Hints on how to do background

[DimFish]

Hi there,

I'm a bit confused. I've just done a quick mock-up of a new site I want to do in CSS, and I'm not sure what's the ideal method to create the kind of background I'd like. Here's kind of what I want to accomplish:
http://www.diminishingfish.com/nuts/stride_draft2.jpg

I've seen this sort of thing done lots of times. What's the best way?

I know how to, for example, have a vertical gradient bg by having a tall thin image repeated-x, and also how to do a drop shadow up the sides by creating an image in Pshop and repeating this-y.....but how do I get both, and how would I go about have a drop shadow run across the top of the main white content at the top of the page???

Brain is misty... : |

Thanks for all help anyone can give.

Andrew.

[zro@rtv]

if you know all that other stuff, then i think the only part you're not thinking of is using nested divs (or whatever) and perhaps png alpha transpearancy (or regulat gif style...) ....but careful, its fun on IE{v:ill;}

[pjleonhardt]

Use 2 images. One on the background, and one on the div containing the content that you want the dropshadow on.