Just as a note, this is not to be confused with seamless branching. Seamless branching allows “parallel content” on a DVD. For example, on certain DVD’s the viewer will watch a timeline and will be prompted to view a special feature, such as behind the scenes footage, and after will be returned to the original timeline. This requires ultra-sophisticated disc structure.

One of my favorite new features is User Operations. Anybody who has encountered the “unskippable” FBI warning has experienced first hand how user operations work. Basically, you can specify what control the user/viewer is allowed to have while watching all or certain portions of the disc. In the case of the FBI warning, the author has restricted the use of the remote control, disabling fast forward, skip, menu button, title button, etc… so you are forced to view the FBI warning for as long as they want you to see it. But before the control freak in you gets carried away, just remember more control is one of the reasons people prefer DVD over VHS. Very few people are going to mind an FBI warning or a quick stinger clip, but if you lock out an entire 90 minute timeline people won’t be pleased. Remember you can’t lock out the eject button!

The brand new Styles Palette is a quick way to apply unique styles and looks to elements of your menus. Encore has several different types of styles: Text, Image, and Shape. To apply a style just drag it out of the Styles Palette and drop it on to the menu element. I played with these styles and I got some cool effects by crossing styles. Don’t limit yourself to only using Text styles on text or Shape styles on shapes, a style will work on ANY menu element except the background. Keep in mind, that if you apply a text style to a button with text, the style will only affect the text layer. If you are not a savvy Photoshop user, then these styles really come in handy. And even if you are a Photoshop Guru you will appreciate the ability to create your own styles and import them into the Styles Palette. (See tutorial coming soon!)

One of my wishes came true when Encore added guides to the Menu Editor. Now instead of eyeballing the alignment of buttons on a menu, you pull out a guide and snap the buttons to the guideline. It’s the small improvements like this that make all the difference when creating perfect menus. (see screenshot) And these guides, TRANSFER ACROSS APPLICATIONS!

The exciting Library Palette just got more exciting. Wait, you wouldn’t call the Library Palette exciting?!? I think the Library palette is the first thing many people took for granted in Encore 1.0. It comes down to how much you use Encore. I use Encore literally everyday, and my Library Palette is full of my own custom menus, buttons and images. Anyone who authors DVD’s for a living, like a videographer, has a special place in their heart for the Library Palette. Obviously Adobe had more than a few requests for a better library palette. The new and improved Library Palette offers more control and organization. The original Palette had three categories: Menus, Buttons, and Images. The new Palette adds four more categories: Backgrounds, Layer Sets, Text and Shapes. These categories can be cross-indexed into customizable sets. Encore had to improve the organization because it nearly quadrupled the number of items built into the Library Palette. The shapes are definitely a welcomed addition. Before many users had to turn to Photoshop to make basic shapes, now many common objects are a click and drag away.

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