Overview of Page Layouts?Combined with master page to define the rendering of a content page
 Obtains master page from SPWeb.CustomMasterUrl
• Hosts field controls and Web Part zones
• Complies to the Page Layout content type
• Has an associated content type
 Dictates which content type the page layout is used for rendering
• Can bind multiple page layouts to content type
• Associated with exactly one content type
Page layouts live within the Master Page Gallery
 http://servername/_catalogs/masterpage
 Exists only in the top-level site within a site collection
• Upon site provisioning, page layout added to Master Page Gallery as GhostableInLibrary
 While living in the Master Page Gallery as uncustomized the page layout on the file system is used
Site Columns & Content Types In Publishing SitesSite columns & content types play a key role in Publishing sites
• Both are used to define schema for content pages
• Content types must inherit from the 
Page content type (which inherits from System Page)
 Go to the following location for basic information
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\TEMPLATE\FEATURES\PublishingResources\PublishingContentTypes.xml
 The article page layout with the following content type

• Page layouts must be associated with content types
Why site Column?Reusable column template for use within lists and content types
• Specify:
 Name & description
 Data type
 Site column group
• Scoped at the site level
 Available to child sites
• Adding to a list / content type creates a copy.
Create / manage many ways:
 Browser-based user interface
 SharePoint object model
 Feature XML 
• Features & object model provide most control
 Easy to version in virtually all source control systems
 Highest level of reuse
Creating Site Columns with Features

Wt is the Content Types?
Enable storage of different types of content in
same list or library
• Specify:
 Name & description
 Site columns, workflows, event receivers, policies, etc.
 Content type group
• Scoped at the site level
 Available to child sites
• Adding to a list creates a copy
Create / manage many ways:
 Browser-based user interface
 SharePoint object model
 Feature XML 
Creating Content Types with Features

Activate our feature..

After activation site columns and content types would appear like the below.

How to create a page layout using SPD2007?

Now you need to add some structure to this page. Cheat a bit by copying the contents of the ArticleLeft.aspx page layout and paste them into CusomPageLayout.aspx.
Drag and drop our site columns in a structured maner.Here I just drag n droping….


Wt are the difference b/w Field controls and WebParts?

I will try to explain how to deploy page layout through studio in future posts.
Thanks my WCM guru  and Ian  for giving support.