How can I convert my web page from a fixed width layout to a fluid grid layout?

Question

I'm taking a web design class (I'm using Dreamweaver CS6, btw)  wherein the professor started us out building our websites in a fixed width layout but now I want to change my site into a fluid grid layout. My "site" so far is just one long page, and I've already designed it with fluid grid adjustments in mind (most things are centered  in the layout) so it shouldn't need excessive tweaking.
Is there a way to duplicate the site folder that holds my first page, re-open a new document in fluid, then copy the code in and tweak the width parameters for the different layouts?
Did I just answer my own question? Help - I am new at this!!
Thanks all,
KC

Answer 1

Herbert2001 wrote:
A bit off-topic, but Osgood: have you ever used SASS or LESS? When you are building your own grid systems it can save you a tremendous amount of time, and it's a lot of fun.
Take the following simple example - it generates all the 23 css classes automatically for a 12 grid system. And simply changing one variable allows you to create and calculate any number of columns!
//variables
$desktop: 1025px;
$large-columns: 12;
@media only screen and (min-width: $desktop) {
     //regular grid span classes
    @for $i from 1 through $large-columns {
        .span-large-#{$i} {
            width: percentage($i/$large-columns);
     // push classes
    @for $i from 1 through (($large-columns)-1) {
        .push-large-#{$i} {
            margin-left: percentage($i/$large-columns);
No, not explored it yet, and may never....I don't know. I don't really make much money out of web design. It's becoming more and more difficult to find the desire to learn new techniques when the opportunities aren't really there to put them into practice on as regular basis as I would like.  I've got  a very good handle on css, php, html, jQuery - I'm not sure I want to add another layer at the moment, given I'm never quite sure how long I will continue to 'bang my head against the wall' . I'm getting to the stage where I keep asking myself do I really need the problems associated with learning new stuff to the point of being comfortable with it if the financial rewards at the end don't equate to the efforts of learning it.
I don't really enjoy web development if truth is known. I come from a Graphic Design background which I much prefer but somehow got side tracked and pushed in this direction and there's no way back now, lol. Whilst I concede Web Development is much more exciting its also 100 times more complex/difficult and the skills needed are considerably more.
Your example looks interesting and I should think I could pick it up reasonably easily given I work with php which uses variables on a similar basis.