How Do You Apply a Style/Template to an Entire Project?

[Nirohere]

I shot six hours of widescreen video in Hawaii in February when my wife and I were fortunate enough to take our fourth trip there. Camera used was a new Sony with a 30gb HDD, which converts to mpegs.

 

I've finally edited the 199 clips I shot and last night began to burn them using Sonic MyDVD 4, which is the only thing I had.

 

After finishing the project and burning the DVD, the program crashed - losing my entire project (which I'd saved of course). Same thing happened three more times, so I came here looking for help. None was here for such an old app (which is absurd), so I purchased the version 9 download for $70.

 

I've spent the last seven hours creating just one of the 10 DVDs I need to burn, using this new version.

 

The reason is that I can't figure out how to apply a whole template to the entire project (as version 4 allowed). You know, easy stuff like having all of the titles & animated buttons use the same font/color/size, having the buttons auto-align so that you don't have to move them manually (which is virtually impossible with this stupid application, because you have to grab and drag them over and over again, because the "grab spot" never lets you put the button where you want to). Also, nice of them not to have asked if I wanted to burn it in widescreen so that I now have to do the whole thing again (because it burned in 4:3 aspect ratio).

 

The downloaded pdf manual gives no clue as to how to accomplish any of this and of course Roxio has no live tech support.

 

I should've bought this from Best Buy so I could just return it, because I couldn't be angrier.

 

PS: I'm using a killer media PC with 1gb of RAM so that's not the problem.

 

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Thanks in advance!

~Gary

[Nirohere]

Most manuals these days are jokes. They just aren't as in depth as they used to be. Mostly to save money I'm sure. But looks like the online Help files could be.

 

Personally, I prefer to do ALL editing in Videowave. Editing is more than just cutting and deleting. For example, your project:

 

When done then use MyDVD to create your menus, etc.

Create a new MyDVD project

Add the Videowave project file and rename the button 'Play All'.

COPY to the clipboard and then move it slightly

PASTE back. This second button, rename it 'Select Scenes'

Arrange the two buttons and the RIGHT click on the 'scenes' button and choose 'Edit Chapters'

Add a Chapter Mark MANUALLY at each spot where the clips start or the text that intros that clip. Make sure the 'create submenus' is checked. Click OK when done.

 

You now have a Main Menu with a Play All and a button that takes to you the clips.

 

That's really perfect, Gary -- thanks!

 

I did have a few problems though (shocked, right?)...

 

First I renamed all of my files (that would be the sixth time now) and moved the files which were similar to separate folders.

 

Adding the blank page and animated text were great tips so thanks! Not that easy to do the first time, lots of use of the Help files but still great.

 

But while creating the VideoWave project for the first DVD it turned out I had moved one file there which wasn't part of the scenes I wanted. I moved that file back to the proper folder. So when I saved the project, it told me the file wasn't there (of course) and gave me the option of skipping the file. But then it didn't really do that, saying it couldn't save the project without the file. After several attempts to skip the file I gave in and moved the file back.

 

I'm not sure what "Add the Videowave project file and rename the button 'Play All'" means as I couldn't figure out how to do that. When I added it in and renamed the button it didn't seem to do anything.

 

I was able to copy the project in so I could create the menus, buttons etc. for the separate files (whose filenames are still too long even at 10 characters, which is actually pretty short). Because of the now way-shortened filenames still being too long, the buttons were still on top of one another.

 

So I'll have to redo it all again (if fir no other reason than to remove the file I erroneously added -- but seriously: if the app says "SKIP THIS FILE" it should SKIP THE #$^@ FILE -- I'm now 35 or so hours in with no DVD.

 

We're headed for FLA tomorrow so I'll try again Tuesday

 

Again, thanks for all of your assistance!

 

~gary

[ggrussell]

Only 35 hrs? I've been working on my nephew's 10th anniversary DVD for a month. Waiting on some more still images on a CD so I can do other things right now while I'm waiting.

This is what I meant:

You should be able to rename the chapter buttons to something more descriptive.

[Nirohere]

A bit impatient? This is a user to user forum and we aren't here 24/7. We VOLUNTEER.

 

We need to know WHICH version you purchased. MyDVD 9 Studio has only 3 menu styles. I believe the 'Premier' has the full 34 or so that is included in the EMC Suite. Personally, I prefer to create my own and hardly every use those provided.

 

With all your computer experience, you should know that you learn how the program works. NOT try to make a program work the way you think it should. You'll get nowhere fast.

 

If you have purchased MyDVD 9 Studio, I believe that option is not available. It is available in the MyDVD 9 Premier and EMC Suite.

 

When adding video to the MAIN MENU, they are treated as individual MOVIES and will always return to the main menu. Just like a commercial DVD. You can change that behavior, but then you run the risk of confusing the viewer trying to navigate the menus.

 

My apologies for being impatient -- you're right, I was being an idiot. I truly appreciate the help.

 

I have MyDVD Studio Premier.

 

We concur that I should learn how the program works as opposed to making it fit my needs -- that said, this doesn't even do what Version 4 did intuitively. And the manual is pure BS, making it impossible to even LEARN how it works.

 

Example: Button names tell absolutely nothing about the buttons themselves.

 

And any application which automatically places the buttons on top of one another -- which no user would EVER do -- makes no sense.

 

I only wish I'd bought this at Best Buy so I could return it. Total waste of $70.00.

 

Thanks again.

 

~Gary

[Nirohere]

Only 35 hrs? I've been working on my nephew's 10th anniversary DVD for a month. Waiting on some more still images on a CD so I can do other things right now while I'm waiting.

This is what I meant:

You should be able to rename the chapter buttons to something more descriptive.

 

You're scaring me now with the "one month" comment since I have a minimum of seven more of these DVDs to burn

 

But I'm still confused about the "Copy/Paste the PLAY ALL Button"...

[malatekid]

For DVD authoring, MyDVD (a program in the Easy Media Creator 9) has 32 template styles. It also allows you to create a customized one.

[ggrussell]

The reason is that I can't figure out how to apply a whole template to the entire project (as version 4 allowed). You know, easy stuff like having all of the titles & animated buttons use the same font/color/size, having the buttons auto-align so that you don't have to move them manually (which is virtually impossible with this stupid application, because you have to grab and drag them over and over again, because the "grab spot" never lets you put the button where you want to).

~Gary

When you add a movie file the buttons are prearranged according to the menu style you chose. You can also change the menu style at any time and it will change ALL BUTTONS, BACKGROUNDS and Thumbnails to match the new style. It's a no brainer and you shoudn't need the manual for that.

[ggrussell]

If you follow my instructions step by step, it will it make more sense when you do it. When you 'copy' the button created by adding a video file, it doesn't copy the video file. Just the info that links TO the video file. Technically, you are creating two buttons that link to the same file. One button just plays the file. The other button then jumps to a submenu to select the chapters.

[Nirohere]

If you follow my instructions step by step, it will it make more sense when you do it. When you 'copy' the button created by adding a video file, it doesn't copy the video file. Just the info that links TO the video file. Technically, you are creating two buttons that link to the same file. One button just plays the file. The other button then jumps to a submenu to select the chapters.

 

I did follow your instructions step-by-step (printed them out), but I'll try it again when I get back ;}

[Nirohere]

When you add a movie file the buttons are prearranged according to the menu style you chose. You can also change the menu style at any time and it will change ALL BUTTONS, BACKGROUNDS and Thumbnails to match the new style. It's a no brainer and you shoudn't need the manual for that.

 

Appreciate the reply.

 

Ummmm... it might be a "no-brainer," but maybe I didn't explain my problem correctly:

 

There are only three menu styles with this app (version 4 had five). When you pick the one with the palm trees and import, say, 30 files, it doesn't create animated buttons at all -- just text buttons. So when you import animated buttons (which is extremely poorly explained in the app) it changes all of the text to overlapping animated buttons -- each of which have to be then edited individually for font/color/size etc. and then dragged across the screen individually. That latter process, btw, is ludicrous, as you can't just grab the icon and move it: you have to do it again and again, grabbing at the top, then the side, then the bottom, then the other side ad nauseum. This can take up to one minute per button! Ditto the HOME, TITLE and LEFT & Right buttons.

 

Then you go to the next page and have to do the same. My 1st project has five such pages, with six more projects to go just to finish the Hawaii trip.

 

I'd be amazed if there isn't something to fix this but I'd be gratefule if you could explain how.

 

PS: I'm fairly accomplished with PCs and photo-editing via the last four versions of PhotoShop so I know it's not me not understanding a supposedly complex application.

 

Thanks.

~g

[Nirohere]

Deloeting post due to my being an idiot

[Nirohere]

PS: How do I have all of the videos play in succession -- rather than returning me to the main menu after each plays?

[ggrussell]

A bit impatient? This is a user to user forum and we aren't here 24/7. We VOLUNTEER.

 

We need to know WHICH version you purchased. MyDVD 9 Studio has only 3 menu styles. I believe the 'Premier' has the full 34 or so that is included in the EMC Suite. Personally, I prefer to create my own and hardly every use those provided.

 

With all your computer experience, you should know that you learn how the program works. NOT try to make a program work the way you think it should. You'll get nowhere fast.

 

PS: How do I have all of the videos play in succession -- rather than returning me to the main menu after each plays?

If you have purchased MyDVD 9 Studio, I believe that option is not available. It is available in the MyDVD 9 Premier and EMC Suite.

 

When adding video to the MAIN MENU, they are treated as individual MOVIES and will always return to the main menu. Just like a commercial DVD. You can change that behavior, but then you run the risk of confusing the viewer trying to navigate the menus.

[grandpabruce]

(Snip)

 

Appreciate the reply.

 

Ummmm... it might be a "no-brainer," but maybe I didn't explain my problem correctly:

 

There are only three menu styles with this app (version 4 had five).

 

I have no clue what version of EMC 9 that you have, but I open MyDVD, click on Change Menu Style, and I get 32 styles to choose from. Maybe you forgot to install the Content.

[ggrussell]

...this doesn't even do what Version 4 did intuitively. And the manual is pure BS, making it impossible to even LEARN how it works.

MyDVD 9 has little in common with MyDVD 4. MyDVD 4 is a previous Sonic Solutions application. MyDVD 9 is based on the previous Roxio product which was renamed after the merger. Besides the manual, there are tutorials. Also check out the Tips & tricks forum. There are a few tutorials made by one of us.

 

Example: Button names tell absolutely nothing about the buttons themselves.

No idea what you mean. Home, Next, Previous do exactly what the name implies. Are you saying you can't figure out what the little icons mean?

 

And any application which automatically places the buttons on top of one another -- which no user would EVER do -- makes no sense.

Sounds more like a problem. That shouldn't happen. The only time I had something like that is adding a file that had a really LONG filename. Personally, I would rather MyDVD default to NOT using the filename so I just have to deal with it. There is limited space for text, but you can change the text size to get more under a button. The buttons should automatically align according to the menu style you chose. For example, the first file you add will be 'movie 1' and should default to be the first played. Second file should be 'movie 2', etc. If you move the buttons around, it DOES NOT change the order of play. Moving the buttons could cause some navigation confusion.

[Nirohere]

I have no clue what version of EMC 9 that you have, but I open MyDVD, click on Change Menu Style, and I get 32 styles to choose from. Maybe you forgot to install the Content.

 

Hi Bruce ~

 

My content.exe file was corrupt so that in fact explained my having only 3 styles - thanks!

[Nirohere]

MyDVD 9 has little in common with MyDVD 4.

 

--Yeah, I realize that: the latter was a pretty small app but very intuitive.

 

No idea what you mean. Home, Next, Previous do exactly what the name implies. Are you saying you can't figure out what the little icons mean?

 

--What I meant was that the button names give no idea as to their style (the icons for the movie buttons, not the Home, Next etc.). They have names like Spring, Spring, Spring and so on -- without telling the difference. Again, the manual explains none of this.

 

Sounds more like a problem. That shouldn't happen. The only time I had something like that is adding a file that had a really LONG filename.

 

--Gary, you have nailed it! That's exactly the problem (again, not even mentioned in the manual but that's it)! My filenames are long for this project because I have 199 (very) short films shot in Hawaii -- some as short as 30 seconds. So my filenames explain the content of each clip.

 

--PS: This is also why I need each of the separate movies to play continuously (without returning me to the main menu each time). The entire project will be six or seven DVDs of 25-30 clips each, which is why the buttons were a problem -- when they overlapped it was impossible to move them due to the length of the text.

 

--Thanks for solving that problem!

 

--In an earlier post you mentioned that seamless play might confuse the viewer. I concur when making a "normal" DVD but this is a really special project because I have so many clips. This won't be the case for future projects

 

--I still think this is a weak application compared to earlier versions, and the manual is just a joke.

 

--But thank you again for all of your help!

 

~Gary

[ggrussell]

Most manuals these days are jokes. They just aren't as in depth as they used to be. Mostly to save money I'm sure. But looks like the online Help files could be.

 

I'm not sure if one or two words could properly describe a button's style. I'm sure it refers to the 'menu style' that the buttons were originally designed. The option to 'mix and match' any button with any style was just introduced with EMC 8 Deluxe. Sounds like a good suggestion for future versions to have more descriptive button names.

 

There are many ways to do what you want, but you may need to rethink the approach. Instead of having all those individuals clips on the Main Menu and additional 'main menus', why not have two simple buttons? One button that plays all and then a button to select individual clips (or scenes). This is more like a commercial DVD that people are used to navigating.

 

Personally, I prefer to do ALL editing in Videowave. Editing is more than just cutting and deleting. For example, your project:

 

Open Videowave and create a project that fits the video (4:3 / 16:9 etc).

I like doing things orderly, but I usually change my mind somewhere along the process.

Add the first few clips. Do you want transitions when playing 'all'? Your choice. Add a color panel and some text to help introduce the scene like:

Our Trip To Hawaii 01/01/2007 (or whatever)

Animate the text or something to make it interesting and transition into the video.

Add the next clips, etc., etc., etc.....

SAVE the Videowave project regularly just in case...

 

When done then use MyDVD to create your menus, etc.

Create a new MyDVD project

Add the Videowave project file and rename the button 'Play All'.

COPY to the clipboard and then moe it slightly

PASTE back. This second button, rename it 'Select Scenes'

Arrange the two buttons and the RIGHT click on the 'scenes' button and choose 'Edit Chapters'

Add a Chapter Mark MANUALLY at each spot where the clips start or the text that intros that clip. Make sure the 'create submenus' is checked. Click OK when done.

 

You now have a Main Menu with a Play All and a button that takes to you the clips.