menus in scenarist

[stl]

Finally, thanks to the new backup guides for scenarist, I was able to make sense of this program and successfully author. Since this was a test, my only assets were a single M2V and AC3 file.

The problem is that I still can't figure out how to add a menu (still for now).

While I can import BMP's for still menu's & overlay's I can't figure out what to do with them. If I create a new subpicture stream, dragging my BMP does nothing. Do I need to create a new track? If yes, how is that done? If I follow the original scenarist authoring guide, then the opposite is true, I can't add the main movie.

Am I supposed to make the menu the 1st PGC the menu?

Any advice/answers would be appreciated.

[stl]

come on guys, somebody, anybody,

Anyway, I've figured out how to do multiple tracks and how to create a language folder in scenario editor but when I drag my BMP nothing happens.

Please, somebody who understands this prog, help me out.

[dan]

Being that you weren't very specific with how it wasn't working [not being sarcastic or mean, just a friendly reminder to explain things better next time...], these are just a few wild guesses...

You mentioned the guides, so I assume you probably have read the Scenarist guide...that's pretty accurate, but in case you weren't able to follow it so well...

[ok, these instructions aren't exactly how things will be worded by the program, but hopefully close enough...] While in the "Data Editor" window [one of the tabs at the top], when you import the menu bitmap, be sure that you choose "still menu" from those options. The status window [bottom left] should say "blah blah blah 1 of 1 file added successfully. Next, import your subpicture bitmaps and choose "Subpicture with forced start" for each. The status window should reflect the importing of these files.

Now that Scenarist can work with the files, drag the menu bitmap [not the subpicture bitmaps] into the "Track Editor" window and drop it into the folder called "tracks" [use some creative drag and dropping or use the data window on the bottom right while the the track window is open and drag from there...making sure that it makes a new track...(again, do this by making sure you drag into the "tracks" folder)]. Now, select the new track you made in the track editor so that it is shown on a timeline next to the list of tracks.

Now, the menu is waiting for subpicture(s). Drag the subpicture bitmaps from the small data window on the bottom right into that new track you made. Set a display mode for each [if the menus are 4:3, you're fine, but if they're wide (16:9) or panscan (special 4:3) you're in for some more work [search for my guide: making widescreen menus for scenarist for a bit of an explanation...not to shamelessly self-promote myself, I swear]] and you're set after you give it a language.

Now, define where the buttons [highlights] are on the track by opening the simulator and following the Scenarist guide.

Now, drag that track that has however many subpicture tracks you added to it into that language domain you made or the video manager. Connect the first PGC to the PGC you made [the track you dragged into the Scenario Manager], then make the button links [again, follow the guide].

That should be "it".

I think the problem you had/have has to do with the step of making a track out of your bitmap for the menu... Good luck.

Dan.

P.S. Please reply as to whether or not this fixed the problem you had.

[stl]

Thanks for the reply Dan,

I'm happy to say that I've finally got this thing figured out. Sorry if I wasn't specific but like everyone says, Scenarist is not intuitive. I remember that I only had to read the Maestro guide once.

Anyway, the problem was that I wasn't paying close enough attention to the guide as far as creating buttons (and therefore the highlight stream). This was the source of my problem and the Scenarist Manual while helpfull, wasn't specific in that regard. I'm compiling a test project now and hopefully my navigation will be O.K., if not it's no big deal because I understand how to set it and at worst (or laziest)can simply rely on trial and error to get it right.

I do prefer Maestro for it's functionality combined with ease of use, great for average stuff. However I also see myself using Scenarist for the really advanced and creative stuff and am happy that I'm getting the hang of it. Thanks again for your help.