Simplest way to replace menu pic, add button with pic?

[Mr.Zebra]

Hi there, first time posting, and yes I did read through the forums, searched around, but didn't seem to find anything that helped me out.
So here goes...
I'm just a beginner, maybe slightly better than a beginner at most.
I've been wondering if there is an easy/simple way to replace the picture that is present in a still menu on a dvd? Also if it's possible to add buttons that are made up of a small picture, or text, to that menu afterwards?
What i'm looking for is the following situation, if at all possible:
Decrypt the files of a dvd onto my drive. <--this I can do>
Open up the main ifo/vob files to edit the menu. <--this I can do, but all i know how to do is erase buttons, change buttons, or add in buttons that are just blank buttons>
Finally, after editing, re-iso the files <--this I can do>

I know how to use MenuEdit, and have, I also know how to use DVDRemake, and have. And while I can add buttons with those, they're just blank buttons, placed wherever I want to place them over the background, and don't really work that well in my opinion. Also, neither give me the option of replacing the background pic in the menus.

Sorry if this all sounds to noob or anything, but I'm really at a loss as to how to accomplish this in a simple/fairly easy way. I'm really trying to avoid having to demux the vob files, and reauthor the complete dvd, and make a menu with some other program...etc etc..
I really like the simple programs like ifoedit, and menuedit :D

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
Mr. Zebra

[jel]

hi mr.zebra,

not sure if this is what you are looking for but numenu4u (http://numenu4u.users.btopenworld.com/) can process menus. it will demux your original menu, create a .scp file that is imported into Sonic Scenarist, recreating the original structure (sans main movie/extras video) exactly.
from there you could easily (depends on your definition) change menu backgrounds, add/create new buttons by editing the existing subpics etc.
by default, numenu4u will re-encode your menus at a lower bit-rate, however there is an option to use original assets.
the only downside is that you will need Scenarist to re-author in, and scenarist is not cheap .... not by a longshot.
hth
j

edit: upon re-reading your post, i realise that this method is far from easy and is most likely not a solution that will help you ... sorry.
to be honest i cannot think of any programs that allow you to change menu stills and create new buttons without re-authoring the menu.

oh, and welcome to the forum! :D

[Mr.Zebra]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah I really was hoping to avoid scenarist and the like.
After posting my question, I kept searching around, and I've been trying the method described here:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83630&highlight=changing+menu+text+possible
But I cannot get it to work properly at all :(

I'd really be happy with just changing the background image, then I could settle for placing buttons over part of the image...although not ideal, it would work.

guess I'll keep fiddling with the above :\
Mr. Zebra