make custom Button shapes with DVD Architect

August 24 , 2017
use mspaint , to make Black and White shapes ,
( 24 bit images work just fine )
for use as button cut outs ,...similar to "Cookie Cutter"
.PSD images can be used ( DVDA can access the individual Layers ) .
Photoshop NOT required .

DVDA does NOT have TIme Line editing ,...instead ,
when image assets are applied to a button in "Button Properties"
Transparency or Alpha or Intensity is applied , for Compositing the overlay .

the Time Line does have a few uses :

1.
place M markers for Chapter Points ( Red markers )
2.
Loop point In\Out can be set on the Time Line ( Green marker )
3.
keyframe diamonds are visible in the Time Line area
( set keyframes in the "Pan and Crop" dialogue )
to animate button motion .

24 images for this tutorial

DVD Architect

( later , in this tutorial , we will replace ALL of the button images
with a Video , to make a "Video Thumbnail button" )
We could continue to Mask the video in the button , but typically we would
want the video to play in a full rectangular button .
( kind of like a "View Port" )
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5 images are needed to make a Full set of assets ,
to custamize one Thumbnail Button :

2 full color images*
3 black and white Mask images

button background image ( full color )*
button background Mask image ( black and white , gray scale )
button frame image ( Picture Frame ) ( full color )*
button frame Mask image ( black and white , gray scale )
button Highlight Mask image ( black and white , gray scale )
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here are 3 image assets , used for making a custom Thumbnail Button :
i am NOT using the Picture Frame
i am NOT using the Picture Frame Mask.
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button background , image
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button background , mask image
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button Highlight , mask image
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next ,
we could remove the Button's background image and remove the Buttons's
background Mask image , while Keeping the Buttons's Highlight Mask image .
this will make the Button "Invisible" . When we Navigate to this button , it will light up
with only the Out Line Shape . To make the button usable , we add Basiic Text
for the label . A "Paint Brush Swipe" can be used for the Button Highlight Mask image .
then our menu looks like the "Swipe" shape is being used ,
as we Navigate from "text label to text label" ie: "button to button ."
Each button needs to have it's own text label using "Basic Text" .
i have seen Commercial DVD's use this technique .
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Wood Grain Frame ( Picture Frame ) , image
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the "Highlight Mask" is also used for as the "picture Frame Mask" ( two uses )
Here is a Full Screen shot of the menu . the Right side button is Selected ( Highlighted )
but NOT clicked ,... the right button has only been Navigated to .
overall , this uses 4 images , and not 5 , because the Highlight Mask is used Twice .
once for the Highlight Mask, and once for the Frame Mask .
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Tips :
watch the menu of the Movie disk : "Devil's Pond" , Tera Reid actor
this can be built in the video editor . mask a video behind a still image .
allow the video to play on the top part ( behind the still image ).
Now , in DVDA , set this composite video
as the Menu Background asset,...too easy .

watch the menu of the Movie disk : "Bullet Proof Monk"
lots of Video playing in the Thumbnail buttons .
DVDA can play video in Thumbnails too .

watch the menu of the Movie disk : "Boat Trip" Cuban gooding and Roger Moore ,
the movie ,...not so good , but the Menu was Very original .
watch where she places the banana . A hidden button is there .
lots of fun items to discover in this very unique menu .
The Menu was more fun then the movie !