds dynamic data to HTML; and Spry Widgets, which create interactive elements such as pop-up menus.
Experienced Dreamweaver users and even those getting started with Ajax coding should find using Spry elements similar enough to the process of adding other familiar elements to a Web page. Spry comes with some interface widgets, data connectors and objects, and a handful of special effects behaviors, such as Shake, Slide, and Squish. This relatively straightforward framework will allow rapid prototyping and development of rich Internet applications, but perhaps professional developers can get by without it. That said, those learning the baby steps of Web design should take a class or read some books before diving in. Dreamweaver's advanced features won't be intuitive for anyone who hasn't studied them first.
As for support, Dreamweaver CS3's Welcome screen offers links to Adobe Web pages for information, but not all of these pages were live at the time of this review. The application has an extensive in-program Help feature that allows for browsing and searching topics on all applications in the CS3 suite, and Help links to animated tutorials as well. Adobe also offers LiveDocs, online documentation with all the in-application data plus updated information and user forums. You'll receive two incidents of free installation help within 90 days of buying Dreamweaver CS3, and double that many calls if you purchased one of the Creative Suite packages. The rest of the support options and costs are not finalized yet. Live help has been pricey in the past; we'll update this review when we learn more details.
Overall, we don't recommend that most users to upgrade to the costly Dreamweaver CS3 as a standalone product. However, for those itching to benefit from the most seamless and feature-packed suite of interactive design tools on the market, the update makes a worthwhile component of the Creative Suite 3 packages shown in the chart below.
| Price: full | Price: upgrade | |
 Creative Suite 3 Master Collection |
$2,499 | $1,999 (from Studios, CS, or CS2); $1,399 (from two older suites) |
 Creative Suite 3 Design Premium |
$1,799 | $599 (from Studios, CS, or CS2); $1,599 (from individual apps) |
 Creative Suite 3 Design Standard |
$1,199 | $399 (from Studios, CS, or CS2); $899 (from individual apps) |
 Creative Suite 3 Web Premium |
$1,599 | $499 (from Studios, CS, or CS2); $1,399 (from individual apps) |
 Creative Suite 3 Web Standard |
$999 | $399 (from Studios, CS, or CS2); $799 (from individual apps) |
 Creative Suite 3 Production Premium |
$1,699 | $799 (from Studios, CS, or CS2); $1,199 (from individual apps) |
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- CSS,
- Adobe PhotoShop,
- Macromedia Inc.
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"THIS IS NO UPGRADE. Dreamweaver itself gets 7 stars, but I gave 4 for total lack of improvement."
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