DVDA 4.5c and PSD

[Adam Rose esq.]

search for Layered Graphics Files in the help

🙂

[Alex Semenov]

Thanks. I tried that too :), in DVDA Help menue. It finds something about using single layered files. There is nothing about PSD multi layered files. What am I missing?

[Mike Kujbida]

Not sure if it’ll help but here’s what’s in the DVDA 5.0 online help under Layered Menu Graphics..
BTW, this is (or was) a free upgrade to registered DVDA 4.5 users.

Edit: this is in the DVDA 4.5 manual starting on page 120.

Creating Custom Menus and Buttons Using Layered PSD Graphics

For the ultimate in control over the appearance of your menus, you can create custom menus using your favorite graphics application and import the .psd file as a menu.

To create a menu with background media, thumbnails, and masks in a layered .psd file, use the procedures described in this help topic.

This topic assumes an understanding of how masks are used in DVD Architect Pro software.

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What do you want to learn more about?
Layer naming requirements
DVD Architect Pro software will determine which layers will be used for each part of a menu based on the layer name in your .psd file using the following format: Type-ID-Subtype-Name

Layer names cannot contain spaces.

Type
Indicates the contents of the layer:

background
Used for menu background images and menu highlight masks.

button
Used for button images and masks.

ID
A numeric identifier that is used to represent related items. For example, the layers used to create button 1 in your menu would be named as follows:

button-01-thumbnail
button-01-thumbnailmask
button-01-frame

The button ID also determines a menu’s button order: button-01 will be the first button, button-02 will be the second button, and so on.

Subtype
Indicates the type of image contained in the layer.

thumbnail
A layer containing a thumbnail image for a menu or button. Can be abbreviated tmb.

thumbnailmask
A layer containing a button’s thumbnail mask. Can be abbreviated tmbmsk.

highlight
A layer containing a highlight mask for a menu background or button. Can be abbreviated hlt.

By default, a highlight layer uses color channel mapping to determine transparency. If you want to specify the mapping mode, use the following subtypes: highlightrgb, highlightintensity (can be abbreviated highlightint), or highlighttransparency (can be abbreviated highlighttrans or hlttrans).

frame
A layer containing a button frame. Can be abbreviated frm.

framemask
Can be abbreviated frmmsk.

Name
An optional label for an object. Use Up, Back, Prev, and Next to identify layers that are used to create navigation buttons.

For example, a layer named button-04-highlightintensity-back would be used to define the highlight mask for the fourth button on a menu. Transparency is determined using intensity mapping, and the button will be imported as the Back button.

Creating a layered .psd menu
The following procedure will demonstrate how to create this menu using a layered .psd file that contains the menu background, buttons, and related mask images on separate layers.

In general, try to avoid making major changes (such as adding, removing, or renaming layers) after you’ve created a menu using a .psd file. If you edit and save a menu’s .psd file while working with your DVD Architect Pro project, DVD Architect Pro software will release the file when it loses focus and reload the .psd when focus is restored to the DVD Architect Pro window. Depending on the changes you make to the .psd file, the following will occur:

If you change the contents of a layer, the corresponding object’s image will be updated when you restore focus to the DVD Architect Pro window.

If you add a layer with an invalid name, the layer is ignored.

If you add a layer, the layer is not detected until you choose Reapply Layout from File from the Edit menu.

If you remove a layer, the corresponding object’s image will be removed.

If you rename a layer to an invalid name, the corresponding object’s image will be removed.

If you rename a layer to a valid name, the object corresponding to the previous layer name will be taken offline. The object associated with the new layer name is added when you choose Reapply Layout from File from the Edit menu.

In your image-editing application, start a new image.

Your image size should match the height of the output format frame size, and the width should include compensation for the output format’s pixel aspect ratio:

Output Format
Aspect Ratio
Menu Size

4:3 NTSC (720×480)

.9091
655×480

Widescreen NTSC (720×480)

1.2121
873×480

4:3 PAL (720×576)

1.0926
787×576

Widescreen PAL (720×576)

1.4568
1049×576

1280×720
1.0
1280×720

1440×1080
1.3333
1920×1080

1920×1080
1.0
1920×1080

Create layers for your menu background images:

a. Create a layer set named background-01-group (optional).

b. Create a layer named background-01 for the menu background. Static titles, images, and other background elements should be merged into this layer.

The woodgrain background and text were originally created on separate layers, but they were merged into a single layer.

c. Create a layer named background-01-highlight for the menu’s highlight mask (optional).

The red areas represent portions of the menu where highlighting will be applied.

If your .psd file will use button-specific highlight mask images, you can omit this layer.

Create layers for your button images. In the sample menu, the house-shaped button on the left is button-01.

a. Create a layer set named button-01-group (optional).

b. Create a layer named button-01-thumbnail for the main button image (optional).

The simple magenta field represents the button’s thumbnail image.

You can omit this layer if you plan to use the Media page in the Button Properties pane to assign a thumbnail. For example, you could use this method to use a title’s video as an animated or still thumbnail.

c. Create a layer named button-01-thumbnailmask for the button’s mask image (optional). The mask determines which part of the thumbnail will be visible inside the button.

The white area represents the portion of the thumbnail that will be visible in the button. The black area sets the size of the button and represents the portion of the thumbnail that is masked to allow the menu background to show through.

d. Create a layer named button-01-frame for the button’s frame image (optional). The frame image is displayed around the button.

The button frame is a wood-textured pentagon that was created using several layers that were merged to a single layer.

e. Create a layer named button-01-framemask for the frame’s mask image (optional). The frame mask determines which portion of the frame image will be visible.

The white area represents the portion of the frame that will be visible. The black area matches the size of the button (established in step C above) and represents the portion of the button that is masked to allow the menu background to show through.

f. Create a layer named button-01-highlight for the button’s highlight mask (optional). The highlight mask determines where highlighting will be applied when a button is selected or activated.

The button-01-framemask layer was duplicated and renamed to allow highlighting to be applied to the visible frame.

The white area represents the portion of the button that will be highlighted when the button is selected or activated. The gray area in the center will be partially highlighted.

If your .psd file will use a menu-specific highlight mask, you can omit this layer.

Repeat step 3 as needed, incrementing the ID for each button. In the sample menu, the house-shaped button on the right is button-02.

Create layers for navigation buttons as needed. In the sample menu, the arrow-shaped button in the bottom-right corner is button-03-group.

If you omit navigation button layers, empty buttons will be used.

a. Create a layer set named button-03-group (optional).

b. Create a layer named button-03-thumbnail-next for the main button image (optional).

Appending “next” to the end of the layer name tells DVD Architect Pro software that this layer is used for a next navigation button. Your menu could also include button-03-thumbnail-up, button-03-thumbnail-back, or button-03-thumbnail-prev.

The button is a wood-textured arrow that was created using several layers that were merged to a single layer.

You can omit this layer if you plan to use the Media page in the Button Properties pane to assign a thumbnail. For example, you could use this method to use a title’s video as an animated or still thumbnail.

c. Create a layer named button-03-thumbnailmask-next for the button’s mask image (optional). The mask determines which part of the thumbnail will be visible inside the button.

The white area represents the portion of the thumbnail that will be visible in the button. The black area sets the size of the button and represents the portion of the thumbnail that is masked to allow the menu background to show through.

d. Create a layer named button-03-highlight-next for the button’s highlight mask. The highlight mask determines where highlighting will be applied when a button is selected or activated.

The button-03-thumbnailmask-next layer was duplicated and renamed to restrict highlighting to the arrow.

The white area represents the portion of the button that will be highlighted when the button is selected or activated. The gray area in the center will be partially highlighted.

If your .psd file will use a menu-specific highlight mask, you can omit this layer.