In the directory: C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 9.0\Template\4_3\Customize\Layout, there are a series of PhotoImpact image files (.ufo) that define the layout options when customizing a menu in Video Studio. We歓l be modifying a copy of one of these files to create a new layout.
First, let旧 start with the image we渇 like to use for the menu background:
For this image, I渇 like to have the title top left, one large thumbnail button in the middle left and the menu navigation buttons along the bottom. To create this layout:
1- Navigate to C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 9.0\Template\4_3\Customize\Layout (note: this path may be different if you changed the default installation directory for VideoStudio).
2- Examine the existing templates and choose one that somewhat resembles our goal � I chose La0301.ufo. Create a copy of this file and name it CustomLayout1.ufo.
3- Open CustomLayout1.ufo in PhotoImpact. Open the Layer Manager (F3) and inspect the layers in the document � they include the following:
a. IMG_TEMPLATE � a hidden layer that contains a thumbnail of the template.
b. NUMBER_1, NUMBER_2, NUMBER_3 - the thumbnail index numbers.
c. TEXT_1, TEXT_2, TEXT_3 � the textual description placeholders for each of the thumbnails (摂nter text here�)
d. OBJ_PAGENO � the page number for the current menu (�99/99�)
e. BTN_PLAYALL � the play button
f. BTN_MENU � the 滞ome� button
g. BTN_PREVIOUS � the previous button (<<h>>)
i. SCENE_1, SCENE_2, SCENE_3 � the blue rectangle placeholders for the scene buttons.
j. TITLE_1 � the title placeholder (¾Ey Title�)
k. IMG_BG � the background image
l. Base � the base layer
Video studio uses the layer names to build the layout. So, to create our desired layout, do the following:
4- Delete the following layers (since we only want 1 thumbnail button per menu page):
NUMBER_2, NUMBER_3, TEXT_2, TEXT_3, SCENE_2, SCENE_3
5- Select the TITLE_1 layer and move it to the left. Then, with the layer still selected, select the Text Tool and set the horizontal alignment of the text to left.
6- Select the SCENE_1 layer, then choose the Transform Tool and resize the blue rectangle to the desired size. Hold down the Shift key while you drag to maintain the aspect ratio of the rectangle.
7- Select the TEXT_1 layer and move it so that it is below the blue rectangle.
8- Select the OBJ_PAGENO layer and move it so that it is under the blue rectangle. Then, hold down Control and click on the blue rectangle to select it as well. Right click on the blue rectangle, select 苊lign� and choose 葜ight.� Then click outside of the image to clear the layer selection. Select the OBJ_PAGENO layer and then hold down Control and click on the play button. Right click and select 苊lign� then choose 苘ottom.�
9- Using the Pick Tool, drag a selection around the entire image so that all layers are selected. Push Control-C to copy all layers, then Control-V to paste a new layer on top. Delete the existing IMG_TEMPLATE layer and rename the new layer created to IMG_TEMPLATE. Use the Transform Tool to resize this layer (while holding Shift to maintain the aspect ratio).
Save the changes and wehe ready to test the new layout in VideoStudio!
10- Open the VideoStudio editor and create your video � when on the screen that allows you to select a menu template, select 茘ustomize.�
11- First, select the background image to use for the menu.
12- Then, on the right, select the scene frame that you渇 like to use.
13- Using the drop-down menu above the frames, select 莟ayout� and then choose the CustomLayout1 option.
14- Using the drop-down above the layouts, select 苘utton Image� and choose the button style you渇 like to use.
15- Click on the menu preview image and use the options to 茘ustomize Menu Heading Style� and 茘ustomize Text Description Style� to change the font and color of the text.
16- At this point, you can hit 苊dd to Menu Template� to save this menu as a template for easy use later.
17- Click 菷K� and you will see your new menu!
Note that the text color for the thumbnail index numbers and the page numbers are set in the template. If you don«æ like the color you can choose a different initial template to work from.
Email sent to author 06Nov2006 to see if the pictures can be restored - sjj1805
