Menu Guide: How to add a background image to menu?

[Cougar_II]

Hi,

Based on my tests, I do not need to resize my images anymore.

ConvertXtoDVD will deal with it, and ajust it to fit the background.

I use to resize them with VSO Image Resizer DVD[NTSC]
[ ] Keep Aspect Ratio

Looked a little stretched but it filled the whole screen.

Now I just load the original .JPG and it took care of it

[bent]

Hi,

Based on my tests, I do not need to resize my images anymore.

ConvertXtoDVD will deal with it, and ajust it to fit the background.

I use to resize them with VSO Image Resizer DVD[NTSC]
[ ] Keep Aspect Ratio

Looked a little stretched but it filled the whole screen.

Now I just load the original .JPG and it took care of it

i loaded it withe the original jpeg 568 x 768 and it came out very squished/weird..

Should i crop it to 4:3?

[JJ]

568 x 768 is not 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, so obviously image will be manipulated.

Use image that has 4:3 AR for best result.

[bent]

568 x 768 is not 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, so obviously image will be manipulated.

Use image that has 4:3 AR for best result.

ok, thanks

[alana17]

I really need help! I wanna put an image on my menu but I don't have the BACKGROUND VIDEO TOOL.
Please I really don't know why I don't have the tool!

[Cougar_II]

Hi,

Not every template accepts an image as the background.

You are using the Default, Simple Menu.

This one doesn't accept a custom video/image as the background.

[alana17]

^thank you soooo much!

[spleeeny]

Hi!

Is there any way we can have a custom background picture (like in the minimal template) AND a chapters menu (like in the default template)?

[JMoore]

Hey thanks for the info in this thread, think I've finally got it. One question: what effect does changing the background in the "Text style editor" have? Is this only for changing text style of menus etc (ie. the background chosen does not appear in the Menu)?

[Cougar_II]

Hi,

Well right now, seems the Title Settings is hardcoded in the template.

So changing the style, font, color will do nothing.

Maybe it will change in the future, but seems to be like that.

Now for subtitles, the affects doesn't change either, but it seems this is a bug.

So let's see what the next build will give us !

[JMoore]

OK thanks. So basically, the menu text style editor doesn't do anything at this stage. The only real menu changes you can make is changing the template and background? Sorry if I am missing something...

[Eddmund]

I just have had the first look on version 3's RC, but did not find a way to generate such a simple menu as it is possible with version 2. Do I really have to downgrade back to v2 when I only want that v2-style simple menu?

The only thing I have been waiting for so long is a possibility to remove the forced shadow in the menu's fonts of v2. v3 now allows fonts without a shadow, but does not allow this simple menu style anymore. I don't want to be forced to add fancy animations - just want to keep it simple.

[Dee]

not a feature yet in ConvertXtoDVD 3, might come

Claire, is this in response to Bent's question about menu previews? I really, really hoped not but I can't find a way to preview a custom menu (either live, or via a render option).

This is vital surely!? If the only way to see if my custom menus look Ok is to convert the entire project then I guess I'm in trouble. Did version 2 have this functionality?

Cheers,

Dee

[Cougar_II]

Hi,

There will be NO Menu Preview in v3.00

VSO will work on it in the future.

For now, do like we all do, test with 2 real small files, and look at the output.

After a while you will handle v3.00 like a pro and have a hell of a good idea what the output will look like.

For now, even if they wanted to Preview the menu, they would still need to generate/render them, which would be about the same time as convert 2 mini input files for testing !

My opinion !

[Dee]

No, there are other ways to generate a pretty good approximation of the menu without actually rendering the DVD ready files. Other software can do it (in real time) and it looks like v2 of this could as well.

So we can't see a preview of the menu without going through a test file setup, and the menu style editor does nothing and any changes you make there are useless? This means that CXtoD v3 does nothing but convert files to VOB, with the option of using VSO's set templates, text positions, fonts and all? Sorry, but that is pretty poor for a release candidate in its 5th cycle.

Cheers,

D

[Claire]

I totally understand you comments

[zinjo]

True enough.

As craptastic as Vision 5 is, it's primary benefit is the outstanding menu editing module and templates it has,

The code may suck worse than a black hole, but a fully customizable menu system makes for a professional looking result, IF you can get it to encode completely.

ConvertX is the superior encoder (particulalrly with the merge option for vid files), but it's menu options are simplistic at best and the new system as good as it looks, really needs to be more flexible to take on Vision 5 as the encoders choice for professional looking results.

The ability to change backgrounds in "all" templates must be a default option. From that the module can be modified to allow movable buttons and customizable buttons.

I am very encouraged by the direction VSO is going with this encoder, but enthusiasts would prefer one that can provide outstanding menu creation since once a DVD is encoded, it is not very easy to change the background, particularly if there is any animation in it.

Keep up the good work and be willing to delay Version 3 if it means giving us a menu editing package that will compete with Vision.

[loblah]

i'm stunned -stunned!- that i just spend 45 minutes of my life trying to create a menu (one i could not preview no less) on your 'new' version 3.

you have got a nearly impossible to decipher menu interface, with what I like to call The Dialogue Box of Confusion under tools, and the crazy Folder Tree of Nonsense where i input text.

i haven't had to go to a help menu since i was in grade 7. and i just re-read through 4 pages of this forum, and still don't really get it.

here, have some reality:

1) this new version is a serious step backward. big time. a GOOD CLEAR WELL-DESIGNED INTERFACE is everything.

2) i'm out. i'm going back to version 2. and am actively looking for a replacement program.

Signed, Big Time Dissapointed.

[Cougar_II]

Hey,

and am actively looking for a replacement program.

You can try:

The Film Machine
DVD Flick
AVI2ISO
WINAVI
Nero Recode

Good Luck !

[loblah]

sad to say a couple of those are better than vso 3

not 2 though

I'M NOT SHOUTING, MY ANSWERS ARE IN CAPS WITHIN COUGAR'S QUOTE...

"Hey,

You just need to learn it !

LEARN IT? IT'S 15 MEGS! I SPENT LESS TIME LEARNING FINAL CUT PRO! IT'S A TERRIBLE INTERFACE AND YOU KNOW IT.

I can manage it like a pro now !

AFTER HOW MUCH EFFORT / TESTS / TRIES?.... OR DID YOU DESIGN IT? SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU WORK FOR VSO

People wined and wined to get all sorts of features, and now people wine again because there's a lot of options. DUH !!!!!!

I LOVE THE FEATURES! I WORK IN SOFTWARE, FEATURES ARE WHAT DRIVES THE INDUSTRY, FEATURES ARE GOOD, (XCEPT IF YOUR MS, WHEN YOU START BLOATING APPS WITH UNNECESSARY FEATURES)

BUT IT FEELS LIKE VSO RUSHED A DEVELOPMENT CYCLE TO PUT OUT A PRODUCT BEFORE IT'S READY

OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES / TALENT TO DEVELOP A PROPER INTERFACE

Want it simple, go back to v2

WILL DO. DID IN FACT.

I love v3 and sticking with it, I make awsome DVD with it and no one will take v3 away !

YOU'RE AWESOME

As for the preview, it's like asking someone, hey, can you build me that house, to see if I like it ?

GREAT ARGUMENT. YOU'RE RIGHT. BURNING DVDS ARE LIKE BUILDING HOUSES.

What, you can't build it in 2 hours so I can look at it "


THERE'S AN ENTIRE OFFICE HERE THAT AGREES WITH ME.

BUT ENOUGH OF OUR OPINIONS COUGAR, I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM MORE USERS ON WHAT THEY THINK...

PLEASE SOUND OFF EVERYBODY IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE... DOES THE XTRA NEW FEATURES OUTWEIGH THE STUPIDITY I MEAN CHALLENGES OF THE NEW MENU INTERFACE (THAT WE CAN'T PREVIEW)...?