question about trial version of Sony DVD Architect

[spressman]

Hi all.

I've just downloaded the trial version of Sony DVD Architect 4.5, which is my first experience with the software. I generally understand how it works, but I'm wondering if the trial version allows for things like fading in/out of menu buttons and keyframing button motion. I found a tutorial on YouTube for fading buttons in and out, but the options don't seem to appear on the trial version. Or maybe I'm just doing it wrong.

I'm sure I'll go ahead and purchase the software (in which case, I'm also sure I'll buy Steve G's book). But I just wanted to make sure that it's capable of things like fading and keyframing text and menu buttons.

thanks,
steve

[Bobby]

HI Steve. I never spent much time with the trial, so I can't answer your question.

But keyframing is something that I don't think DVDSA does (at least I haven't found it ). But I am not sure of what effect you are trying to achieve. Generally you can have some video before the menu and then the menu itself. The menu buttons in the menu itself tend to be static, except that you can control the highlighting when the user selects that button.

Please post that tutorial so I can take a look at it, and perhaps some more info on the effect you are trying to do.

[Steve Grisetti]

I agree with Bobby. Keyframing and transitions like fade out -- at least not as they exist in Premiere Elements -- are not a part of DVD Architect Studio.

[spressman]

Here's the YouTube clip I found that shows how to fade in menu buttons in DVD Architect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc3GaZ0CXvs

I was under the impression that DVD Architect allows for things like text (as well as menu buttons) to both fade in and move on the screen. What I'm trying to create, for example, is an opening menu page where the main title will fade in and perhaps begin on the right side of the screen and then move across until it's centered on the screen -- effects like that. Ditto for titles and menu buttons, say, on a "bonus features" page.

Is it possible that effects of that nature are only possible using the pro version of either DVD Architect or another comparable DVD authoring program?

thanks,
steve

[Bobby]

I don't have my video PC running right now, but that feature looks like something only in the Pro version, which I have no familiarity with.

Any animation, etc. I have done was by creating the entire effect in PRE, exporting the AVI, and then using that AVI as a video before the menu, or as a menu background.

EDIT: I fergot, when dealing with DVDSA I export as .MOV, I think. Again, I don't have the proper PC on and I am in and out today, but I think it is MOV.

We need a DVD Architect person!

[spressman]

Thanks, Bobby. I'll play around with creating AVI files in PE and using those for background in DVD Architect. That probably will achieve at least most of what I'm trying to accomplish (though I'd still like to figure out those fade-in buttons!).

best,
steve

[Steve Grisetti]

Yep. Crop & Adjust is not a tool on the Studio version.