DVD Menu Qs re PhotoImpact

[richspicko]

Hello - after searching and experimenting I have a few questions about creating custom DVD menus with PhotoImpact.

- I'm using VideoStudio 10 and PhotoImpact 12
- I've read sjj's great tutorials (although I can't seem to find the "modifying existing menus" one, can only find the "start from scratch" one)
- I'm trying to build customized thumbnail menus. Starting with existing and tweaking.

Qs

1) While I'm experimenting, can I leave videostudio open and just re-open the "create disc" menu to try my new menu? That is, when does VS open/read the UFO files? (Do I have to close VS completely between menu versions)

2) Having color problems. I create HL images, but when I preview the menu, they are a different color than I made them in PI. ??? I suspect it may have something to do with the /NavHL:CP1 type stuff I'm seeing in object properties?

3) What do these parameters mean? I'm suspecting they somehow indicate default highlights?

4) Does VS highlight the FRAMEs by default if you do not specify a HL image? How are the colors chosen?

5) Does VS expect the menu objects to be image and text objects as opposed to pathy objects? (i'm thinking yes)

In summary, I guess I'm still just missing how highlighting works in terms of color specification, frames and images. I'm suspecting I need to understand the object parameters better. Sorry if this is already well-covered and I've just missed it. I'll continue searching.

Thanks in advance!

- Rich

[richspicko]

OK - some things are becoming clear. I just spent some time with the plug-in and tutorial and found where the CPs are set up. I figured there had to be something like that but couldn;t figure out where they lived.

Not sure if this will answer ALL my Qs, but this has been greatly de-mystified.

So is it possible to alter the CPs w/o using the plugin? Just curious...

- rich

[sjj1805]

The other tutorial you were looking for is:
VS9 & PI11: Creating a Custom DVD Menu Layout

Regarding when VideoStudio recognises the changed DVD Menu, you need to exit the [Create Disc] mode (no need to completely exit VideoStudio) when you then go back into [Create Disc] mode your modified template will be recognised.

You can set 3 colour combinations for buttons & highlight images on your DVD Menu. Normally you only use one of those combinations, but imagine that you have a background that is light in some places and dark in others, or perhaps part of it is red and another part blue.

Using one colour combination may be fine in the light or the red area, but perhaps it does not stand out in the drk or the blue area. Here you would use one of the other two available colour combinations.

Hope that makes sense.