Section 17.2. Button Styles


17.2. Button Styles

When iDVD was first introduced, its flamboyant button thumbnails generated a lot of excitement. Each button could show a small video or photo, offering visual previews of the linked material.

Times have changed. These days, hyperactive drop zones zoom around the screen, and text buttons have quietly replaced the old button designs. In the 5.0 theme collection, not a single button can display videos or pictures.

If you choose one of the older themes for that reason, you don't have to be content with the proposed button style. To change the look of your buttons, do this:

  1. Open the Customize drawer , if it's not already open.

    Click the Customize button if necessary.

  2. Click the Themes icon.

    The Themes pane opens.

  3. From the pop-up menu, choose 4.0 Themes or Old Themes.

    These are the only themes that contain buttons-with-previews.

  4. Click a theme to see what it looks like.

    Choose one with non-text buttons, like Fish Two, Brushed Metal Two, or Green Linen Two.

  5. Click the Settings tab at the top of the Customize drawer.

    The Settings pane appears.

  6. Near the bottom of the panel, click the From Theme pop-up button.

    You get a pop-up menu of button shapes (Figure 17-1).

  7. Click the button style you want.

    Choices include gilded frames, file frames , hearts, ovals, and more. Choose T to use a text button (just words, no picture). To revert to whatever button style the theme originally came with, choose From Theme.

Figure 17-1. iDVD offers 13 built-in button frames. Note, though, that some iDVD button shapes crop video inappropriately, producing odd-looking and less effective buttons, as shown here. Large subjects, particularly people's faces or still objects, may not appear properly under these conditions. (Unlike drop zones, you can't reposition button videos to produce a better composition.)




iMovie HD & iDVD 5. The Missing Manual
iMovie HD & iDVD 5: The Missing Manual
ISBN: 0596100337
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 209
Authors: David Pogue

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