Adobe Encore CS3 questions & answers

To create your own DVD game menu in Adobe Encore CS3 or CS6, follow these steps:

1. 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'.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.