DVD Menu Creation

metalbassmachine wrote on 1/3/2008, 9:08 AM
Hello...I've been using DVD Architect since it began, and I'm somewhat accomplished at its use...it's my desire to begin utilizing some of the more advanced abilities of a DVD Menu that I've seen on some of the Commercial-level DVDs.

Specifically, I'm interested in designing an opening media clip that will "lead into" the actual menu, and then, upon clicking the "Main Feature" link, the Menu itself at that point will suddenly "react" to the click of the link, and the Menu content will then, say, all move in different directions (for example) and fade, or somehow "transition" and fade, then go on to play the video.

I've seen dozens of this type of menu interactivity, and love it...

It seems that the Opening Media must be prepared in Vegas, with all of the Menu Content coming into the "scene", then for the content to come to a resting place, exactly where it will be in the menu, and then when the menu actually appears, the Link Highlights then appear...THEN, when the link is clicked, say, the link, the text, and any other images suddenly all fade, one at a time, to black, and the video begins...

I may have answered most of my own question here, but the part that I'm unsure of is when the link is clicked, and the menu begins its transition before my movie comes on...

I'm the Media/Graphic Design Specialist at a local airport, where a heavy degree of Flight Instruction occurs, and I will be creating Flight Instruction DVD's, as well as some things on my own, such as Music DVD's for local bands, etc...

Any ideas on the Link-Click-to-Movie transition?
Thanks in advance for any ideas...'
Alan

Comments

MPM wrote on 1/4/2008, 1:27 PM
In general I'd suggest creating/importing the intro elements onto the Vegas time-line, followed by the menu, followed by the exit video. Selecting portions of the time-line you'll then be able to render 2 or 3 video clips as needed -- you might want specific exit or transition videos depending on the target location.

For creating the different effect you can use Vegas, plug-ins, &/or separate apps like the commonly used After Effects program. There's also some inexpensive 3d apps you can use, bringing the results into Vegas and compositing on your background. And there are several stock houses that sell clips and discs of motion backgrounds like you see on cable news & sports.

Most of the effect IMHO is due to good design rather than any technical wizardry. The buttons (graphics &/or text) should move into place, or have some lighting effect during the end of the intro to impart motion to the viewer -- that way the appearance of the default button highlight isn't noticed... It's like a magic trick diverting attention, and you'll see it on most Hollywood DVDs. It is possible to fade in fake highlights (discussed in several threads), but there's almost always some flaw that makes the change from intro to actual highlight visible to some extent. Because you can never tell where a motion menu will be when a button's clicked, it's common to use some sort of dramatic effect with a big change in brightness, like a flare, fading to whatever, usually with an accompanying audio exclamation point that rapidly fades to silence.

Technically:... I normally render any menu video by selecting the clip Plus 1 frame of video only to allow for trimming in DVDA. You can use a separate file for the intro, or render the intro and menu as one clip, setting the loop point in DVDA. IMHO a separate into video works better than using a loop point when the menu loops, but there's little question using a loop point can make the transition from intro to menu appear smoother. Setting either way up in DVDA is fairly simple and well documented in the help file and manual. Lately the trend is to have a combined intro and menu, with a 2nd looping menu (& I think it works great, if it is a bit more trouble authoring)... Basically the main menu is duplicated, and targeted throughout the DVD -- the first menu is only shown once, on DVD start-up, so the matter of increased delay on looping (with a loop point or 2 cell menu) never comes up.

Exit videos can be either separate files, or menu backgrounds... Maybe things work faster, with less delay, if you keep the video all in the menu domain, and you'll see this a lot on Hollywood DVDs also. TO do an exit video as menu background, simply add an empty (image type) button with no image and set it to auto-activate, go to wherever when the video's done.

[For more info on "Hollywood" DVDs I suggest doom9.org &/or videohelp.com, because you can't take DVDs apart legally that you don't own the rights for.]