DVDlab Replacing Buttons

[Maxxximator]

Hi there, so this is my first posting. I hope you don't mind my english isn't too well. I've got the following problem concerning DVDlab: I want to create a menu where the buttons change when selected. For example if you got a picture of a skull as a button and want it to turn bloody if you select it. Some kinda mouse-over... I'd be glad if someone could help me. Thx alot, Max

[htc10825]

DVDLab create all the neccessary subpictures for diff. layers autometically so I dont thing your attempt will be realized easily with DVDLab. The advantage of DVDLab is the above mentioned "automations" for quich and easy design of menus. For maximum of flexibility, try the Scenarist instead.

If you dont have enough money to buy scenarist or dont have chance to use it, here is some aproachs:
Method 1: try to only change the colors of your button(e.g. red=bloody)
Method 2: construct the skull not as a button but as background picture in the right place. then put a small pic with some blood drops over the skull as button, define it 100% transparent in normal state, 0% transparent(color=red) in activated state etc...

I havnt did it actually before in DVDLab(above M2 is only the principle of DVD-Menus) so no more support I can offer...

[wingnut]

You can do exactly what you describe in DVD lab but its a little tricky to set up. DVD Lab calls this method "switched menus" and the only drawback is you wouldn't be able to have continuous sound/music running without interruption.

Basically set up a menu where each of the buttons in turn is bloody then select the button to jump to the menu where the button is bloody and set autoaction to on.

When run as the user selects a button the player will skip to the appropriate menu without the use having to press enter/select and bingo the button can be bloody. If you use motion menus and pre-prepare the buttons in premier/vegas/video animation-editing package of your choice you could even have the buttons dripping blood as they are selected (maybe after being run through with a cutlass etc)

There are switched menu examples and walkthroughs on their website here http://dvdlab.net/dvdlab/tutorial/index.html

Just down to imagination and preparation.


Cheers

Edz

[htc10825]

the disadvantage of such "switching menus" is not only the interrupt of background misic, but also the long waiting time(delay) for menu change - especially for most old SA-Players. For software player on computer however, there is no such delay. Many standalone player take a lot of time to change the menu...

[Maxxximator]

Thx alot for your answers. Are there any other Authoring Programs that can manage the things I want to do? And is it possible to create a play-all button in DVD lab on an episode dvd? So that I can either select the different episodes or play em all?

[wingnut]

Hi there

DVD Lab Pro (beta 10) can indeed add a play all button by using a play list object, you can link a button to each episode and one to a play list containing all the episodes. The advantage here is the episodes are only on the disc once even though they are available in both a play all and an episode by episode format

Ed

[htc10825]

the "play list" function can be only used if you've authored the diff. epsode in diff. VTS/Movies(e.g. movie1, movie2... etc.). If you have merged the episodes in one big movie file, you should use the "movie branching" function.