What's the deal with the PhotoImpact Plug-in for creating menus for DVD Workshop? Whenever I create a menu and export it, I can open it up inside DVDWS @, but when I do, the locations of chapter thumbnails, and navigation buttons end up scrambled all over the place, some on top of others, etc.
How do I keep these objects from moving? So far this has been useless to me.
BTW: The layout of this Web Board is a huge improvement over the old one. Nice job!!
DVD Menu Plug-In Problems
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carvemeister
I am using DVD Workshop Express 2, and PhotoImpact 10. I can reload the screwy template back into PhotoImpact, and it looks fine. It even looks fine in the small thumbnail pic within DVDWS, on the left side, when I first import it. But as soon as its placed as an actual menu, the scene placeholders shift to the lower right and the title moves to the upper left . My actual title object even changes from "The Intelisano Family" to "My Title."
Here's a screen shot of what happens when I use my menu within DVDWS:
And here's a screen shot of my original menu before Export:
I don't understand why these objects are shifting. Any ideas? Thanks!
Here's a screen shot of what happens when I use my menu within DVDWS:
And here's a screen shot of my original menu before Export:
I don't understand why these objects are shifting. Any ideas? Thanks!
A couple of things to check.
1 Read this post on the old forum. It refers to something called "Load Menu Template File" It is a function in the full DVDWS. You may have to do something similar in the Express version.
http://news.ulead.com:8080/read?91883,75
2 Load the template into PhotoImpact and look at the layers or objects defined on the right side of the screen. There should be one that looks like a miniature template of the menu. You may have to click the little eye to make it visible. See if it looks the same as the main image. Also right click and select properties and look at the name. Load one of the standard templates that came with DVDWS Express and compare the names of the objects in the templates. Are they the same. I had to rename the object to the naming convention in DMF2 for the DMF3 template to work correctly. see if this works.
If you don't have success in locating the names, see if you can PM me with attachments of the template that you created and one of the standard ones. I'll take a look and see what I can see. I'm not an expert but I'll see if I can help.
1 Read this post on the old forum. It refers to something called "Load Menu Template File" It is a function in the full DVDWS. You may have to do something similar in the Express version.
http://news.ulead.com:8080/read?91883,75
2 Load the template into PhotoImpact and look at the layers or objects defined on the right side of the screen. There should be one that looks like a miniature template of the menu. You may have to click the little eye to make it visible. See if it looks the same as the main image. Also right click and select properties and look at the name. Load one of the standard templates that came with DVDWS Express and compare the names of the objects in the templates. Are they the same. I had to rename the object to the naming convention in DMF2 for the DMF3 template to work correctly. see if this works.
If you don't have success in locating the names, see if you can PM me with attachments of the template that you created and one of the standard ones. I'll take a look and see what I can see. I'm not an expert but I'll see if I can help.
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carvemeister
Thanks a lot for the help. Still no luck though. I read that prior post, and that was not a part of my problem. I get the same shifting of objects no matter what I try with this particular menu. The small thumbnail template seems OK.phd wrote:... "Load Menu Template File" ...You may have to do something similar in the Express version.
http://news.ulead.com:8080/read?91883,75
2... There should be one that looks like a miniature template of the menu...see if it looks the same as the main image...
Here's a shot of my object layers.:
The naming convention issue is very confusing. I'll have to look more at that, but it wouldn't seem to be the cause so far.
I will take you up on your offer to look at my .ufo file. I'll attach it to an email and send it to you. Maybe it will open for you properly in DVD Workshop. That would help narrow down the trouble.
Thanks!
Some of the naming conventions have to do with the DVD creation standard. I guess the rest have to do with Ulead's selection of names.
The object you had highlighted in the post was the difference in making it work between DMF2 and DMF3. Renaming it in object properties.
For others who have an earlier version of PhotoImpact, I had also been successful with modifying templates in PI7 before upgrading to PI10 following the original suggestions from Jerry Jones and another post. I created one in DMF using the "customize feature. Find one with the number of buttons you like. Rearrange and resize the objects accordingly and save.
Sent you an private email and I'll look at the templates when I receive them.
Pat
The object you had highlighted in the post was the difference in making it work between DMF2 and DMF3. Renaming it in object properties.
For others who have an earlier version of PhotoImpact, I had also been successful with modifying templates in PI7 before upgrading to PI10 following the original suggestions from Jerry Jones and another post. I created one in DMF using the "customize feature. Find one with the number of buttons you like. Rearrange and resize the objects accordingly and save.
Sent you an private email and I'll look at the templates when I receive them.
Pat
OK, Here's what I've found so far which just confirms what I've seen.
That Menu Template Plug-in does not appear quite ready for primetime.
It only gives an option for DVD Workshop2 and does not make compliant objects nor place items in compliant locations for the other Ulead products.
I have DMF2, DMF3 and DWS2.
DMF3
Templates I created by the plug-in work well in DMF3 with all items showing up in the "TV safe" area. Your created template background picture was shorter on the top and bottom, looking like a letterbox movie. Your Main text was all the way on top and off the background picture
DWS2
I loaded your created template and my created template into DWS2. Mine displayed OK but some items were stretched slightly out of the "TV safe" area. It appeared to be slightly expanded by about 10-15%. Your title text was extremely out and shifted to the upper left. Chapter thumbnails overlaid the navigation buttons.
Template Thumbnail Object naming conventions within the different Menu Templates varied:
Yours created by plug-in
IMG_TEMPLATE /VER:2.0,MENU,SCENESEL /PRODUCT:DWS2 /NAME:Template name
DWS Express template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:C02 late01 /NavHL:CP1 /NumHL:CP2 /FrameHL:CP1
DMF3
Original template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:Template01 /NavHL:CP1 /FrameHL:CP1
Created by me in the plug-in but works in DMF3
IMG_TEMPLATE /VER:2.0,MENU,SCENESEL /PRODUCT:DWS2 /NAME:Template name
DMF2
Original template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:Clas01 /FrameHL:CP1 /NavHL:CP1
Created by menu plug-in but renamed to work with DMF2
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:Cool01 /SceneHL:I /NavHL:CP2
DWS2
Still template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:General 01 /NavHL:CP1 /SceneHL:I /TextHL:CP1 /NumHL:CP1
Motion template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:General /NavHL:CP3 /SceneHL:I /NumHL:cP1
Bottom line for DVD Workshop Express. It doesn't create the correct naming conventions nor place objects in compliant locations.
The quickest and easiest way for you to create a compatible template in DWS Express is probably this way.
1 Create a basic template within DWS Express or copy an existing original template that has the correct number of thumbnails that you want:
2 Load the UFO into PI
3 Load your new background image
4 Resize and reposition your thumbnails, navigation buttons, text, etc.
5 Modify the fonts as to your needs.
6 Save it in PI but don't use the plug-in. Just a regular save.
This willl probably create a compliant template for DWS Express. It works for DMF2 & DMF3 with both PI7 & PI10.
Being that I am fairly new to DWS2, I haven't experimented much with the template plug-in for DWS2 files yet. If I do find the magic recipe for the plug-in with DWS2, I'll let you know. For now the above steps should get you most of the way there for a "Custom" template. Let me know how it works.
Sorry I couldn't do more.
That Menu Template Plug-in does not appear quite ready for primetime.
It only gives an option for DVD Workshop2 and does not make compliant objects nor place items in compliant locations for the other Ulead products.
I have DMF2, DMF3 and DWS2.
DMF3
Templates I created by the plug-in work well in DMF3 with all items showing up in the "TV safe" area. Your created template background picture was shorter on the top and bottom, looking like a letterbox movie. Your Main text was all the way on top and off the background picture
DWS2
I loaded your created template and my created template into DWS2. Mine displayed OK but some items were stretched slightly out of the "TV safe" area. It appeared to be slightly expanded by about 10-15%. Your title text was extremely out and shifted to the upper left. Chapter thumbnails overlaid the navigation buttons.
Template Thumbnail Object naming conventions within the different Menu Templates varied:
Yours created by plug-in
IMG_TEMPLATE /VER:2.0,MENU,SCENESEL /PRODUCT:DWS2 /NAME:Template name
DWS Express template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:C02 late01 /NavHL:CP1 /NumHL:CP2 /FrameHL:CP1
DMF3
Original template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:Template01 /NavHL:CP1 /FrameHL:CP1
Created by me in the plug-in but works in DMF3
IMG_TEMPLATE /VER:2.0,MENU,SCENESEL /PRODUCT:DWS2 /NAME:Template name
DMF2
Original template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:Clas01 /FrameHL:CP1 /NavHL:CP1
Created by menu plug-in but renamed to work with DMF2
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:Cool01 /SceneHL:I /NavHL:CP2
DWS2
Still template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:General 01 /NavHL:CP1 /SceneHL:I /TextHL:CP1 /NumHL:CP1
Motion template
IMG_TEMPLATE /Name:General /NavHL:CP3 /SceneHL:I /NumHL:cP1
Bottom line for DVD Workshop Express. It doesn't create the correct naming conventions nor place objects in compliant locations.
The quickest and easiest way for you to create a compatible template in DWS Express is probably this way.
1 Create a basic template within DWS Express or copy an existing original template that has the correct number of thumbnails that you want:
2 Load the UFO into PI
3 Load your new background image
4 Resize and reposition your thumbnails, navigation buttons, text, etc.
5 Modify the fonts as to your needs.
6 Save it in PI but don't use the plug-in. Just a regular save.
This willl probably create a compliant template for DWS Express. It works for DMF2 & DMF3 with both PI7 & PI10.
Being that I am fairly new to DWS2, I haven't experimented much with the template plug-in for DWS2 files yet. If I do find the magic recipe for the plug-in with DWS2, I'll let you know. For now the above steps should get you most of the way there for a "Custom" template. Let me know how it works.
Sorry I couldn't do more.
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carvemeister
Wow!! Thanks for the great effort, Pat! I think you're right - that plug in is still a bit funky. I have already begun to try your workaround by modifying an existing menu from DVDWS instead of creating one from scratch.phd wrote:
Bottom line for DVD Workshop Express. It doesn't create the correct naming conventions nor place objects in compliant locations.
The quickest and easiest way for you to create a compatible template in DWS Express is probably this way.
1 Create a basic template within DWS Express or copy an existing original template that has the correct number of thumbnails that you want:
2 Load the UFO into PI
3 Load your new background image
4 Resize and reposition your thumbnails, navigation buttons, text, etc.
5 Modify the fonts as to your needs.
6 Save it in PI but don't use the plug-in. Just a regular save.
This willl probably create a compliant template for DWS Express. It works for DMF2 & DMF3 with both PI7 & PI10.
So far, it looks like this will work, from what I've done so far. I guess it's the only way until they fix that plug-in. I'm not sure why I haven't heard any other complaints about it though. The most important thing is that you seem to have isolated the problem for me.
Thanks a lot for the help!!
You're welcome. I'm glad I could help.
The only reason I upgraded from 7 to 10 was for that plug-in.
3 Items that would make that plug-in great:
1. A pull-down menu to allow all the Ulead programs to use it rather than just DVDWS (for which it doesn't create a totally compliant menu, BTW.) This way people using DMF, DVDPS, DWS Express etc. could also use it rather than the cobbles I've listed.
2. A WYSIWYG display so out of compliance text, buttons etc. are displayed as such rather than leaving you scratching your head.
3. A TV safe marquee that you could set for PAL or NTSC so you really could determine WYSIWYG.
The only reason I upgraded from 7 to 10 was for that plug-in.
3 Items that would make that plug-in great:
1. A pull-down menu to allow all the Ulead programs to use it rather than just DVDWS (for which it doesn't create a totally compliant menu, BTW.) This way people using DMF, DVDPS, DWS Express etc. could also use it rather than the cobbles I've listed.
2. A WYSIWYG display so out of compliance text, buttons etc. are displayed as such rather than leaving you scratching your head.
3. A TV safe marquee that you could set for PAL or NTSC so you really could determine WYSIWYG.