Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) provides a robust and user-friendly web-based user interface (UI) for managing digital content and experiences. Understanding how to navigate and use the AEM UI efficiently is essential for content authors, administrators, and other users. In this tutorial, we will explore the various components and features of the AEM UI in detail.
Logging into AEM:
Before you can start navigating the AEM user interface, you need to log in. Here are the steps to log in:
Open a Web Browser: Open a modern web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, or Safari).
Enter the AEM URL: In the browser's address bar, enter the URL of your AEM instance. The URL typically looks like this:
http://[hostname]:[port]
Replace '[hostname]' with the actual hostname or IP address of your AEM server and '[port]' with the port number (e.g., 4502 for the author instance).
Log In: You will be presented with the AEM login page. Enter your username and password to log in. You should have been provided with these credentials during the setup of your AEM instance.
Navigating the AEM User Interface:
Once logged in, you'll find yourself in the AEM user interface. The interface consists of several key components and features:
Global Navigation Bar: The global navigation bar is located at the top of the AEM interface. It provides access to various AEM functionalities, including:
Home: Returns to the AEM home page.
Sites: Allows you to manage websites, templates, and content.
Assets: Provides access to the Digital Asset Management (DAM) system for managing images, videos, documents, and other assets.
Tools: Offers tools for managing workflows, users, and other administrative tasks.
Search: Enables you to search for content and assets within AEM.
Help: Provides access to documentation and support resources.
Sidekick (Author Environment): In the author environment, you'll find the Sidekick panel on the right side of the screen. The Sidekick provides tools and options for content creation, management, and page editing. It includes tabs for Components, Pages, Properties, and more.
Touch-Optimized UI (Author Environment): AEM also provides a touch-optimized UI for authoring content. You can toggle between the classic UI (Sidekick) and the touch-optimized UI using the "Switch to Touch-Optimized UI" button in the global navigation bar. The touch-optimized UI is designed for mobile and tablet use and offers a more modern and intuitive interface for content authors.
Sites Console: The Sites console is the central hub for managing websites, templates, and content structures. You can create and organize web pages, manage templates, and configure website properties.
Assets Console: The Assets console is where you manage digital assets such as images, videos, documents, and more. It provides features for uploading, organizing, and editing assets, including metadata and tags.
Content Finder: The Content Finder is a powerful search tool that allows you to search for content and assets across your AEM instance. It provides filters, sorting options, and quick access to search results.
Authoring and Editing: When you open a web page or content item for editing, you can use the authoring and editing tools available in the Sidekick or touch-optimized UI. These tools include the ability to add components, edit text, insert images, and preview changes before publishing.
Example: Creating a Web Page:
Let's walk through an example of creating a web page in AEM using the Sidekick in the classic UI:
Log In: Log in to your AEM instance as described earlier.
Navigate to the Website: Use the global navigation bar to access the "Sites" section. Navigate to the website where you want to create a new page.
Create a Page: In the Sites console, right-click on the location where you want to create the page and select "Create > Page."
Set Page Properties: Enter the page title, name, and select a template for the new page. Configure any additional properties as needed.
Edit the Page: After creating the page, you can edit its content by selecting it in the Sites console and clicking the "Edit" button. The Sidekick panel will provide tools to add components, edit text, and more.
Preview and Publish: Preview how the page will appear to users before publishing it. Once satisfied, you can publish the page to make it live.
Conclusion:
This tutorial has provided an in-depth overview of how to navigate the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) user interface. AEM's UI offers a wide range of tools and features for content creation, management, and editing. Understanding these components and their functions is essential for efficiently managing digital content and delivering compelling experiences to your audience.
