Customizing the menu templates with images and text


    You can customize the templates included with Adobe® Encore DVD by adding your own images and text to quickly create unique menus and buttons. Rather than create your navigational elements from scratch, just select a template you like and tweak it until you achieve the perfect look and feel for your DVD. This tutorial will show you how to replace a background image and edit text from within Adobe Encore DVD.

1. Open and prepare the template.

    Select the menu you want in the Library palette and then click the New Menu icon at the bottom of the palette. Adobe Encore DVD creates the menu and opens it in the Menu Editor window. Delete the background layer by selecting it and then choosing Edit > Clear. If you're working with a template that includes multiple background layers, you can either replace them all or replace specific layers. You can use the eye icon to determine the contents of each layer by turning it on and off and viewing the results in the Menu Editor window. (See Understanding the Layers palette.)

2. Import the image you want and paste it into the menu.

    Import the image asset you want to use as the new background for your menu (preferably one that is already the correct frame size for your project) and then copy the image from the Project tab. Select the Menu Editor window and then activate the Layers palette. Paste the image. If you're replacing a layer within a layer set, select a layer within that set before you paste. (See Understanding importing assets.)

3. Replace the menu's background layer with the image.

    In the Layers palette, select the layer you just pasted and then choose Object > Arrange > Send to Back to make your image the background. You may need to resize the layer to fit the screen. When resizing the image, you can hold down the Shift key as you drag to constrain its proportions and hold down the Alt key to keep the image centered. (See Manipulating menu objects.)

4. Edit the text.

    Use the text tool to select the text in the menu and then type your new text. If you want to reformat the text's properties, such as font, size, and color, you can use the text tool to change only specific characters or you can use the selection tool to select multiple text blocks and edit them all at once. (See Selecting and formatting text.)

5. Edit the button's background

    If you want to change the background image for a button, delete the button's background and then repeat steps 2-3. Make sure to change the button's layers instead of the menu's layers. You'll need to highlight the button's layer set and select one of its layers before you can paste an image into the button.

    By customizing the artist-designed templates, you can add your own personal touches to create professional DVDs quickly and efficiently. To add your customized menu to the Library palette for future use, rename it in the Project tab (right-click the menu name and choose Rename). Drag the new menu from the Project tab to the Library palette.