Menus - Smartscene Menus - Editing & Creating Menus

[CycleWriter]

It would be very nice if Ulead gave 10+ users a special pack of those wonderful templates we keep hearing about from 9...!

They have, and it only costs $39.95 US.

[roy wood]

[quote="erock1"] for more free menu templates to use in VS you can download the trial versions of all the video editing and authoring programs (Moviefactory, Workshop, VS9, etc.). Each of these free trial programs contain menu templates.

Do not install the programs. Just open the template folders and look for the menu templates. They all will have the .UFO extension.quote]

Hi all, how do I get into a download programme without installing it, if I right click on a download there's no explore option. Please.

[KimES]

I'm new to Ulead products and am currently trying-out the VS10 Plus trial. So far, I like it. Other programs I work in frequently are Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, MS Office Suite and various DVD burning programs.

Please help clarify the following questions. Any help greatly appreciated. My main issue is I would like to create additional SmartScene or Menu Templates if I purchase VS10 Plus or any of the other Ulead programs. I've been reading posts on this forum over the weekend (very helpful, thanks to everyone).

I've read the tutorials linked from several other posts regarding creating menus in PhotoImpact as .ufo format for use in VS10. Also downloaded Steve's tutorials. (Thanks Steve, very useful.)

Finally decided it's best to ask some direct questions.

1) What's the difference between SmartScene and Menu Templates? Are they interchangeable between Ulead programs?

2) In this message trial, Ron (vidoman) mentions being able to open .psp (Paint Shop Pro) files in PhotoImpact. Since I'm quite proficient in PSP, I'm thinking it would be easier/quicker for me to create designs in PSP, then open the files in PhotoImpact and save them in the proprietary .ufo format to import into the Ulead products. Will this work? Anyone already tried it and have advice?

I don't mind spending the $$ to buy whatever Ulead products. There's some decent specials/discounts currently being offered by Ulead. But I design a lot of graphics for web development. I already know that I'll want far more templates than the "stock" provided with the VS10 packages and it's add-ons. I'll need/want to make custom templates of my own designs to compliment website designs, "family" stuff, etc. At the same time, I'm very busy and don't want to learn PhotoImpact right away. If I could make the designs in PSP and just save the proper format with PI, things would be so much faster.

Yes, I'm trying to figure out the best way to have cake and at least eat part of it too. :-} There seems to be a need for a library of additional themes/templates/menus based on the posts on this forum. Thinking I might be willing to put together a free download site of these items if I can build my own layouts.

Thanks for reading this far - Kim E

[heinz-oz]

Hi Kim, you can't go wrong with the VS10+ and PI12 combo available here http://www.ulead.com/store/vs/runme.htm#special

Not only do you get VS10 plus but the latest edition of PhotoImpact 12 as well. Bundled with VS10Plus you will find Cool3D and PhotoImpact also has PhotoExplorer 8.6 and GifAnimator 5 bundled with it.

Just have a look at the Ulead web site for the other programs mentioned above. They are also available as stand alone programs. Each in its own right is worth the money but the combo on special now is unbeatable.

[CycleWriter]

Ulead User to User Web Board
*For discussions of Ulead products ONLY!
*Profanities and Offensive posts will be monitored and removed.
*Ulead Support is not obliged to answer in this forum.

[KimES]

Hi Heinz, thanks for the reply and link. They do have some very good specials running.

What I'm really trying to figure out is - If I make designs in PSP and save as .psp files, can the .psp(s) be opened in PI and then simply saved as .ufo files for use in the Ulead products?

I can do really nice things with PSP. Also already have a lot of graphics in .psp format. It would be easier for me to work in PSP until I get the time to learn PI later.

Thanks again - Kim

[heinz-oz]

There are some stringent requirements concerning the use and availability of the assets for the menu to work. Whether or not PSP can adhere to that and PI later interpret the PSP file structure correctly, I can't say. Download the trial of PI 12 and see what happens.

[CycleWriter]

Ulead User to User Web Board
*For discussions of Ulead products ONLY!
*Profanities and Offensive posts will be monitored and removed.
*Ulead Support is not obliged to answer in this forum.

Exactly what in my post was considered profanity or not related to Ulead products that led you to censor it? Or was it just because it was critical of Ulead?

[heinz-oz]

No, none of that, it was written in an offensive, non constructive way and from my view point didn't serve any other purpose than to put down the poster for even considering this product and made it Ulead's fault that you couldn't wait for a decent special to come along. Sorry if I offended you with editing your post but I would do it again. Fair criticism is one thing, your post was something else.

[sjj1805]

I haven't used paint Shop Pro but do have Adobe Photoshop.
I did an experiment of attempting to create the DVD Menu files with Adobe Photoshop and have published the results in this post:
TEST: PhotoImpact -v- Adobe Photoshop for creating DVD Menus for Ulead authoring programs.

The results of my tests show that it is possible to prepare a DVD Menu in Adobe Photoshop BUT you would need to bring it into PhotoImpact before you would get it to work as a DVD Menu.

I would anticipate that you could do the same with Paint Shop Pro or any other Photo Editor capable of working with layers.

[KimES]

Per your suggestion, Heinz, I did the PI12 trial download and installed on another machine. Don't want the "clutter" on this one (Dell XPS).

Result? PI12 can open the PSP layered files...Cool! From there, can just follow your PDF, Steve, on Making Custom DVD menus.

Back to one of my original questions - Is there a difference between SmartScene and DVD Menu Templates?

OK, believe this purchasing scenario offers the most for the money based on holiday specials at this page: http://www.ulead.com/events/xmas06/runme.htm#promo

If I'm overlooking something here, please say so.

Current week 'til 12/19:
79.99 - VideoStudio 10 Plus (Full Version Download)
with free downloads of DVD Menu Template Pack and Movie Wizard Template Pack

12/20-01/02:
69.99 - PhotoImpact 12 (Full Version Download)
with free downloads of VideoStudio Movie Wizard (although it's already in VS 10+) and Cool 3D

Total cost - $150

Think it's better to have the template bundles and get it all on download - as opposed to the boxed versions with blanket at same cost.

And if you give me 2-3 weeks to get past the holiday rush and practice a bit, believe I'll have some custom templates to share with anyone interested!

Thanks again, you're exceptionally helpful and generous with your hard earned knowledge - Kim

[CycleWriter]

No, none of that, it was written in an offensive, non constructive way

I think it's very constructive to point out how Ulead often ignores its users. And I said nothing offensive, unlike in other posts that have gone unedited.

...and from my view point didn't serve any other purpose than to put down the poster for even considering this product and made it Ulead's fault that you couldn't wait for a decent special to come along.

I have stated often that despite its warts, VS is probably the best editor available in its price range and above, to a degree. As for my not being able to wait, VS 10+ has been out for almost a year. How much longer should I have waited? I got my copy via an online special. Is it not fair to be disappointed at seeing a sale just weeks after purchase? My observation--that most big software sales preced a new version intro--is typical of VS and many other software developers.

Sorry if I offended you with editing your post but I would do it again. Fair criticism is one thing, your post was something else.

Please, try and explain what that "something else" was. I have no idea and would prefer not to repeating such a vile act that requires censoring.

[heinz-oz]

@KimES

I was referring to this one, the download is great value if you don't want the blanket

Unless, of course, you are not living in the US (you don't say)

[CycleWriter]

Oh, please, Heinz. It was an obvious joke at the expense of a ridiculous offer. Are potential VS10 users so impoverished that the bonus of a blanket will be the deciding factor on whether they upgrade or not? You should have taken my dig at that offer in the spirit that much of what I post is intended. Even when I'm truly upset at something I always try to interject a little sarcasm into my posts to take the edge off. You of all people should know that. Anyway, this is nothing to take so seriously. Carry on, and I'll try to be more sensitive to your delicate sensibilities in the future (see, there I go again! I just can't help myself).

[KimES]

Yep, living in the US. Added an image to my profile and web address. Need a smaller image, but will have to be tomorrow. 11:30 PM Sunday night here - got a huge Monday coming. Time to shut down.