Creating Adobe Encore DVD buttons (6.5)

You can use Adobe After Effects to quickly create buttons and button layers for importing into Adobe Encore DVD. Adobe Encore DVD uses a naming standard to define a button and the role of individual layers as subpicture highlights and video thumbnails. When you select a group of layers to create as an Encore DVD button, Adobe After Effects pre-composes the layers and names the precomposition according to the naming standards for buttons. You can assign individual layers within the precomposition as highlight layers or video thumbnails. Once a button is created, you can save it for use in Adobe Encore DVD.

To create an Adobe Encore DVD button:

1. In the Timeline window, select the layers that will comprise the button.
2. Choose Layer > Adobe Encore DVD > Create Button.
3. Enter a name for the button.
4. Use the pop-up menus to assign up to three highlight layers and one video thumbnail layer, and then click OK.

A new composition is created with the button name. In keeping with the Adobe Encore DVD naming standards, the prefix (+) is added to the name of the composition to indicate that it is a button. Highlight layers receive the prefix (=1), (=2), or (=3), and video thumbnails receive the prefix (%).

To assign a subpicture highlight and video thumbnail layer:

1. Select the desired layer.
2. Choose a highlight option from the Layer > Adobe Encore DVD submenu. The layer name receives the appropriate Adobe Encore DVD prefix.

To export a button for use in Adobe Encore DVD:

1. Open the composition that is your button, and navigate to the desired frame.
2. Choose Composition > Save Frame As > Photoshop Layers.
3. Enter a name and location, and click OK.

Important: If you rename the button, be sure to retain the (+) prefix. The prefix ensures that Adobe Encore DVD recognizes the file as a button.