how can i make transitions

[wan2no]

I would like to know how to create a transition from scratch? A transition such as a transition from a menu to movie or to another menu or a video clip to another or a video clip to a menu. Additionally, how would get the transition done if you had motion menus.

[guns1inger]

There are a couple of ways of authoring a disc with motion or still menus, and it depends on how your authoring programs works as to which method you will use. However the basics are the same regardless. It all starts in your editing application.

For the purposes of the following explanations I will assume you know how to use your editor. Most NLEs (non-linear editors) will allow you to drag a still image out to create a clip of a defined length, or allow you to set the length in the properties for the image. Consult your help file to work out to use your editor. (Note : Virtualdub IS NOT a non-linear editor). The same goes for adding transitions and effects.

1. Simple Still menu to still menu transition

Add your first menu still to the timeline and set it to the required length. Add your second still image (menu 2) to the timeline and set it to the required length. Add a transition between the two stills. Output the video ready for authoring.

In your authoring application, create menu 1, with a button that leads to the next menu. Link this to the transition video you created earlier. Link the end of the clip to menu 2. Done. When the user selects the next menu, the transitions plays, and the next menu loads. Because the clip is made from the two stills used for menus, the transitions appears to be between the two states. Note : you will have to create transitions between every menu and/or clip that you want to work like this. This could mean making many clips.

2. Simple motion to motion.

This is a very simple motion menu to motion menu effect, and is not a seamless transition because of the way the DVD spec is created. Create the motion clips that will sit behind the menus first. Then, as with the still menu transition (see previous example), create a transition between the two clips. Author your motion menu 1 using clip one, link the button for the next menu to the transition clip, and the end of the transition clip to the next motion menu (2). Done. The problem with this method is that motion menus loop, and will break off the moment the user presses the button. This means the transition between the ends of the two clips may occur at the middle of the first clip. Not smooth, but many commercial discs do this anyway. Also note, again, many transition clips may be required.

3. Simple motion - still - motion still.

This method is smoother, although not as flashy. You create a motion transition into a still menu, have a motion transition from the first menu to the second (still) menu. While you don't get motion menus, you do get smooth state transitions instead of the action breaking off half way through. Also simple to author.

4. Complex motion menus.

These are only supported by a few authoring tools. DVD Lab Pro is one of them. You create a motion menu that is a single clip from the start of the motion, through the transition into the menu, and a section of looping video that is the menu itself. This then becomes the entire menu clip. By using cells (think chapter points, but in the menu) you can set a marker that says I will play the video through to the end, but instead of looping back to the beginning, I will only loop back to the marker. It looks something like this :

|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
Start Motion intro clip Loop Marker Motion menu

The advantage is a very smooth transition between the intro clip and the menu. If you are really smart, you can add a third cell that has the outro that leads to the next clip or menu as well. You get a fast switch over because you are still inside the one asset, not loading new clips. However to get these working really smoothly you also need to be able to do some coding inside the DVD structure as well.

The key to any of this is planning. You need to understand, before you begin, just how the menus will work, and what clips, stills and transitions you will need. You can then create these and assemble your menus as you see fit. Actual transitions are just a few mouse clicks in an editor. Making it look good takes planning and skill.

[wan2no]

thanks for the advice; however, i do not think that i explained myself properly.

I actually meant creating a custom transition as in instead of using the transitions the program already provide you. I have DVD Labpro; I am getting tired have the page turn from one menu to the other. I actually wanted to create a transition where I create a character and have him pushing the page over one menu and uncovering the other.

Other than that, can you explain

Start Motion intro clip Loop Marker Motion menu

I find that very interesting as well. Do you mean instead of loading other clips, i can just use one clip and section it off so that each menu plays a particular part of the movie? If so, do you have any tutorials or can you point me in the right direction to do this? This approach seems alot more efficient that using mutiple clips

thanks in advance

[guns1inger]

Again, you do it in your editor by playing it out. In the case of a character crossing from one menu to another you would need green screen footage of the actor, or using something like After Effects to rotomask the character so you can create the effect. Don't think of it as a transition. It isn't that until you author the disc. Until then it is simply another piece of video footage. Many videos have a page turn effect built in. If yours doesn't then you will have to find a way to create one using the tools you have.

If you have DLP, look up Menu Cells in the help files, as this is the method I was talking about. Basic cells can be set up easily for simple looping. If you want to then return to the menu section only with the highlight where you previous were then you will have to do some coding. Seach the mediachance forums as there are several good posts and examples on the subject.