Add text to a saved PTV file in Video Builder...?

[goddi]

I made a PTE slideshow. I then created a DVD Video. In the process of creating the DVD, I saved the template that I had created for the DVD. Now I want to add some additional separate text lines to the saved PTV file. However, after I open it up, there does not seem to be a way to add text except to start all over again.

Is there some way of adding text to the already saved PTV file without having to redo the entire template?

And I now notice that I can not add a second separate "Title" line when you first start creating the Title page. Is there a way to get more flexible in creating text in the Title page?

Thanks... Gary

[Ken Cox]

moved to proper area

ken

[LumenLux]

And I now notice that I can not add a second separate "Title" line when you first start creating the Title page. Is there a way to get more flexible in creating text in the Title page?

Thanks... Gary

Gary, I'm not sure if I understand - Because the window where you normally add your title text does allow multiple lines. Just select the default text, click properties. There you can add multiple title lines by hitting Enter key after each desired line.

If I'm missing the track, please ask again.

[goddi]

Gary, I'm not sure if I understand - Because the window where you normally add your title text does allow multiple lines. Just select the default text, click properties. There you can add multiple title lines by hitting Enter key after each desired line.

If I'm missing the track, please ask again.

I see what you are saying in the ability to do multiple lines. But I would like to insert, say, 3 lines that are independent of each other so I can resize each one separately (and move them around), so I can have line 1 a larger font; line 2 a smaller/different font; etc. I'd like just more control over the formating of the title page. You can even copy/paste line 1 and make changes to it like you do within most Windows applications. It would just be nice to have more flexibilty.

Gary

[LumenLux]

Yes, I see that would be a nice convenience. I think when I ran into that before, I had made a background image including the text variations I was seeking. Not as convenient as what you suggest and eliminates the use of the template background. On the other hand, your own background image can be exactly as you might desire.

[Lin Evans]

Hi Gary,

You can have as many lines as you wish and up to two fonts by doing as you have now discovered (pressing ENTER after the first line) but also using the text which appears under the thumbnail image as your second font choice. This text may be moved anywhere, sized as you wished and fonts, colors, etc., selected independently of the main "text". The "button" is all you really need to run the show so put it under the thumbnail, etc.

You could also "cheat" a little by adding a couple tiny avi files which do essentially nothing, setting the attribute for their images to zero opacity, moving the images off to a corner and resizing to a single pizel or so then modify their text (2 show 2 - 3 show three, etc.) to use a yet more text each with a different color and size. Obviously this isn't as "elegant" as having the features you want but it will "work" until those feature may someday be added.

Best regards,

Lin

I see what you are saying in the ability to do multiple lines. But I would like to insert, say, 3 lines that are independent of each other so I can resize each one separately (and move them around), so I can have line 1 a larger font; line 2 a smaller/different font; etc. I'd like just more control over the formating of the title page. You can even copy/paste line 1 and make changes to it like you do within most Windows applications. It would just be nice to have more flexibilty.

Gary

[goddi]

Lin...

Is it a technical problem that does not allow the ability to just include 'Add Text' or 'Add Image' capabilities as there is in the O&A?

I am not sure what you mean by 'adding a couple tiny avi files.' I don't understand how you would do this in the DVD title creation page. There isn't any menu to add anything that I can see.

Thanks... Gary

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[Lin Evans]

Hi Gary,

Video Builder is a purchased video "library" so perhaps there are some things which are not so easy to do as with one's own code. I don't know enough about the details of how it's incorporated to really give you a good answer. Developers often use what are called "libraries" which are code segments written by specialists in certain areas. These libraries are seamlessly integrated into a product and though modification and additions "may" be possible to some extent, it's not as easy as making changes to your own basic code so there may be technical reasons why this is more difficult than it may seem to implement.

You have the ability to add as many as 99 different PTE projects (avi files, etc.) to a single DVD. To place more than one on your DVD you simply drag them down from the large (upper right) window into the smaller long horizontal window below. By creating a couple one page PTE "do nothing" files you could drag them down and include them with the file you wish to use for your DVD.

For example. Create a PTE file with a single image just displayed for four seconds and save it. Create another perhaps identical with a different name and save it. What you then have will end up as two tiny files which if converted to DVD would just result in a four second display of a single image on a DVD.

Drag down your main PTE show then drag down the two "dummy" shows. First move the two dummy shows thumbnail to an obscure location such as the far upper right corner. Set the display size to something like one pixel and the display to zero opacity for each. Use the little text which says 2 filename 3 filename for additional text lines with each having its own font and color and change the "2 filename," etc., to whatever you want for additional text. As long as the user doesn't click on the text (and they would have no good reason to do so) they would just serve as additional text lines saying whatever you wish.

The arrow button then could be moved under the thumbnail to start and run the show you intend to the viewer to use.

Yes, it's a bit "cludge" but a viable temporary "work around" until a better solution is found.

Best regards,

Lin

Lin...

Is it a technical problem that does not allow the ability to just include 'Add Text' or 'Add Image' capabilities as there is in the O&A?

I am not sure what you mean by 'adding a couple tiny avi files.' I don't understand how you would do this in the DVD title creation page. There isn't any menu to add anything that I can see.

Thanks... Gary

=========================

[goddi]

Lin...

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I've got a better understanding.

Gary

[Lin Evans]

Hi Gary,

Here's a sample - quick and dirty....

Lin...

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I've got a better understanding.

Gary

[goddi]

Hi Gary,

Here's a sample - quick and dirty....

Thanks, Lin. This will have to due until/if PTE makes it more flexible. It would be sooooo nice.

Gary