Good graphics program to make menus?

[sdsumike619]

So i'm finding about about these multi layered psd files and how you can use them in DVD authoring...I'm no graphic designer by any means, but what program can I get that is somewhat user friendly that allows me to create these psd files (besides photoshop) I hate adobe products....Thanks in advance..

[guns1inger]

I am not a big fan of most Adobe products either, but nothing beats Photoshop. It is by far the best at what it does, and if you want 100% compliant psd files, it is the way to go.

Other alternatives include PaintShop Pro (now owned by Corel), Corel's Photopaint, and that's pretty much it. I don't know if Gimp can produce psd files, but it has an ugly interface and I have always found it to be unstable and unfriendly.


*edit* fixed typo caused by lack of sleep and excess of caffeine - and only a Canadian would care that it was mis-spelled *edit*

[non-linear]

Other alternatives include PaintShop Pro (now owned by Coral)

That company is actually called Corel, not Coral. It's the same company that sells the WordPerfect software.

[alsyed]

mediachance put out some good software, namely dvd lab pro, that has an excellent menu designer built into (its an authoring package btw), if you don't have that, they also have a standalone menu design package, that is quite indepth.

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdmenu/index.html

its called dvd menu studio.

[guns1inger]

I still prefer to use photoshop to prepare the menus, then import them into DLP. Usually there is so much graphics work to be done before hand anyway, that it is easier to just build it there and use in DLP afterwards. I actually find most of the effects and gfx features in DLP to be cheap and tacky looking, and these would be the least used parts of the program for me.

[lordsmurf]

Nothing beats Photoshop for still image work. Especially layered image work.

[alsyed]

well the guy doesnt' like adobe products and was asking about other products. I personally don't mind adobe, a few years ago i had differing opinions, but crawling up the steepish learning curves changed that. Paint shop pro is a pretty good imitator for the basics, and will suit a lower spec computer well.

[thecoalman]

Try Ulead Photoimpact..... Your working with DVD Workshop correct? It's propietary files integrate with it. You can even use it to customize the templates provided with DVDWS.

If you look around you can probably find the older versions dirt cheap. Look for versions 7 and up. There wasn't much change between 7 and 10. There is version 11 now but I haven't looked at it.

[Jester700]

Photoshop is the standard. Having said that, I'm cheap and Paint Shop Pro works well for me. The version 10 trial seems cool, but I dunno if I'll upgrade yet; still a couple of bugs I ran into.

[FulciLives]

mediachance put out some good software, namely dvd lab pro, that has an excellent menu designer built into (its an authoring package btw), if you don't have that, they also have a standalone menu design package, that is quite indepth.

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdmenu/index.html

its called dvd menu studio.

I've used DVD Menu Studio and for those that can USE Photoshop BUT are not that good at GRAPHICS (that would be me) I found DVD Menu Studio to be a godsend.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Josef Kneht]

So i'm finding about about these multi layered psd files and how you can use them in DVD authoring...I'm no graphic designer by any means, but what program can I get that is somewhat user friendly that allows me to create these psd files (besides photoshop) I hate adobe products....Thanks in advance..

Try to have a look here:
http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?f=50
and
http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?f=66

[mats.hogberg]

Just as with everything we do, it's not as much what to use, as what we do with it. If you're a good artist, I'm sure you can create a marvelous menu with oil on canvas + a digital camera.

/Mats

[sdsumike619]

mediachance put out some good software, namely dvd lab pro, that has an excellent menu designer built into (its an authoring package btw), if you don't have that, they also have a standalone menu design package, that is quite indepth.

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdmenu/index.html

its called dvd menu studio.

I've used DVD Menu Studio and for those that can USE Photoshop BUT are not that good at GRAPHICS (that would be me) I found DVD Menu Studio to be a godsend.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

This DVD Menu Studio looks pretty nice!! Sounds like it does exactly what I would want. My question for everyone is if it is compatible with importing into DVD Workshop 2? It lists several applications that it supports, but I don't see Ulead's product on there....?

[thecoalman]

This DVD Menu Studio looks pretty nice!! Sounds like it does exactly what I would want. My question for everyone is if it is compatible with importing into DVD Workshop 2? It lists several applications that it supports, but I don't see Ulead's product on there....?

That appears to be authoring program, I'd imagin you can only import files into it.

I'd suggest sticking with DVDWS, it's a very powerful program. Probably as good as your going to get without spending major $$$. Everthing has a learning curve... Download the photoimpact trial from Ulead or one of the other programs mentioned above and start experimenting.

If you want I can trhow up a quick guide to create a button...

[sdsumike619]

well i read the website on dvd menu studio and it looks like it's really easy to use because it's a graphics program geared toward creating nice looking menus for DVDs, whereas a program like photoshop isn't created for the sole purpose of creating dvd menus. obviously, in the hands of someone seasoned with the program, they can do whatever they want with it, but that isn't me and I don't have the time to devote to become that way... I know DVDWS2 CAN import photoshop files and this program says that it exports photoshop files sooooooooo, seems like the way to go?

Anyone else have experience with the program?