I was just wondering if you all create your own DVD Menus, purchase them from template company or just use a provided one from program and just modify it? I know that menus can be built using Photoshop but unfortunately I am just learning the basics of it. I'm pretty sure that I am not alone on this one, I hope!

I usually modify one of the templates in Encore. You can choose to edit it in Photoshop, and when you are done, it reappears in Encore with your changes applied.

I usually modify one of the templates in Encore. You can choose to edit it in Photoshop, and when you are done, it reappears in Encore with your changes applied.

I do the same thing, typically using photos of the bride and groom taken from their wedding day to make the menus look more "personal", rather than using something from a third party.

Exactly what I do as well.

Ok, that is pretty much what I do, I just try to modify them as much as possible to make them more of my own.
Thanks again.

We use Photoshop to create a custom menu. Encore will recognize the layers and all you have to do is right click "convert to button" and it's that easy. You can have as many layers as you would like. That way, you can make a very custom feel to your menus as opposed to using stock ones.

Another cool trick is to create buttons and layers with a transparent background in Photoshop, and create a short loop in your NLE, maybe in something creative like Black & White, or Over-saturate the colors, slow motion, etc. and run the video as the menu behind those buttons. You can set the video to loop forever.

My 2 cents if you want something "Professional" looking...

Kit,

Do you know of a basic template to start from (maybe you could provide one) or perhaps a detailed tutorial on creating buttons with hotspot images?

I read through the one that Adobe provides, but I'm still a little confused on how exactly it all works.

What do you mean by hotspot images? Photoshop by default has video resolution templates built in on the drop down menu when you go to "new". You can also adjust anything you would like to, but we just use a standard HDV template at 1280 x 720, usually with no background. As far as buttons go, you can change any layer you want with encore into a button, no matter what it is.