Trial DVD Author 2.0

[cobra jet]

I am currently testing the trial version of DVD author 2.0. I have one ten min MPEG file that I converted using MainConcept. Using DVD Author, I placed four chapter points in the clip. I would like to have one Top Menu page and one Track page which I am able to do. The problem I am having is that I have only found one template (Pop Wide) that has a Track Selector button that allows me to click on it from the Top Menu page and go down to the Track page. That template is very limited it what I can do with it. Is there an easy way to add a button to the Top Menu page that will take you to the Track page?
Thanks

[cobra jet]

Anyone have any thoughts at all?

[laspis59]

Its easy to get to the track menu from the top menu.You can customise your menus and dont have to use templates.
Play about with the tool some more and you'll soon get the hang of using the full potential of it.

Good Luck.

[cobra jet]

I have played around with it for hours. I started out using the custom menus first. I was never able to add my own “Track Selector” button that would take me directly to the Track Page. I have everything setup the way I want it using a custom menu that I created. The only thing that is missing is to be able to make a Track Selector button. I know how to add a text item or picture item, but how to I make that item take me to where I want to go instead of just being a simple test or picture item?

[cobra jet]

Can anyone out there tell me how to do this? I was hoping to come to a decision on the three different software apps I am testing before my trail period is over. I am beginning to wonder if no one is responding because it is too easy. Perhaps I should repost under the Newbie section.

[BobK]

Do you have more than one track? If not, you can still have a top menu and a track menu (although I don't see why you'd want both).

I've just tried using several menu templates and also creating a custom menu with a top and track menu. All the top menus have a track selector button to go to the track menu, although it's not a "button" like the "Play All" button. It's the same as the chapter selectors on the track menus. Is that the problem you're describing- that you can select the track menu, but it's not a "button"?

[Wile_E]

As BobK said, the top menu always points to the track menu(chapter selection). The full version of the software has more templates. But you don't need pre-built templates. Just choose custom template and make sure the option to show "top and track menu" is selected.

[Scorpion King]

If a button is what you are trying to create then that is easy, sort of that is. In photoshop create a new photo with a transparent background. You can then add anything like text, drawing, etc, etc, onto this transparent photo file. Save it as a .psd file. Click on one of the programs buttons and select your new transparent photo to replace one of the hot items in Author like a button or a thumbnail.

Hope this helps..

[cobra jet]

Thanks to all who replied. You are correct in that I have a thumbnail on my main page that will take me to the track page. I just thought it might be easer for people to click on a button that would take them to the track menu. I got the idea when I was testing DVD Lab Studio. In that program, you make a text item and then drop the item for the sub-menu on top of your text and the link is created. DVD LAB Studio seems like a great program but it is a bit too complicated for my needs.
Scorpion King: Your suggestion worked, but the only problem I had with that was I need to keep the psd file over the thumbnail (which I want to keep) in order for it to work.

[BobK]

I just thought it might be easer for people to click on a button that would take them to the track menu.

You can do that too. Just select a customized menu and select a top menu that uses text 'buttons' instead of thumbnails. When you edit the menu, that 'button' will read "Track 1"- you just edit it to read whatever you want.

[Scorpion King]

That is correct cobra, you will haft to 'replace' the thumbnail ( or any hot link ) with your created transparent photoshop file. Sorry.

Good luck.

[laspis59]

You can do that too. Just select a customized menu and select a top menu that uses text 'buttons' instead of thumbnails. When you edit the menu, that 'button' will read "Track 1"- you just edit it to read whatever you want.

Exactly.

[cobra jet]

Thanks again to all who responded. With your help, I was able I was able find what I was looking for. I just purchased DVD author 2.0 since it did everything I needed.