To create your own DVD game menu in Adobe Encore CS3 or CS6, follow these steps:
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Design Your Menu in Photoshop:
- Create a new Photoshop project with the appropriate dimensions for a DVD menu; typically 720x480 pixels for NTSC or 720x576 pixels for PAL.
- Design your menu layout, including buttons and graphics. Use layer sets for each button, ensuring you include layers for different button states like 'Normal', 'Selected', and 'Activated'.
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Import Assets into Encore:
- Open Adobe Encore.
- Use the 'File' menu to import your Photoshop project as a menu. Adobe Encore will read your layer sets as buttons automatically.
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Linking Assets and Navigation:
- Import any video/content assets you want to include in your DVD.
- Drag these assets into the timeline to create content sections.
- Use the 'Menu' panel to set button routing. Highlight a button, and in the Properties panel, specify what happens when the button is selected (e.g., play a certain timeline or jump to another menu).
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Add Interactivity:
- If incorporating game-like elements, you'll need to rely on timelines and button navigation creatively since Adobe Encore focuses primarily on media playback rather than complex game logic.
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Preview and Test:
- Use the 'Preview' button in Encore to simulate how your DVD will work in a DVD player. Test all button routes and timelines to ensure proper functionality.
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Build the DVD:
- Once satisfied, finalize your project by using the 'Build' panel to create a DVD image or burn it directly to a disc.
Remember that Adobe Encore has limitations in creating fully interactive games, but it can handle simple menu navigation and branching.
