DVD Architect With PSD Menu

doubleJ wrote on 4/14/2018, 1:44 PM

Hello...
I've been a long-time Adobe Encore and Sony Vegas Pro user and I'm trying the trial of DVD Architect 7.
I figure the two products would work well, together.
Plus, Encore will never get updated again (*sad face*).
I'm having quite a bit of trouble making my PSD menu work with DVD Architect, though.
Hopefully, you can give me some guidance...

1: Requiring a single layer for a background image...
I have the layers that make up my background image all in a layer called "background-01-group".
Why can't they be in layers and just use anything that is in the group?

2: Hidden layers stay visible...
If I hide a group (or single layer), in Photoshop, it still shows up in DVD Architect.
Why not honor the hidden flag?

3: Open Image In Graphics Editor doesn't allow saving in the graphics editor...
If I right-click on the background and Open Image In Graphics Editor, it opens the PSD in Photoshop.
I can make changes, but I can't save them since the file is open in DVD Architect.

4: Text And Image buttons in PSD...
The help file shows what to name a layer for an image and frame, but not text.
Each of my buttons have a image, frame, and text.
I have to change the Button Style, Edit Text, and change text properties for every button (when it's already in the PSD).

5: Automatic Linking...
In Encore, I just drag the video file to the button and it creates the link.
In DVD Architect, if I drag the video to the button, it creates a new button at the same position and size.
If I want to link the existing button, I have to select the button and change its properties.

6: Title Layer...
There isn't a lot of text styling ability, within DVD Architect, so I'd like to be able to do my text titling in Photoshop.
It would be nice to name the layer so that I can just edit the text of that layer in DVD Architect, but have the styling done in the PSD.

I would like to like DVD Architect, especially given how much I despise Premiere Pro.
I'm kind of odd, like that.
I like Audition, but I don't like Premiere Pro.
I like Vegas, but I don't like Sound Forge.
Oh, well...

Any help would be appreciated.
JJ

Comments

doubleJ wrote on 4/14/2018, 2:56 PM

Just in case it would be helpful, here is a link to the menu psd that I made. It's possible that I did something incorrectly.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AlRf6b1u0N2PtoosnoJlFRvNG0gopg

Former user wrote on 4/15/2018, 10:51 AM

These are good suggestions, but with the future of DVDs and Blurays fading, I would doubt that many changes will be made in DVDA. As to your #3 comment, be sure you have the preferences checked to release media on change of focus. That way DVDA will release the PSD file so that when you update it in Photoshop, it should update in DVDA when you change back to it.

As to #1, I always save a version that layers are not merged so I can update it, or merge to a new layer on top of the unique layers.

As to #5, that is the way it works. There is no flowchart or drag and drop assignment of buttons.

I put all of my stationary text (in this case your lesson numbers) on the Background. No need then for a separate text layer.

doubleJ wrote on 4/15/2018, 1:37 PM

I put all of my stationary text (in this case your lesson numbers) on the Background. No need then for a separate text layer.

Thanks for the reply...

Unfortunately, my use requires the ability to delete things at will.
I do collections where each disc has the same menu and layout, but different numbers of items.
That's why each button has a text layer.
JJ

Former user wrote on 4/15/2018, 3:15 PM

I can only suggest that you create a Photoshop template with separate layers in the Background group and merge what you need for each project. Good luck!