Quickest Way to Format a menu page

2G wrote on 7/18/2005, 2:02 PM
I have several DVDs to produce, each with clips with a bunch of chapter points. I want to create a series of scene selection menus with about 20 chapter links in each page, formatted text-only in two columns. Shouldn't be that difficult, right? If there are any tricks to this, then please tell me. I'm spending about a half an hour on each page trying to get everything to line up, even spacing, same font size, left justified, and have the text frames not be 5 times the size they need to be and overlaying each other, etc.

I tried themes, but when I saved the first page as a theme after finally getting it to look decent, I found out the default theme save function saves the text and replaces the text on the next page (like I REALLY wanted the same text on the second page (???)) So I dug through the docs to find the other template option. But all it did was "auto" convert the buttons to text and changed fonts and background (thank you... that saved about 3 seconds out of the 30 min process...) it didn't line up / size the button text or anything.

It shouldn't be this difficult. How can I simply tell the scene selection menu creation wizard that I want my 20 buttons lined up in two columns text only?

Or is the answer really templates? I had high hopes for the new ability to save templates. At this point, though, I don't see much added value with them.

Comments

Tesgin wrote on 4/10/2006, 10:09 PM
I'd like to reply to this post by repeating this same question. I haven't figured out how to do what this author is requesting either. But there was no reply to this post since it was initially posted last July. I'm hoping someone will read this and be able to help...

Tesgin
bStro wrote on 4/11/2006, 1:05 PM
Weird. I don't recall ever seeing the original post. I'd've answered it if I had.

The trouble is, most people click Export to Theme, name it, and be done with it. The default type of theme that DVDA saves is Proportional, which is not flexible. What you see is what you get right down to not only the font size, but the text itself!

You get more flexibility and a better idea of how your theme will look by hitting the Advanced button. From there, change Theme type to Grid, slide the dialog box over so you can get a good look at the the workspace, check the box at the bottom of the screen that says Preview Changes. Then fiddle with the settings so that you get the theme looking the way you want. For the theme being asked about in the original post, I would start by changing Orientation to Vertical and going from there.

If it's still not quite what you want, get your hands dirty and open up the XML file for the theme.

Unfortunately, there's never been an official, friendly way to create DVDA themes -- before DVDA 3.0, we didn't even have the export feature...just the XML files. A kind DVDA user with programming experienced developed a theme editor, but he became a new father before he had a chance to update the program for DVDA 3.0, so one baby took priority over the other. ;-)

Rob
Tesgin wrote on 4/13/2006, 6:55 PM
Excellent. I appreciate the quick response. Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but this makes sense to me.

BTW, Rob, thank you also for your quick reply to my other post (http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=452643&Replies=0).

I appreciate it.

TB
Tesgin wrote on 4/13/2006, 7:36 PM
Rob,

This still isn't working for me. I must be missing something...

I did as you said, but I keep getting the same result.

I want to set up a theme using one of the backgrounds from the background tab. I want to set up my text for the heading in, say, a 30 point font. Now, if I do that, and export it as a theme, I'm fine at this point.

But where I'm having trouble is that I want a theme where I can just drag an .avi file from the explorer tab, and instead of appearing as a button, or a button with text, it will automatically appear as a text only link, and not one where the font goes to, say, Arial font and size is auto, but I want it to automatically create a text link with, say, a 26 point (NOT auto) font that's in Times New Roman.

I tried what you said, but then when I drag the .avi file, it creates a button again.

This program seems marvelously powerful, and I do like it, but the manual is just not adequate. Simple tasks like this shouldn't be that big of a deal. No matter: I know it's one of those things that when I get it, I'll have it for good. It's just "getting it."

So if you could walk me through that one, I'd be greatly appreciative!

Thanks in advance,
TB