Creating Menus

[jasonwarren]

I have seen that we can create our own menus in Photoshop Elements and bring them into Premiere Elements. I can't find anything about actually doing it though. I am quite frustrated. Does anyone have any suggestions on this. Or just know how to do it? Thanks--Jason

[ATR]

JasonWarren

We have been down this path many, many times. The Search should yield the answers that you seek. You should find most, if not all, of your answers in the following thread:

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25223&highlight=Menus

Basically, you can edit existing DVD templates to some extent right within the program, more so by editing in Photoshop Elements the DVD template files found in the Program Files. BUT, you cannot create DVD templates with Photoshop Elements with the following explanation:

1. If you have the specific combination of Photoshop Elements 4 and Premiere Elements 2 installed on the same computer, you get the perk of a Wizard in Photoshop Elements 4 that will allow you to create DVD templates. Otherwise, you could use Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3 to create the DVD templates according to the protocol described in the reading material that I just supplied. The layer set feature of Photoshop is the key.

Check it out. But, keep in your mind the distinction between editing an existing DVD template and creating a DVD template from scratch. Take a good look at previous entries via the Search function here or using Google.

Let us know how you do.

ATR

[jasonwarren]

Thanks for the help.

Before I posted, I did do a search on this strand, but didn't find what I was looking for. I also searched on google. This was my last resort.

I will look at editing the pre-existing templates, but I do have Photoshop CS3, so I might try and create one using Photoshop.

Thanks.

[ATR]

When you get a chance, please let us know how it all turns out.

I like to leave myself a safety net when editing the existing DVD templates at the level of the files in the Program Files. So, I work from copy of original. You could leave the original on the Desktop for safe keeping while you are working on the edited version.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

You might want to also check out Muvipix.com Steve Grisetti wrote the book on editing DVD Menu Templates and he is one of the founders. We also have many free DVD Templates that you can download :)

[ATR]

HI CE

Editing versus Creating...Encore (pun intended).....

When you say that SG "...wrote the book on editing DVD Menu Templates..." do you mean that he has authored such a book or that you were just commenting on his level of expertise??

If he has authored such a book, please let me know and I will add his book to my list of suggested reading on this topic. Yes, I do know about his video tutorials (with fee) that he has on the subject. If I recall, there should be about three of them by now, with the last promising to be better yet...editing or creating from scratch with Photoshop CS3??

In the link that I presented in my post, you will notice that you are there also with the same type of comment. So, you were represented in my reply.

ATR

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks for the plug ATR :)

Steve has 3 or 4 articles at muvipix, all are $9.95 and yes the latest is the best along with the Step By Step article. Steve and I have had a number of offers to do books but we feel that we can accomplish more at muvipix with articles and tutorials than to put out another book.

My comment on Steve 'Writing the book...' has more to do with his level of expertise than anything else, but a few more articles on the subject and it will just about be a book ;)

[jasonwarren]

Alright, what I am looking for is:

On the Main Menu page, have three different links to scenes. I want each scenes link to take you to a different scenes page. Is this possible?

I also want to be able to have as many videos on each scenes page as I want. For example, 5 videos on the 1st page, 3 videos on the 2nd page, and 4 videos on the 3rd page. Is this perhaps an option? Thanks.

[ATR]

Are you talking about editing an existing DVD template which consists of a Main Menu and Scene Menu. And, are you talking about more than one video per DVD-VIDEO? I am making a distinction between video and scenes within a video.

Here are some basics on the status quo:

Main Menu and Dealing with Main Menu Markers (blue)

Main Menu usually will allow for at least two buttons: Play, Scene Selection. If you have two different videos (movies) in the same project you can use a Timeline Stop Marker at the end of the first and a Main Menu Marker at the beginning of the second to create a "Bonus Item" entry on the Main Menu in addition to having Play and Scene Selection. Always check out the description of the DVD template being edited. Keep in mind that beyond Play and Scene Selection, the entries on the Main Menu are related to the placement of Main Menu Markers (blue) on the Timeline. Here too, if you exceed the number of entries for which the Main Menu is designed, you will spill over automatically into additional Main Menu pages.

Scene Menu and Dealing With Timeline Scene Markers (green)

The design of the Scene Menu will determine how many scenes (thumbnails) will be on each page. So, if the Scene Menu description say 3 scenes and you have 7 scenes in all, then there will be 3 pages for the Scene Menu (1st with 3 scenes, 2nd with 3 scenes, 3rd with 1 scene). These are automatically generated as you exceed the number of thumbnails allowed per page. Keep in mind that the thumbnails on these scene pages are linked to the placement of the scene markers on the Timeline. You can increase/decrease the number of scenes (thumbnails) per page by going into the file in the Program Files, but do not over crowd.

So, on the Main Menu you can have three different links to scenes by using Main Menu Markers on the Timeline. But, that will play that scene directly from the Main Menu, rather than going to a Scene Selection Menu to select a scene. So, I do not think that you can go the next step in this scenario and get each scene linked to different scene pages. That seems to be doable via the Scene Selection Menu.

As for as many videos (I assume you mean scenes) as you want on each scene page, I believe that the additional scene pages generated (when you go over the quota per page) are duplicates of page one. So, you can go into the file in the Program Files can add or decrease number of thumbnails (scenes) allowed per page, but all the pages will be limited to the same number of thumbnails per page.

I need to play with your idea some more, but this is my first take on what you say you want to do. When people want to get more creative with DVD template modification, they often get referred to the following free downloadable program:

http://download.videohelp.com/r0lZ/pgcedit/

I would need to look into that as well to see if there is anything there that will assist you in your goals beyond the basic offerings of Premiere Elements.

To be continued...........

ATR

[jasonwarren]

Okay, let be extremely specific about what I am trying to do.

I am a band director. I have the Intermediate School, Middle School, and High School Christmas Concerts. I want to have a main page where there are three options, go to the High School songs, Middle School Songs, and intermediate School Songs. On these pages, there will be the scenes from their concerts for each piece. So, if the bands play a different total of songs, the scene menus will then need to allow a different amount of scene markers on each page.

All of the videos or scenes are on the same Premiere file. If I could import each Schools Premiere file, and then add them to a 'master' page, that would work too. But...I don't want to render and them put them in the main file and then render them again. My understanding is that each time you render them, they lose a little from the original.

I will try the stop menu feature, I didn't think that that would work, but I also didn't try it. I will post if it works or not.

Hope that this was clear.

Thanks.

[ATR]

I have noticed that you have looked into support on this issue from the Premiere Elements User to User Forum at Adobe. I have added my comments to your topic there:

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3c057647

As for dealing with your three themes, have you looked into the concept of editing each theme section separately, exporting each to DV AVI to be stored on your hard drive, and recombined into a new project when ready for the master project?

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bbe608f

What type of file format did you import into the Premiere Elements 4 Timeline in the first place....an MPEG of some sort?

From what I have suggested so far, you can access viathe Main Menu buttons your three themes with Main Menu Markers and Stop Markers on the Timeline. Try that Camera Menu DVD Template to demonstrate that to yourself. With that plan you would still have the options for just "Play" or "Scene Selection". But, I have not figured out a way for you to click a Main Menu button and bring up a Scene Selection Page specific to that one Main Menu button.

I will continue to think about this. Maybe SG has some insights to share.

ATR

[ATR]

jasonwarren

In my last post here to you, I think that I posted the wrong link to your topic at the Premiere Elements User to User Forum at Adobe. Hopefully, this is the correct one:

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.59b503ed/1

ATR

[jasonwarren]

I have tried making smaller sections (one DV AVI for each band), but it still doesn't allow for the scene selection menus.

I also tried putting stop markers in, but it doesn't seem to help with that topic.

I am thinking of buy the Master Suite. Does the full version on Premeire offer an option to open separate scene menus?

Thanks again--Jason

[ATR]

Jason,

Your findings are in keeping with my prior comments/observations. The DV AVI comment was not meant as the fix for resolving the separate scene menu issue. It was directed to your inquiry about handling a large project in smaller pieces. What about the scene menu handling workaround that I suggested in my last post in your topic at Adobe?

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?14@@.59b503ed/0


As I have said here and in my response to your topic at Adobe’s Premiere Elements User to User Forum, I do not believe that Premiere Elements 4 can do what you are looking for as you have detailed in your posts.

The Encore software is supposed to be a more powerful tool with respect to DVD menus, but I do not know that first hand. From what I read, Encore now comes shipped with/integrated with Premiere Pro CS3

http://blogs.digitalmediaonlineinc.com/jeffschell/entry/20070527

I do not know if even Encore can accomplish the sought after task. Think about my suggested workaround if you have not done so already. If you do not want to consider it, then these are my suggestions for now:
1. Post your question in the Premiere Pro CS3 User to User Forum at Adobe

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bc4505d/

2. Download the free 30 day tryout of Premiere Pro CS3 from Adobe
http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

I am a Premiere Elements user/hobbyist and do not work in or am involved in the videography field. But, if I do get some time in the near future, I might try downloading the tryout of Premiere Pro CS3 and explore its offerings. In the final analysis, you will need to decide if the greater cost involved is justified.

ATR

[ATR]

Jason,

How are you doing with your search for an answer to your DVD Menu navigation issue?

Premiere Elements Pro CS3 comes integrated with Encore and............

This morning I came across this video tutorial for Encore and its DVD Menu offerings. It looks like the way to go for enhanced navigational options, but will it work for your goals????????

Check it out and see what you think:
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/?id=vid0240

ATR

[jasonwarren]

I am going to watch all of these videos, but it looks like that might work. Sorry it has taken so long to get back with you, work gets in the way of hobbies sometimes!!

[ATR]

jasonwarren,

We are looking forward to learning how this all works out.

Your comment about work and hobbies is so very true.

Good luck with your next step in this project.

ATR