Simple custom theme

VeeCee wrote on 4/19/2009, 12:23 AM
Hi,

I was trying to create a simple custom theme. I could not find any instructions about how to do it. From the various information I gathered from the forum, I was able to do it without much difficulty.

The theme files can be viewed if the file extension is changed to zip. I copied a theme file, changed the extension to .zip and I unzipped the file. There is a xml file, jpg file and png files. jpg file forms the background. I used PS for changing the size and resolution of my own image/photo to that of the original jpg. and added it to the files. Deleted the original .jpg.

Opened the default. xml file with notepad and changed the name of the original jpg to the substituted one. The name between the <NAME> </NAME> tags is the name of the theme. Changed it to my own liking. Saved it as default.xml.

Zipped the whole lot under the name of the new theme. Renamed it as .thm and placed it in the theme folder.

I did not try changing png images and I hope to experiment with them soon.

Comments

bStro wrote on 4/19/2009, 6:37 AM
Sony released a theme specification PDF that describes the entries in the XML file. It's rather old, but the structure of a theme hasn't changed much, if at all.

By the way, an easy way to start is to set up a menu the way you like, and then go to File > Export Menu as Theme. Be sure to hit the Advanced button and examine / tweak the settings. In most cases, you'll probably want to change the Theme type from Positional to Grid. Experiment to see the differences. Then, if you need to, open up the THM file and edit the XML if necessary.

(If you're using DVD Architect Studio, the Export Menu feature might not be available. I have DVDA Studio as well, but not on the computer I'm using at the moment.)

Rob
TOG62 wrote on 4/19/2009, 6:57 AM
Confirm the Studio version has this option.

Mike
VeeCee wrote on 4/19/2009, 11:42 AM
Thanks bStro.
I have VMS Platinum 7 and DVDA studio v4. The export menu option is available. The settings looked a bit complicated. When I find time I'll experiment with the settings as suggested.