Working with DVD Menus

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:50 pm

do you know if there's a way of adding a text box to a menu screen?

You would have to follow John's advice of using PhotoImpact to add navigation buttons or text boxes.

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:51 pm

John,

By George, I think you've got it! I think you understand what I'm trying to do perfectly - sorry about the confusion.

Trevor's given me a pretty good solution (see his posting) but I'd be interested in getting my hands on PhotoImpact and trying what you suggest. I've taken a look at the Corel website but for unknown reasons can't access that webpage right now. Do you know, is PhotoImpact a freebie or do I need to pay for it?

I have to add though that the symbols for Nav buttons that VS uses are universally accepted standards that everybody understands whatever is their first language

Point taken but I think DVD menus are normally text (you can click on) OR icons you can click on - rarely a mixture of the two on the same screen.

Black Lab: it's 42. And far easier than working with VS!

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:01 pm

Do you know, is PhotoImpact a freebie or do I need to pay for it?

Well, it looks like neither.

PhotoImpact is no longer listed under their products on Corel.com.

Black Lab: it's 42. And far easier than working with VS!

Huh?

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:31 pm

Hi Max

When we create the menu structure we have three gallery options to choose from.
It may help if we knew which template you are using. (although i only have VS 10)
The earlier versions of VS only had the ¡¥Thumbnail¡¦ option, this is probably the easiest to understand and explain.

The thumbnail you see represent the chapter points.
If you press the remote control play button the dvd will play from the beginning.
or
Select a chapter point using the arrow keys on your remote control, the selected thumbnail being highlighted, usually with a different colour border. Play will start from this chapter.

The text you see is a description of the chapter point, you change/edit the text. You can also hide the text if you don¡¦t want it to show.(right click the text).(hide object)
I find I need the text as the thumbnail does not always describe the chapter.
You can customise the page allowing for more thumbnails per page.

The text My Title is usually used as a main title for your DVD.

You can test the menu structure using the remote Control icon within the burner module.

The other Gallery templates (smart scenes)may be a little more involved, limiting the menu pages to 3 text links
This means you may have to create more chapter pages.
The Text and Thumbnail menu types allow for 8 links per page.

Adding additional text boxes is not an option within VS, you would have to use Photo Impact to create your own menu structure,( that way you could have your cake and eat it)

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:36 pm

maxfrost01 wrote:Hi, Mitchell65

Thanks for trying to help.

I took a look at the link but it leaves me no wiser.

I know how to use the 'Print Screen' facility but have no idea how to get from that point to saving it on a "publicly accessible web server". Where on earth do I find one of those? [/img]

You probably have a host already. Have a look at your ISP (who provides your broadband service) and see if they give you some space where you can create a simple webpage.
You will need Photo Impact to add a text box to your menu template as that is the program the menus are created in.

Post by **Ron P.** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:37 pm

Max,

You can still get your hands on PI 12 by going to Corel's web site, clicking on the Store then the Catalog. It shows up there.

Corel UK Store Catalog PI 12

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:43 pm

Hi

Found this link on Corel Site

http://store.corel.com/webapp/wcs/store ... langId=-11

mpgabor7 · Post by **mpgabor7** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:31 pm

I have always used Ulead DVD Workshop 2 for my DVD authoring. It lets me customize every single aspect of my project - - EXCEPT it does not allow for 16x9 menus, so I am trying to use my VideoStudio 11.5.0157.2 Plus and am running into numerous problems with customization.

Problem 1: I don't typically use preset menus. I like to use a scene from my intro as the backdrop for the menu. With VideoStudio, I can "select a background image", but then I cannot delete any of the preset menu options. I can choose "hide object" for certain things, but others I have to drag off the page so it doesn't cover up my background image.

Problem 2: I can't figure out how to add or drag a "play button" or "go to next menu page" button onto my newly created menu.

Problem 3: I leave the "play all" button on the main menu page but add a 2nd page which is simply a text menu listing all the chapters (in this case 15 chapters). VideoStudio doesn't seem to allow me that option. It automatically places a few chapters per page, which then forces - - in this instance - - 4 menus. How can I put all my chapter points on the 2nd page instead of the program automatically putting 4 (or so) to a page?

Problem 4: Unfortunately, I have volume issues in this finished video. I tried to use the "normalize" and "volume leveleling" as best I could, but there are still some problems. I've read that I should be able to choose a "normalize audio" when I create my disk, and that this acts differently than the "normalize" filter that I used while editing. I cannot find that option.

Lastly, does VideoStudio X2 allow for TOTAL customization of the DVD menu? Or could you suggest a product that would allow me to do so - - I want something that is closer to Ulead's DVD Workshop 2.

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:38 pm

Guys,

Thanks all.

1. Trevor has pointed me to a much better solution than the one I had.
2. I now have the link to PhotoImpact if I want to spend £25 and get really clever with menus (anyone care to comment on the usefulness of this programme?)
3. I can now play with my own webpage and look at uploading images for posting into this forum.

Should keep me busy for a while.

Great advice, as ever. Keep up the outstanding work.

Black Lab: just realised you're across the pond and therefore the fact that the answer to the meaning of life is the number 42 may not mean anything to you. See "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. A great book.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:50 pm

Oh. Well now that I know the meaning of life was in a book maybe I should read it. Nah, I'll just wait for the movie.

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:06 pm

Black Lab wrote:Oh. Well now that I know the meaning of life was in a book maybe I should read it. Nah, I'll just wait for the movie.

You've missed it. It came out years ago. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the galaxy had and still has an enormous following here in the UK. It was serialised on radio quite a few times and was one of the most popular programs. It started many catch phrases, the number 42 probably the most famous.
If you have time here's a little bit of UK culture;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7283155.stm

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:27 pm

John,

Thanks for the nostagia trip - made me smile.
But was it really 30 years ago! Could have sworn it was 42..........

Who said video editing was no fun?

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:50 pm

Hi Max
I'm really getting carried away now. I have found the original radio series readings by that wonderful teller of tales "Peter Jones".
It's here if you are interested:
http://www.sadena.com/BBC-Radio/H2G2/
Best stop here otherwise we will be getting told off for getting off subject, even I can't find a link between THGTTG and VS x2 Pro

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:16 pm

You could always download the text only navigation buttons I created.
There is a link at the end of the tutorial!

DVD Text only Navigation buttons (PhotoImpact)

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:54 am

Steve,

Although Trevor has given me a good solution to my problem (hiding the Main Menu) being able to create my own text buttons would be perfect. To be able to change the font and colour would be neat. But it's not likely to be something I'd want to do very often. With that in mind.....

1. Is PhotoImpact a product that you use regularly?
2. Is it easy to use?
2. Is it a current Corel product that is likely to be supported/upgraded now and in the future? (there seemed to be some confusion on this point)

Alludo USER to USER Web Board

Working with DVD Menus

Further Question regarding DVD Menu