Motion Menu with custom clips?

[chaosnovaxz]

Hi guys, I just wanted to ask if there are some programs out there that let you create motion menus that allow you to choose the clip played in the preview window/thumbnail area. I seem to remember a long time ago using Ulead DVD Movie Factory 3, and it letting me do this, but I can't seem to find it anymore. I've tried Movie Factory 5, VideoStudio 11, and DVD Workshop, and all of them don't give me any other option than to preview 30 seconds from the beginning. Is there anything I'm overlooking in those programs, or is there no way to choose the clip shown? If not, some other program suggestions would be great. Thanks!

[DB83]

You can do it in DVD Workshop but you have to create additional short clips just for the menu and import these into the timeline.

Once you have the menu you drag the full-length clip on to the playlist and delete the short clip from the playlist.

[zoobie]

you can select where the 30 seconds starts in MF

[chaosnovaxz]

Where's the option in MF? And thanks for the Workshop tip!

Edit: As I was looking through the Movie Factory help file, I found this:

"When Motion menu is selected, the movie will use the beginning part of the video at a fixed duration instead of the first video frame as button thumbnails. The duration of motion menus range from 1 to 30 seconds. "

So apparently it has to play from the beginning? How did you choose your start point in MF?

[zoobie]

what version?
I went to a middle of a clip to start so I know it can be done
I don't have it installed right now
I think I used 4

[chaosnovaxz]

I'm using 5. I guess they've taken it out, because I remember using Version 3 or 4 and being able to do that.

[tinker]

I am not sure if you want to invest in other software since you have one already, but it would be worth to check DVD Lab. You can create motion menu or just a small window within the menu with motion right from your video within that software. You can set duration and the way video start in window plus other. They have 30 day trial for software fully functional.

[GeorgeW]

I'm using 5. I guess they've taken it out, because I remember using Version 3 or 4 and being able to do that.

What happens when you double-click the thumbnail button

Regards,
George

[chaosnovaxz]

It justs brings up a window with which I can resize it and various other things, I've scoured the options multiple times, nothing about setting the clip start point.

[dadrab]

DVDLab Pro will do it for sure.

I used it last night to do just you want.

[marioval]

TDA3 lets you easily choose the start point for your motion thumbnails.

[vin4evr]

Try Encore DVD CS3

[GeorgeW]

Are you using a "Thumbnail" Menu? If so, if I double-click the thumbnail (in MF4 and MF6 at least), it should bring up a window to select the starting point...

Regards,
George

[chaosnovaxz]

I think I might try DVD Lab again. I used it once before and had a bit if trouble figuring out what I was doing at all. I got it to halfway work in MF 4 now. I can select the start point, but when I preview what my menus will look like, they still play from the beginning.

Edit: Alright, so Ulead 3 isn't working much either; it insists I play from the beginning. So could someone maybe give me a link or briefly explain to me how to get motion thumbnails in DVDLab?

[zoobie]

in 4, try saving it, closing it, and reopening it
you're getting close...

[dadrab]

So could someone maybe give me a link or briefly explain to me how to get motion thumbnails in DVDLab?

After building the menu, click on the "wand" and go to "create motion menu" (or words to that effect). A new window will open showing your first linked clip. Use the slider to go to where you want the motion to start and set how long you want the motion to run. You'll need to set the start point of the first thumbnail for sure. I should be the start of the movie and will probably be black. Just click on each thumbnail you want to set the clip start place on and set it.

Render.

[chaosnovaxz]

Thanks for the info! I'll make sure to try that tonight.