Changing the graphic that highlights the DVD chapters

[dsegarra]

Hi folks, stupid question but I can't find the answer in the manual. I'm trying to change the graphic on the DVD menu that highlights the chapter your selecting with the remote. The one I have and hate is this little squiggle that moves with the direction arrows on the remote. I'd like to change the graphic to something more along the theme of my DVD. If there is no direct way to do this does anybody know what folder it is in then. I've clicked just about everything in the menu and can't seem to change that one item.

In some themes it's a squiggle, another a feather etc..

Thanks

[dsegarra]

I think the Squiggle may be a film strip graphic, still can't figure out where these graphics are or how to change them.

Thanks

[sjj1805]

Take a look at this tutorial
Authoring a DVD

[dsegarra]

Ahh, looks like I have to download Photo impact. It seems it is the UFO files.

I did not see that in your very detailed (thank you) tutorial, but I realized it after finding your tutorial on making menus from scratch.

I hate to have to buy another program to simply do this, it would be nice if we could simply change the thumbnail highlight graphic like all the others.

Thanks

[dsegarra]

I downloaded photo impact browsed the UFO files and I still can't find it.

Here is a pic of the squiggle I'd like to change:



I used layout 05vs_sceb04 if that's any help.

Thanks

Dan

[sjj1805]

Aha, THAT squiggle!

That is your Chapter/Video thumbnail. To change it look at
Create a Ulead VideoStudio 9 Training Video. and scroll down to the heading
Changing The Thumbnail

[dsegarra]

Aha, THAT squiggle!

That is your Chapter/Video thumbnail. To change it look at
Create a Ulead VideoStudio 9 Training Video. and scroll down to the heading
Changing The Thumbnail

Thanks Steve but actualy it's not the thumbnail I want to change (I figured that part out) it's the little squiggle. The squiggle is not part of my thumbnail its an extra graphic. When you use the remote on a DVD (the direction arrows on the remote) that little squiggle hops around and highlights the thumbnail letting you know that is the active one. It is similar to the Navigation buttons but does not seem to be part of the UFO file.

[sjj1805]

In that case what you are looking at is the DVD Menu Thumbnail which should be hidden but is obviously being displayed in your case.

Open the UFO file with PhotoImpact and then open the DVD Menu Plug In
Effect | DVD Menu | DVD Menu Plug in

Go to the third tab "Preview and Export".
At the bottom right you will see the Template Thumbnail and a tick box to update the Template thumbnail. You then click the Export button to save your changes.

The Template Thumbnail is the item that you see in the DVD Menu Library of VideoStudio and other Ulead authoring programs.

[dsegarra]

O.K it seems we're homing in on it. I am using the trial version of photoimpact, can you tell me which plug in I need to download and where.

I'm gonna change that dam squiggle if it's the last thing I do! LOL

Thanks

[sjj1805]

All you need to know is in here:
Tutorial: PI 11 creating DVD Menu from scratch

[dsegarra]

Steve actualy it's not the thumbnail its a graphic that moves to each thumbnail via the DVD remote to select that thumbnail. On some menus its a feather, on another an arrow, this basic one is a squiggle. How does one for example change the feather to a squiggle or the squiggle to a feather (or something else)? Also if you hide the thumbnail and it is invisible to the final product you can still move the squiggle to it over the invisible thumbnail and select it (which is cool because you can add hidden special easter eggs).

So it appears the squiggle is some extra graphic that is in some related file somewhere.

[Black Lab]

Each template has its own set of "pointers", whether it be a feather, arrow, or squiggle. I think you would do better by creating your own template with your own version of the squiggle, than by trying to hunt down the offending squiggle. Squiggle, squiggle, squiggle...I like that word.

[sjj1805]

We are getting there albeit slowly.
I now know what it is you are talking about, it is termed a highlight image.
Instead of the Thumbnail or frame changing colour or transparancy to show it is the active item, you get an image appear - in your case the thing you call a squiggle.

The best answer when dealing with VideoStudio is to do as BlackLab suggests and make your own DVD Menu from scratch as per the tutorial I previously mentioned.

Alternatively try the 30 day Free trial of DVD Workshop 2 - this also allows you to create a DVD Menu from scratch. It also contains several Menu Templates - just like VideoStudio, however you can customize those templates far more with DVd Workshop that you can with VideoStudio.

Put simply VideoStudio is mainly designed to be a Video Editor and has an authoring module bolted on for completeness. DVD Workshop is a purpose built DVD authoring tool.