Scenarist Designer PS UserGuide Win

SONIC
USER GUIDE
DES IGNE R P S F OR WIND OWS
Copyright 2006-2009 Sonic Solutions. All rights reserved.

Scenarist Designer PS for Windows User Guide Sonic Part Number 800214 Rev F (03/09)
This manual, as well as the software described in it, is furnished under license and may only be used or copied in
accordance with the terms of such license. The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only, is
subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Sonic Solutions. Sonic Solutions
assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this book.
Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of Sonic Solutions.
SONIC SOLUTIONS (SONIC) MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, REGARDING THE SOFTWARE. SONIC DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SONIC SOFTWARE IN
TERMS OF ITS CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE
RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SONIC SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU. THE
EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY SOME STATES. IF THIS IS THE CASE IN
YOUR STATE, THEN THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
IN NO EVENT WILL SONIC, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BY LIABLE TO YOU FOR
ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE)
ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE EVEN IF SONIC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS
MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
CineVision, Scenarist, the Scenarist logo, SonicCare, Sonic, Sonic Solutions, and the Sonic logo are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions in the United States and/or other jurisdictions.
Protected by U.S. Patents 6,065,010 and 5,812,790, and CN 95191159.7. Other patents pending.
Microsoft, Microsoft Windows XP, Internet Explorer, and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks of the
Microsoft Corporation, Inc.
This product is protected by certain intellectual property rights of Microsoft Corporation. Use or distribution of such
technology outside of this product is prohibited without a license from Microsoft or an authorized Microsoft
subsidiary.
This product includes software developed by The Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/).
Portions of this software were originally based on the following:
software copyright 1999, IBM Corporation, http://www.ibm.com.
The scripts provided with this program uses some functions from xtools v1.5 - a Javascript toolkit for Photoshop.
See http://ps-scripts.sourceforge.net/xtools.html for more details.
All xtools functions are covered by:
Copyright: (c)2006, xbytor
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/LGPL/2.1
Contact: xbytor@gmail.com
THE XTOOLS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
Photoshop is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.
All other company or product names or logos are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Written and designed at Sonic Solutions, 101 Rowland Way, Suite 110, Novato, CA 94945, USA.
Contents
1
Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

High definition graphic formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
HDMV and BD-J Compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
HDMV image planes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
BD-J image planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Graphic properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Palette limitations for HDMV graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Graphic layers and Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Workflow and work areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Using Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Workflow for creating and exporting graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Work areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
The Scenarist Designer PS window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Startup Dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Export Options dialog box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Creating interactive graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

About interactive graphics (IGs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Creating IGs in Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Contents
Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Exporting IGs to high definition formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Exporting all images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Exporting a single image layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Exporting a group layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Exporting a page or display set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4
Creating presentation graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

About presentation graphics (PGs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Creating PGs in Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Exporting PGs using Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exporting PGs to high definition formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exporting all images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exporting a single image layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Exporting a group layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Exporting a display set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Creating graphic asset sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

About graphic assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Creating asset sets in Photoshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Exporting asset sets using Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
The Export Dialog for Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Reducing colors with Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Managing palettes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Using global palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Saving palettes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Loading palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Using Layer Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Layer Options Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Setting Layer Options via a Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Setting Layer Options Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Contents
The Layer Options Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

8
Importing graphics into your high definition projects . . . . . .103

Using graphics in Scenarist BD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Importing files into Scenarist BD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Updating graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Using Designers BD-J output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Graphic design tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

HDMV and the 256-color palette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
The background image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Palettes and alpha channel information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Dithering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Contents
1 Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

Welcome to Scenarist Designer PS, an export plug-in for Adobe Photoshop that
converts layered Photoshop documents (PSD files) into authoring-ready menu
layouts for Blu-ray (HDMV and BD-J).
Version 1 of Scenarist Designer PS created menu layouts in HDMV format only;
Version 2.0 added support for BD-J. Because Scenarist Designer PS was initially
developed for use with HDMV, it uses HDMVs naming conventions and
structure, even for exports to BD-J.
Note: Scenarist Designer PS requires that Photoshop CS2 or higher be installed
on the system. If Photoshop is not installed, or if the installed version is lower
than CS2, you cannot install Scenarist Designer PS.
This chapter includes the following introductory topics:
High definition graphic formats on page 8
Graphic properties on page 13
Graphic layers and Photoshop on page 14
Chapter 1, Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS
High definition graphic formats

HDMV and BD-J Compared
Blu-ray discs can be authored in two distinct ways, using HDMV (High Definition
Movie Mode), which DVD authors will find somewhat familiar (though many of
DVD's limitations have been removed, and some of the terminology and tools are
different), or BD-J (Blu-ray Disc-Java) which is developed using tools that produce
compiled Java Xlets, and often requires programming using Java.
Blu-ray discs can be authored with either HDMV or BD-J, or a combination of
both (each Title on this disc must use either HDMV or BD-J).
While there are numerous differences between HDMV and BD-J, most are beyond
the scope of this User Guide. What is relevant is how they differ in terms of the
graphics that they support.
HDMV features:
8-bit ARGB PNG graphics
No overlapping buttons
Buttons are tri-state, states can be animated (with multiple button frames)
16MB Buffer for Interactive Graphics (4MB for Presentation Graphics)
BD-J features:
Support for True Colour PNGs with full Alpha Channel Support
Graphics can overlap
Buttons can be programmed any way you like
45.5MB Buffer for all graphics on-screen (and some sounds)
While most people will find that HDMV does everything they need, Designer PS
makes it easy to export to either HDMV or BD-J from the one PSD.
HDMV image planes

Scenarist Designer PS uses specially named and structured Photoshop documents
to export graphics and metadata suitable for HDMV authoring. The layer
structure and naming conventions are based on the structures found in the BDROM specifications for HDMV content. While a complete understanding of these
specifications is not necessary, it is useful to understand HDMVs main data
structures, and the way it is rendered to the display.
The HDMV format allows for the following independent image planes:
Movie plane
Presentation plane
Flight through History
Button1
Interactive plane
Button1
Button2
Button2
10
Movie plane Holds the main title material, comprised of high-definition video.
The movie plane is completely independent of the other image planes, allowing
menu buttons to be navigated with no interruption in playback. It also holds still
video images that can be used for slideshows and certain menu backgrounds.
Additionally, on full-profile BD-ROM players a Picture-in-Picture stream can be
displayed on the movie plane.
Presentation plane Holds 8-bit non-interactive presentation graphics (PGs),
which can be used as subtitles, titles, labels, or purely decorative graphics.

Interactive plane Holds 8-bit interactive graphics (IGs) and animations (IG
effects). These Interactive Graphics can be buttons that are always on, such as
those on the Top Menu, or they can be pop-up menu buttons called while the
viewer is watching titles on the movie plane. For more information see About
interactive graphics (IGs) on page 52.
The three HDMV image planes are layered:
back
Main Video plane
Presentation plane
front
Interactive plane
Button1
Button2
The HDMV format supports 256 colors (8 bits) for interactive graphics and
presentation graphics. Images must be saved as indexed. HDMV also supports
alpha channel (variable transparency) information with PNG files; however, it
stores alpha information in the palette, per color (rather than per pixel).
11
BD-J image planes

The BD-J format has a different model to the HDMV format. It allows for the
following independent image planes:
Background plane
Video plane
Button1
Button2
Java Graphics plane
Button1
Button2
Background plane Sits at the back, behind the video. Displays a single image or a
single color. It provides a backdrop for the video, if the video is scaled.
Video plane Displays video and associated presentation graphics, including
subtitles, titles, labels, or graphics. The video and the associated presentation
graphics can be scaled. (The presentation graphics scale with the video.) The
video plane is completely independent of the other image planes, allowing menu
buttons to be navigated with no interruption in playback.
Java Graphics plane Displays the GUI for the BD-J application. It is similar to the
IG plane in HDMV.
12
The three BD-J image planes are layered:

back
Background plane
Video plane
front
Java Graphics plane
Button1
Button2
Graphic properties
13
Graphic properties
Scenarist Designer PS outputs each layer in the Photoshop document as a PNG
file. It can create 8-bit (256 color) PNG files for HDMV and BD-J. These PNG-8
files support alpha transparency by storing alpha information in the palette (that
is, per color). Scenarist Designer PS can also create PNG-24 (true color) files for
BD-J. These files store alpha transparency information per pixel.
Palette limitations for HDMV graphics

The current BD-ROM specification requires images in the interactive plane and
presentation plane to have no more than 256 ARGB colors (Alpha + Red + Green
+ Blue) that are indexed. The index numbers reference to a palette that describes
the colors in the image. As mentioned above, the alpha channel (transparency)
information is stored in the palette, per color.
Scenarist Designer PS helps deal with the strictures created by these palette
limitations. It can be used to optimize and normalize the color palettes of images
created in Photoshop, so that they will adhere to the specific color requirements
of the interactive and presentation planes in the HDMV format. Scenarist
Designer PS processes the Photoshop graphic elements, dithering images if
necessary to adapt them to the optimized color palettes; it then exports the
Photoshop file in a format that can be imported directly into a Scenarist BD
project.
For tips for working with 8-bit graphics in high-definition projects, see Chapter 9,
Graphic design tips, on page 121.
14
Graphic layers and Photoshop

To create interactive and presentation graphics for use in your high-definition
projects, you define a specific hierarchy of layers within Photoshop. Because
Scenarist Designer PS was initially designed to create graphics for use with
HDMV, the layer structure and naming conventions follow the HDMV model,
regardless of the intended output format. (For more information about the HDMV
model, see HDMV image planes on page 9.)
The arrangement of layers affects how Scenarist Designer PS builds optimized
palettes and exports images. Scenarist Designer PS files are either interactive
graphics (IGs), presentation graphics (PGs), or asset sets. Each Photoshop file
must be layered to reflect the structure of one of these types of files.
The top layer of the file defines the file type, and determines the kind of
exported file that Scenarist Designer PS creates.
Top layer prefixes
Top layer prefix
Exported XML represents
None
A set of assets
IG:
Interactive Graphics
PG:
Presentation Graphics
The various elements of a file are created by generating groups (layer sets) and
image layers in Photoshop; these must be created with particular names, in a
particular order. The group and images prefixes are defined as follows:
Graphic layers and Photoshop
15
Group prefixes
Group prefix
Scenarist HDMV object
Scenarist BD-J object
None
Asset folder
Asset folder
IG:
Not used
PG:
Not used
DS:
Display Set (IG and PG)
Not used
P:
Page (IG)
Page
BOG:
Button Overlap Group (IG)
Not used
B:
Button (IG)
Button
W:
Window (PG)
Not used
Image prefixes
Image prefix
None
Image
Image
BG:
Common Background
(IG and PG)
Common Background
Nx:
Normal (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Normal (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Ax:
Active (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Active (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Sx:
Selected (IG button)

[x = frame number]

[x = frame number]
For details on the specific uses of these layer and image prefixes, see Chapter 3,
Creating interactive graphics, on page 51, Chapter 4, Creating presentation
graphics, on page 65, and Chapter 5, Creating graphic asset sets, on page 79.
Note: All layers must be flattened in Photoshop before you export with
Scenarist Designer PS, and they cant have effects or masks. Shape layers and text
layers are supported. Layer opacity settings are supported in Photoshop CS3 and
higher. The script Designer - Flatten Layer Effects can help you to flatten layers
in your document automatically. See the Extras folder for more details.
16
2 Workflow and work areas

This chapter describes the workflow for creating graphics with Scenarist
Designer PS, and describes the Scenarist Designer PS interface. It includes the
following topics:
Using Scenarist Designer PS on page 18
Workflow for creating and exporting graphics on page 22
Work areas on page 23
18
Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas
Using Scenarist Designer PS

Scenarist Designer PS comes into play after you have created a complete file in
Photoshop. It pre-processes the material in the file, gives you the opportunity to
inspect the images and associated palettes, and then exports the file in a format
that can be imported directly into your high definition projects.
Note: The first time you launch Scenarist Designer PS, you are prompted to
activate the application.
To use Scenarist Designer PS:
1 In Photoshop, open your completed graphics file.

2 Choose File > Export > Scenarist Designer PS:
19
If this is the first time you are opening Scenarist Designer PS, the Activation
dialog box appears.
3 Type the Activator Code and click OK. The Scenarist Designer PS activation
status dialog box appears.
20
4 Click OK.
5 As Scenarist Designer PS opens, it pre-processes the Photoshop (.psd) file in
order to ensure that the structure of the file is correct.The Scenarist Designer
PS Startup Dialog will open. This dialog allows you to select the format or
formats you wish to export to, and set a number of options related to the
export. You can even skip the preview of your design if you have settings you
are happy with. For more information see Startup Dialog box on page 41.
6 Click OK.
Scenarist Designer PS will proceed to slice up the image, optimize the color
palettes, and perform any necessary dithering to adapt images to the
optimized color palettes. A status bar shows the progress of this preprocessing.
21
Note: For large files, this processing can take several minutes.
7 The Scenarist Designer PS window appears (unless the Skip Preview option
was checked).
8 Inspect the file using the tools and options provided, as described in The
Scenarist Designer PS window on page 23.
9
Click the Export button to show the Export Dialog and export the
graphics. The settings made in the Startup Dialog are remembered and display
here. They can be modified if you wish.
10 The exported files are ready for use in Blu-ray Authoring tools.
22
Workflow for creating and exporting graphics

Creating high definition images with Scenarist Designer PS involves the following
steps:
1 Create the images in Photoshop. For more information, see:
Creating IGs in Photoshop on page 53
Creating PGs in Photoshop on page 66
Creating asset sets in Photoshop on page 80
2 Optionally, create Layer Options to modify Button Actions and Properties.
(For more information, see Chapter 7, Using Layer Options.)
3 Launch Scenarist Designer PS. For more information, see:
Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS on page 56
Exporting PGs using Scenarist Designer PS on page 69
Exporting asset sets using Scenarist Designer PS on page 81
4 Optionally, customize the palettes and dithering settings. (For more
information, see Chapter 6, Managing palettes.)
5 Check the buffer usage of the design. (For more information, see Buffer
Checker on page 31)
6 Export the graphics from Scenarist Designer PS to the high definition formats
you choose. For more information, see:
Exporting IGs to high definition formats on page 59
Exporting PGs to high definition formats on page 72
The Export Dialog for Assets on page 84
7 Import the graphics into your high definition project. (For more information,
see Chapter 8, Importing graphics into your high definition projects.)
Work areas
23
Work areas
The Scenarist Designer PS window
The Scenarist Designer PS window has a number of operational areas:
Title Bar
Toolbar
Layers Tree area
Buffer Checker
Preview area
Dither Options
Palette area
Show Background/
Button Slices controls
Information area
Action buttons
Zoom drop-down list
Title Bar Standard title bar, with Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons.
Toolbar Supplies three tools for examining images in the Preview area: the Zoom
tool, the Eyedropper tool, and the Hand tool.

Buffer Checker Click this button to analyze your design to ensure that it is legal
for export to HDMV and BD-J.

Preview area Displays a preview of the currently selected layer or folder. It
interacts with the tools in the toolbar.
Show Background control Displays the background image when checked. The
background image does not appear in the Layers Tree.
24
Show Button Slices control Displays how Scenarist Designer PS has sliced the
Common Background (BG) image into a number of normal state buttons when
checked. This control is enabled only for IGs.
Information area Provides information on a single image displayed in the Preview
area, based on the location of the cursor.
Layers Tree area Shows the various layers of the file in a tree view, with one
exception: The background image does not appear in the Layers tree. The tree
view allows you to select single images for display in the Preview area.
Dither Options Allows you to apply (or remove) various dithering options to
layers or specific images.

Palette area Shows the palette for the selected layer displayed in the Preview
area. The palette preview is available at the Page, BOG, and Button group levels,
as well as the image level. If a higher layer is selected, the palette area will be
blank (as in the graphic above).
Action buttons Allows you to Export images in the file or to close the window
without finalizing the export.

Zoom drop-down list Allows you to select a specific zoom percentage, in a range
from 10% through 3000%.

Splitter If you enlarge the window, you can change the relative size of the
Preview area and Layers Tree. To do so, click the splitter, and drag it until the
Preview and Layers Tree areas are the desired size.
For more information, see the following sections.
Work areas
25
Show Background control

When selected, this control displays the background image in the Preview area.
Note: This option is disabled if the Background layer is hidden or doesnt exist.
You can toggle this option on and off by pressing the letter B on the keyboard.
26
Show Button Slices control

When selected, this control displays how Scenarist Designer PS has sliced the
Common Background (BG) image into normal state buttons, which function as
a background for pop-up menus.
Note: This option is enabled only for IGs.

You can toggle this option on and off by pressing the letter S on the keyboard.
Work areas
27
Layers Tree
The layers tree shows the layers in the file, as they will be exported. In general,
the layers shown match the layers in the Photoshop file; however, the layers tree
does not show the group prefixes, nor does it display the background layer.
Note: Designer does not recognize whether a layer is hidden, and therefore
does not skip hidden layers.
To select a layer or a single image for inspection in the Preview area, expand the
Layers Tree so that all components are visible; then click on the desired layer or
image to select it for preview.
28
Once you have selected a layer or single image in the Layers Tree, it appears in
the Preview area, and detailed information about the layer or image appears in
other areas of the window.
Note: Note: BG: layers do not appear in the Layers Tree, although they do
display in the Preview area.
Preview area
The Preview area displays the item selected in the Layers Tree. It interacts with
the tools in the toolbar. To use all of the tools and options associated with the
preview area. you must select a single image in the Layers Tree.
Toolbar
The toolbar gives you access to three tools. Only one tool can be active at a time.
If a tool icon is grayed out, then that tool is not available for use with the selected
item.
Zoom tool
The Zoom tool allows you to zoom in (or out) on the preview area by clicking on
the Preview area. While the tool is active, the cursor changes to a magnifying
glass with either a plus or minus sign, depending on the direction you are
zooming.
You can select the tool by pressing the letter Z on the keyboard.
Work areas
29
To zoom in, click in the Preview area; the preview will center on the clicked
location unless the whole image fits into the preview. To zoom out, press Ctrl
while clicking in the Preview area. The zoom levels range from 10%-3000%.
Eyedropper tool
The Eyedropper tool is used to sample color at a particular pixel location in the
preview area. It only functions when a single image is selected. While the tool is
active, the cursor changes to an eyedropper.
You can select this tool by pressing the letter I on the keyboard.
To sample a color with the eyedropper, click on the Preview where you would
like to take a sample. When you click, the information area updates with location
and color information. In addition, the specific color sampled is highlighted in
the palette area.
30
Note: If Show Background is selected, the Eyedropper tool samples

thecomposited pixel (that is, the pixel in the graphic layer combined with the
pixel in the background). The color of this pixel may not appear in the palette.
Work areas
31
Hand tool
The hand tool allows you to pan around the image when the image doesnt fit
into the Preview area. While active the cursor changes to a hand. If the preview
image fits fully into the screen, the tool will be disabled.
You can select this tool by pressing the letter H on the keyboard.
To pan around the screen, click in the preview area, then drag the image around.
If the image fits into the preview horizontally but not vertically, you will only be
able to pan up and down. If the image fits into the preview vertically but not
horizontally, you will only be able to scan left and right.
Buffer Checker
The Buffer Checker is launched by clicking the Buffer Checker button, found
beneath the three Toolbar tools.
The Buffer Checker analyzes your design to ensure that it is legal and will fit
within the buffers of your target player.
32
When you click the button, Designer displays a progress bar indicating that it is
calculating the buffer usage for HDMV and BD-J.
Once the calculations are complete, the Buffer Checker dialog box appears. It
contains three tabs, one for each format. Initially, the Buffer Usage for HDMV is
displayed. Clicking the OK button closes the dialog box.
HDMV Tab
The HDMV tab displays the following items:

Encoded IG/PG Size: Displays the size of the entire IG or PG once it has
been RLE encoded.
Work areas
33
Decoded IG/PG Size: The full decoded size of the IG or PG. This must be
less than 16MB for an IG and less than 4MB for a PG. In addition, no single
image can exceed the maximum size of an Object Definition Segment (ODS)
which is 1048576 bytes.
Estimated Decode Time: The number of seconds required to decode the IG
or PG. This number is a guide only and is based on the minimum performance
requirements for Blu-ray Players.
Note: Real-world decode times may be faster depending on implementation.
Times are just the time to decode from the PNG file to a bitmap image in
memory, ready for on-screen display. The figures do not take into account the
time required to read the file(s) from disc or display them on the screen.
Notes: The notes section displays the message All lines encoded
successfully if everything is OK, or a list of any errors encountered. Possible
error messages displayed include:
IG/PG Decoded Buffer Size Exceeded
If the Decoded Buffer size is exceeded the size will be displayed in red and
the percentage will be greater than 100%.
ODS Size Exceeded
Warning: The size of the Object Definition Segment (ODS) exceeds the
allowed size (1048576 bytes) in the following images:
"N1_1" (Size: 1233314)
You should attempt to reduce the size of these images, either by modifying
their dimensions (width/height) or you may wish to try changing the
dithering settings applied to them.
Line could not be encoded
Warning: Some images could not be encoded, because they exceed the
maximum size allowed for a RLE-encoded line. You may wish to try
changing the dithering applied to them and then run the Buffer Checker
again.
Line 43 of image Slicing_1 from BG: MyBackground
34
BD-J Tab
The BD-J tab displays the following items:

Buffer Usage: Displays the size of the entire IG or PG and displays a
percentage of how full the BD-J Memory Buffer will be.
Size on Disc (Layers): Displays how large the exported layers will be.
Size on Disc (Mosaic): Displays how large the exported Image Mosaic file(s)
will be. It is not unusual for the Image Mosaic to be larger than the Layers.
Estimated Decode Time: The number of seconds required to decode the
PNG graphic files into the memory buffer. This number is a guide only and is
based on the minimum performance requirements for Blu-ray Players.
Note: Real-world decode times may be faster depending on implementation.
Times are just the time to decode from the PNG file to a bitmap image in
memory, ready for on-screen display. The figures do not take into account the
time required to read the file(s) from disc or display them on the screen.
Work areas
Palette area
This displays the optimized palette for the layer or single image selected in the
Layers Tree and displayed in the Preview area.
35
36
As you move the mouse over the palette, a tooltip box appears; it shows
thepalette index, and the values for alpha, red, green, and blue.
Index:ll0
lllllA:l 254
lllllR: lll1
lllllG: lll1
lllllB: lll1
For more information about using palettes, see Chapter 6, Managing palettes.
Work areas
37
Information Display
This provides information on an image displayed in the Preview area, based on
the location of the cursor.
The Information area supplies the following data about the image in the Preview
area:
Color information (R, G, B, Alpha, Index)
This shows specific color values (red, green, blue, alpha, palette index) for
the image, based on the location of the cursor. These values are updated
constantly as you move the mouse around the image.
Cursor Location (x, y)
This is the location of the cursor in the image. This updated constantly as you
move the mouse around the image. The cursor location is relative to the
image at 100%.
38
Zoom drop-down list

This allows you to select a specific zoom percentage from a drop-down list, in a
range from 10% through 3000%.
Work areas
39
Dither Options
This group box allows you to apply (or remove) various dithering options to the
layers or specific image selected in the Layer Tree.
None means no dithering; you can use this option to remove dithering that
was applied during pre-processing.
Error Diffusion (FS) applies error diffusion (Floyd-Steinberg) dithering.
Ordered dithering approximates color blends using fixed patterns; it
emphasizes solid colors, and edges appear harder.
Riemersma dithering reduces an image to a specific color map, and restricts
the influence of the dithered pixel to a small area around it. It is an area
process instead of a point process.
40
Each option also has a percentage control which allows you to fine tune the
amount of dithering for each algorithm.
Action Buttons
These buttons allow you to complete the export process, or to close the window
without completing the export.
Export invokes the final portion of Scenarist Designer PSs processing and
export process. For details, see Chapter 3, Creating interactive graphics, on
page 51 Chapter 4, Creating presentation graphics, on page 65 and
Chapter 5, Creating graphic asset sets.
Close dismisses the Scenarist Designer PS window.
Work areas
41
Startup Dialog box

The Startup Dialog box loads when you launch Scenarist Designer PS from the
Export menu. It allows you to specify your export settings up-front, saving
valuable time in the export process, by only rendering the images you need.
Startup Dialog for IG and PG Exports

This dialog allows you to enter the Export settings. It features the following
controls:
Directory allows you to specify the directory that you export to.
Project Name is the PSD name by default, but it can be changed.
Enable Scenarist HDMV Export creates a .scenarist.designer file and
associated PNGs and palettes for import into Scenarist BD.
Enable Scenarist BD-J Export creates an XML file and associated PNGs for
use in Scenarist BD-J or similar Java IDE.
Buffer Checker allows you to check the buffer usage of your design if
exported to BD-J. This option is provided for users doing a BD-J only export,
as the Main Preview Window will not display.
42
Just Export Files (Skip Preview) is an option provided to speed the export
process. If you are sure all your settings are correct, you can prevent the Main
Preview Window from loading and simply export the files.
NOTE: When you are doing a BD-J only export, this option will be
automatically enabled and cannot be disabled. This is because the Preview
Window can only show a preview of 8-bit sliced graphics. 24-bit BD-J exports
will create graphics that look identical to what is shown in Photoshop.
Startup Dialog for Asset Exports

This dialog allows you to enter the Export settings for Asset files. It features the
following controls:
Directory allows you to specify the directory that you export to.
Project Name is the PSD name by default, but it can be changed.
Enable Scenarist HDMV Export and Enable Scenarist BD-J Export are
disabled. Asset files are just exported to graphic files, not specific HD formats.
Work areas
43
Just Export Files (Skip Preview) is an option provided to speed the export
process. If you are sure all your settings are correct, you can prevent the Main
Preview Window from loading and simply export the files.
NOTE: When you are doing an Image Mosaic export or a 24-bit export, this
option will be automatically enabled and cannot be disabled. This is because
the Preview Window can only show a preview of 8-bit layered graphics.
44
Export Options dialog box

When you export graphics from Scenarist Designer PS for use in your high
definition projects, you can customize a number of options. The options vary
depending on the destination format.
HDMV tab
This tab allows you to customize options for export to HDMV.
It includes the following options:

Output Slices and Designer XML: This option is selected but disabled, to
indicate that sliced graphics and a Scenarist Designer PS XML file will always
be exported for HDMV.
Output Flattened Composites: Select if you want to output flattened
composite images, suitable for third-party authoring tools. Scenarist Designer
PS will generate a composite for each button state, and for each animated
frame of each state.
Note: This option is not available when you are exporting pages, data sets,
or PGs.
Work areas
45
Export in Designer 2.5 format (no layer options): Select this option if
you have included layer options in your PSD but are exporting to Scenarist BD
5.02 or earlier. When selected this option excludes layer options from the
export.
Note:
BD-J tab
This tab allows you to customize options for export to BD-J.

Export: Select one of the following export options:
Output Image Mosaic: Select if you want to create an Image Mosaic file
whereby each layer in the Photoshop file is concated together into a single
PNG. This type of file loads into a BD-J player much faster than multiple,
smaller files e.g. as produced by Output Layers/Slices.
Output Layers: Select if you want to create a separate graphics file for
each layer in the Photoshop file.
Output Slices: Select if you want Scenarist Designer PS to flatten and slice
the layers, creating a graphics file for each slice. (Similar to HDMV export).
46
Color: Choose whether to generate true-color (24-bit) or 256-color (8-bit)

graphic files. 8-bit graphics require less disc space, and may require less
memory.
Asset tab
This tab allows you to customize options when you are exporting assets.

Export: Select one of the following export options:
Output Layers: Select if you want Scenarist Designer PS to output each
layer as a separate file. Layers in the top level of the PSD are each given their
own palette, while layers grouped into a layer set are given a common palette.
Output Image Mosaic: Select if you want to create an Image Mosaic file
whereby each layer in the Photoshop file is concated together into a single
PNG. This type of file loads into a BD-J player much faster than multiple,
smaller files e.g. as produced by Output Layers.
Work areas
47
Trim: Choose whether to generate true-color (24-bit) or 256-color (8-bit)

memory.
Trim Asset Layers to Smallest Possible Size: Select if you want

Scenarist Designer PS to remove transparent pixels on the top, left,
right, or bottom of the graphic. If you dont select this option, all
graphics in an asset export will be the same size as the canvas.
Output Asset Layers at full Canvas Size: Select if you want Scenarist
Designer PS to create all graphics at the same size as the canvas.
Trim Asset Layers to Group Size (Union): Select if you want

Scenarist Designer PS to create a bounding rectangle which is the
union of the bounding rectangles of all the images in each group. This
union rectangle will then be the size at which all graphics in the group
are exported.
Color: Choose whether to generate true-color (24-bit) or 256-color (8-bit)

memory.
Note: If you are exporting an image for use in an HDMV project, choose 8bit color graphics.
48
Palette tab - Startup Dialog

This tab appears when the Export Options Dialog is loaded from the Startp
Dialog. It is available when exporting an IG, PG or Asset document. It allows you
to set the initial type and value of dithering, as well as providing the option to
use a Global Palette.
The following options are available:

Dither Options: Identical to the Dither Options available in the main
Designer Window. The default value is Error Diffusion (FS) at 80%.
None means no dithering; you can use this option to remove dithering
that was applied during pre-processing.
Error Diffusion (FS) applies error diffusion (Floyd-Steinberg) dithering.
Ordered dithering approximates color blends using fixed patterns; it
emphasizes solid colors, and edges appear harder.
Riemersma dithering reduces an image to a specific color map, and
restricts the influence of the dithered pixel to a small area around it. It is an
area process instead of a point process.
Each dithering option also has a percentage control which allows you to
fine tune the amount of dithering for each algorithm.
Work areas
49
Generate optimized palette for each Layer Set: (Asset Export only) Generates
a unique, optimized palette for each Layer Set (Group) in the PSD, and a
unique, optimized palette for each Layer in the root level of the PSD.
Generate optimized palette for each Page: Generates a unique, optimized
palette for each Page in the IG. Note for PG Exports, the palette is generated
per Display Set, rather than per Page.
Generate Global Palette: Creates a pallete that is generated from, and then
assigned to every Layer in the file. (Technically speaking the palette is
assigned to the Page in an IG, and the Display Set in a PG, and all sub-layers
inherit the palette).
Load Global Palette from file: Loads a pre-existing Designer palette from a
.pxml file, and then applies it to every Layer in the file.
50
3 Creating interactive graphics

This chapter tells you how to create an interactive graphics file in Photoshop,
launch Scenarist Designer PS, and then export the graphics from Scenarist
Designer PS to the destination high definition projects that you choose.
Note: When you export graphics to HDMV, create a graphics file for each slice.
When you export graphics to BD-J, you can choose to create a graphics file for
each slice or for each layer.
Note: When you export graphics to HDMV, output them as 8-bit (256-color).
When you export graphics to BD-J, you can choose to output them as 8-bit (256
color) or 24-bit (true color) graphics.
This chapter includes the following topics:
About interactive graphics (IGs) on page 52
Creating IGs in Photoshop on page 53
Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS on page 56
Exporting IGs to high definition formats on page 59
52
Chapter 3, Creating interactive graphics
About interactive graphics (IGs)

Interactive graphics (IGs) are used to navigate the content on high definition
titles, usually in the form of buttons that appear on-screen. The buttons can be
always on, as would be the case for Top Menus, or they can be called by the
viewer as needed (pop-up menus) during playback of titles. Also, the buttons
available for a title need not be static; in fact, an entirely new set of buttons can
appear after clicking a particular button (multi-page or hierarchical menus).
Languages
English
Chapters
Main Menu
Languages
Spanish
French
Chapters
Multi-page menu
For information about graphic properties for IGs, see Graphic properties on
page 13.
Creating IGs in Photoshop
53

To create interactive graphics, you define a specific hierarchy of layers within
Photoshop. Because Scenarist Designer PS was initially designed to create
graphics for use with HDMV, the layer structure and naming conventions follow
the HDMV model, regardless of the intended output format. (For more
information about the HDMV model, see HDMV image planes on page 9.)
Note: Even though some of the group objects in the structure are not output to
the target format, they are still required to properly generate the IGs.
The following table explains how the group prefixes are mapped to objects in
the different output formats.
IG group prefixes
Group prefix
IG:
[top layer]
Not used
DS:
Display Set
Not used
P:
Page
Page
BOG:
Button Overlap Group
Not used
B:
Button
Button
I:
None - Ignored
None - Ignored
The name of the top layer, after the IG: prefix, becomes the name of the IG
virtual asset object. The layers below the IG: prefix define the IG group
components:
Display sets are defined with the DS: prefix. The name of the layer, after
the DS: prefix, becomes the name of the Display Set object in Scenarist BD.
Pages are defined with the P: prefix. For each page, Scenarist Designer PS
creates an optimized palette; it defines the palette based on all the images
included in the pages button groups.
Buttons Overlap Groups (BOGs) are defined with the BOG: prefix. A
button overlap group must have at least one button group defined.
54
Button groups are defined with the B: prefix. You must define at least one
state for each button group.
Ignore groups are defined with the I: prefix. Any layers within an ignore
group are not processed by Designer, making them ideal for storing working
layers that you dont wish to export.
IG image prefixes
Image prefix
None
Background image
Image
BG:
Common Background
Common Background
Nx:
Normal (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Normal (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Ax:
Active (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Active (IG button)

[x = frame number]
Sx:

[x = frame number]

[x = frame number]
Common Backgrounds are defined with the BG: prefix. Common

Backgrounds can be created at the IG, Display Set, or Page level. In IGs, the
BG is used to create a background for pop-up menus; Scenarist Designer PS
slices the image up into a number of normal state buttons.
During a layered export to BD-J, the Common Background is exported as a
single graphic, layered in the correct position. It is possible to place multiple
BG: layers with a Page, but only for BD-J export. HDMV export will be
disabled if multiple BG: layers are found in a Page.
A button state is a Photoshop image layer that has one of the following
prefixes (where x is the frame number):
Nx: (normal)
Ax: (active)
Sx: (selected)
For example, N1: would define the first frame of a buttons normal state. A
button must have parent groups of both B: and BOG:.
55
To create a Photoshop file that Scenarist Designer PS can export for use in a high
definition project, you must include all of these layers in the file, in the proper
hierarchical order:
Note: The size of the IG is defined by the size of the Photoshop canvas. If the
Photoshop file is not a valid resolution (only 1920x1080, 1280x720, 720x576
allowed), Scenarist Designer PS displays an error message, and allows you to
choose whether to continue exporting; if you choose to export the file, the IG is
not written to the file.
Note: You can build up the IG structure manually, or you can use the
Photoshop Helper Scripts provided with Scenarist Designer PS. You can read
more about Designer - Generate IG and Designer - Slices to Scenarist Designer
in the Readme.pdf in the Extras folder.
56
Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS

Once you have created your IG file in Photoshop, you are ready to export it to
Scenarist Designer PS.
To export IGs using Scenarist Designer PS:
1 In Photoshop, open your IG file.
2 Choose File > Export > Scenarist Designer PS. The Startup Dialog appears,
see Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas, on page 41. Set up your Export
and then click OK. As Scenarist Designer PS opens, it adds the elements of
the file, optimizes the color palettes, and performs any necessary dithering to
adapt images to the optimized color palettes.
Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS
57
The Scenarist Designer PS window appears.
3 If appropriate, select the Show Background option to display the background

image.
58
4 Optional. For an IG with a BG (common background) image, select the Show

Button Slices option to display how Scenarist Designer PS has sliced the image
into normal state buttons.
5 To access single images for preview, expand the Layers Tree completely.
6 Preview and examine single images, check the color palettes, and perform
any additional dithering operations, as appropriate.
Exporting IGs to high definition formats
59

You can export the entire IG file, or you can export a single image layer, a group
layer, a display set, or a page.
If you export only a single image layer or a group layer, Scenarist Designer PS
only creates a PNG file (in the case of a single image) or a set of folders
containing the relevant PNG files (in the case of a group layer). If the exported
group contains a defined palette, a (.pxml) palette file is written as well.
Exporting all images

Note: You can also right-click the top-level group in the hierarchy, and choose
Export IG.
60
To export all images:
1 Click Export in the main window. The Export dialog box appears with the
same settings that were entered in the Startup Dialog.
2 Select a destination folder for the new project, enter a name for the new
project, and select the high definition formats in which you want to use the
images.
Note: Scenarist BD-J does not accept SPACE characters in project namesif
you are exporting to Scenarist BD-J, and your project name contains a SPACE,
it will be converted to an underscore (_) when you export.
3 Optional. To customize the optional settings, click Options, and adjust the
settings on the tab for each format you are exporting. (For more information
about the options, see Export Options dialog box on page 44). Then click
OK.
4 Click OK. Scenarist Designer PS saves the elements of the IG file to the
selected directory and displays a confirmation message.
5 Click OK to continue.
61
Exporting a single image layer

To export a single image layer:
1 In the Layer Tree, right-click on the image layer; then choose Export Image
from the shortcut menu. From the submenu, choose the appropriate
command, depending on whether you want to export slices or layers, and
whether you want 8-bit or 24-bit color graphics.
Note: If you are exporting an image for use in an HDMV project, choose
Export Image > Export 8-bit (slices).
The Save As dialog box appears.
2 Select an appropriate location for the exported image; then click Save.
Scenarist Designer PS saves the PNG file to the selected directory and displays
a confirmation message.
62
Exporting a group layer

Note: To export the top-level group in the hierarchy, see Exporting all images
on page 59. To export a page or display set, see Exporting a page or display set
on page 63.
To export a group layer:
1 In the Layer Tree, right-click on the group layer; then choose Export Group
The Browse For Folder dialog box appears.
63
2 Select an appropriate location for the exported group layer; then click Save.
Scenarist Designer PS saves the group layer to the selected directory and
displays a confirmation message.
Exporting a page or display set

Warning: Export Page and Export Display Set, are primarily intended for use
with BD-J export. They can be used with HDMV export, but the resulting
.scenarist.designer file will only contain one page or one displayset. If you use
that file to update an existing HDMV project, Scenarist BD will assume that any
other pages or display sets have been removed, and they will be deleted from the
project.
To export a page or display set:
1 To export a page, in the Layer Tree, right-click on the page and choose
Export Page.
To export a display set, right-click on the display set in the Layer Tree and
choose Export Display Set.
64
2 The Export dialog box appears.
images.
OK.
Note: There are no customizable options for export of a page or display set
to HDMV.
5 Click OK. Scenarist Designer PS saves the page or display set, and displays a
confirmation message.
4 Creating presentation graphics

This chapter tells you how to create a presentation graphics file in Photoshop,
launch Scenarist Designer PS, and then export the graphics from Scenarist
Designer PS to the destination high definition projects.
Note: When you export graphics to HDMV, create a graphics file for each slice.
When you export graphics to BD-J, you can choose to create a graphics file for
each slice or for each layer.
Note: When you export graphics to HDMV, output them as 8-bit (256-color).
When you export graphics to BD-J, you can choose to output them as 8-bit (256
color) or 24-bit (true color) graphics.
This chapter includes the following topics:
About presentation graphics (PGs) on page 66
Creating PGs in Photoshop on page 66
Exporting PGs using Scenarist Designer PS on page 69
Exporting PGs to high definition formats on page 72
66
Chapter 4, Creating presentation graphics
About presentation graphics (PGs)

Presentation graphics are most often used for full-color subtitle images; they also
can be used for titles, labels, other information, or purely decorative graphics.
For information about graphic properties for PGs, see Graphic properties on
page 13.
Creating PGs in Photoshop

To create presentation graphics, you define a specific hierarchy of layers within
Photoshop. Because Scenarist Designer PS was initially designed to create
graphics for use with HDMV, the layer structure and naming conventions follow
the HDMV model, regardless of the intended output format. (For more
information about the HDMV model, see HDMV image planes on page 9.)
Note: Even though some of the group objects in the structure are not output to
the target format, they are still required to properly generate the PGs.
The following table explains how the group prefixes are mapped to objects in
the different output formats.
PG prefixes
Layer prefix
PG:
[top layer]
Not used
DS:
Display Set
Not used
W:
Window
Not used
BG:
Common Background
Common Background
None
Image
(or background image)
Image
Creating PGs in Photoshop
67
The name of the top layer, after the PG: prefix, becomes the name of the PG
virtual asset object. The layers below the PG: prefix define the PG group
components:
Display sets are defined with the DS: prefix. For each display set, Scenarist
Designer PS creates an optimized palette. If there is no display set layer in the
Photoshop file, Scenarist Designer PS creates one as part of the export
process.
Windows are defined with the W: prefix. This defines the window that the
composition objects (images) belong too. Only two windows are allowed per
display set. The window size and location is defined by the minimum
rectangle that is used by the child layers the window contains.
Common Backgrounds are defined with the BG: prefix. Common
Backgrounds can be created at the PG, Display Set, or Window level. In PGs,
the BG can be used to create a common background for a set of PGs (for
example, a trivia track).
Images are the windows child layers; they become composition objects in
Scenarist BD. Only two layers are allowed per display set; if there are two
windows under a display set, each can only have one child layer.
68
To create a Photoshop file that Scenarist Designer PS can export to a high

definition format, you must include all of these layers in the file, in the proper
hierarchical order:
Note: The size of the PG is defined by the size of the Photoshop canvas. If the
Photoshop file is not a valid resolution (only 1920x1080, 1280x720, 720x576
allowed), Scenarist Designer PS displays an error message, and terminates the
export.
Note: You can build up the IG structure manually, or you can use the
Photoshop Helper Scripts provided with Scenarist Designer PS. You can read
more about Designer - Generate PG in the Readme.pdf in the Extras folder.
Exporting PGs using Scenarist Designer PS
69

Once you have created your PG file in Photoshop, you are ready to export it to
Scenarist Designer PS.
To export your PGs using Scenarist Designer PS:
1 In Photoshop, open your PG file.
70
2 Choose File > Export > Scenarist Designer PS.

The Startup Dialog appears, see Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas, on
page 41. Set up your Export and then click OK. As Scenarist Designer PS
opens, it adds the elements of the file, optimizes the color palettes, and
performs any necessary dithering to adapt images to the optimized color
palettes.
The Scenarist Designer PS window appears.
71

image.
4 To access single images for preview, expand the Layers Tree completely.
72
Exporting PGs to high definition formats

You can export your entire PG file, a single image layer, a group layer, or a
display set.
If you export an image layer or group layer, no .scenarist.designer file is
created; just a PNG file (in the case of a single image) or a set of folders
containing the relevant PNG files (in the case of a group layer). If the exported
group contains a defined palette, a (.pxml) palette file is written as well.
Exporting all images

1 Click Export in the main window. The Export dialog box appears, with the
same settings that were entered in the Startup Dialog.
Note: You can also right-click the top-level group in the hierarchy, and
choose Export PG.
73
images.
Note: Scenarist BD-J does not accept SPACE characters in project namesif
you are exporting to Scenarist BD-J, and your project name contains a SPACE,
it will be converted to an underscore (_) when you export.
OK.
Note: There are no customizable options for export to HDMV.
4 Click OK. Scenarist Designer PS saves the elements of the PG file to the
74
Exporting a single image layer

To export a single image layer:
1 In the Layer Tree, right-click on the image layer; then choose Export Image
The Save As dialog box appears.
2 Select an appropriate location for the exported image; then click Save.
Scenarist Designer PS saves the PNG file to the selected directory and displays
a confirmation message.
75
Exporting a group layer

Note: To export the top-level group in the hierarchy, see Exporting all images
on page 72.
To export a group layer:
1 In the Layer Tree, right-click on the group layer; then choose Export Group
The Browse For Folder dialog box appears.
76
2 Select an appropriate location for the exported group layer; then click Save.
Scenarist Designer PS saves the group layer to the selected directory and
displays a confirmation message.
Exporting a display set

To export a display set:
1 Right-click on the display set in the Layer Tree and choose Export Display Set.
The Export dialog box appears.
77
images.
3 Optional (for export to BD-J). To customize the optional settings, click
Options, and adjust the settings on the tab for each format you are exporting.
(For more information about the options, see Export Options dialog box on
page 44). Then click OK.
Note: There are no customizable options for export to HDMV.
4 Click OK. Scenarist Designer PS saves the group layer to the selected
directory and displays a confirmation message.
78
5 Creating graphic asset sets

This chapter tells you how to create a file that contains a set of graphics assets in
Photoshop, then launch Scenarist Designer PS to export the file for use in a high
definition project. It includes the following topics:
About graphic assets on page 80
Creating asset sets in Photoshop on page 80
Exporting asset sets using Scenarist Designer PS on page 81
The Export Dialog for Assets on page 84
Reducing colors with Scenarist Designer PS on page 85
80
Chapter 5, Creating graphic asset sets
About graphic assets

Graphic assets are PNGs that can be imported into an authoring tool for use in
IGs and PGs.
For information about graphic properties for IGs, see Graphic properties on
page 13.
Note: It is very convenient to use Photoshop and Scenarist Designer PS to
create sets of graphic assets for use with Scenarist BD. Asset export files created
by Scenarist Designer PS can be imported directly into Scenarist BD, without
using the Still Image Encoder.
Creating asset sets in Photoshop

If the top layer or group in a Photoshop file doesnt have a prefix, then Scenarist
Designer PS considers the file a set of assets for export:
If the PSD contains a group (layer set), Scenarist Design PS considers it to be a

folder of assets. Scenarist Designer PS optimizes all images in the folder to share
the same palette.
Exporting asset sets using Scenarist Designer PS
81
Note: During pre-processing of an asset set, if Scenarist Designer PS finds a layer

or a layer set that has a predefined tag (e.g IG:, or P:), it displays an error
message, and processing stops.

Once you have created your set of assets in Photoshop, you are ready to export
it to Scenarist Designer PS.
To export your asset set using Scenarist Designer PS:
1 In Photoshop, open your assets file.
82
2 Choose File > Export > Scenarist Designer PS. The Startup Dialog appears,
see Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas, on page 41. Set up your Export
and then click OK. As Scenarist Designer PS opens, it adds the elements of
the file, optimizes the color palettes, and performs any necessary dithering to
adapt images to the optimized color palette:
The Scenarist Designer PS window appears:
83

image:
4 To access single images for preview, expand the Layers Tree completely:
6 Right-click on the Layers Tree to Export individual images or groups, or to
Export all layers, click Export, and follow the instructions in the next section.
84
The Export Dialog for Assets

To export assets from Scenarist Designer PS:
1 Click Export. The Export dialog box appears.
images.
about the options, see Asset tab on page 46). Then click OK.
4 Click OK. Scenarist Designer PS saves the elements of the assets file to the
Reducing colors with Scenarist Designer PS
85
Reducing colors with Scenarist Designer PS

You can perform color reduction on a group of images simultaneously, by using
an asset PSD and the Import Folders To Layers script. Before you begin this
procedure, ensure that all of the images you want to change are in the same
folder.
To perform batch color reduction:
1 In Photoshop, select Choose File > Scripts > Import Folder To Layers.
2 Browse to and select the folder containing the images you want to modify,
and click OK. Each file in the selected folder is imported and placed on its
own layer. The layer name is the same as the PNG filename (without the
extension).
3 Optional: Group images for which you want to use the same optimized
palette into layer sets.
4 When the script completes, choose File > Export >Scenarist Designer PS.
5 Preview and examine images and check the color palettes (see Chapter 6,
Managing palettes, on page 87).
Follow the instructions in the preceding section to export the graphics to a high
definition format.
86
6 Managing palettes
This chapter tells you how to work with palettes in Scenarist Designer PS. It
includes the following topics:
Using global palettes on page 88
Saving palettes on page 88
Loading palettes on page 89
88
Chapter 6, Managing palettes
Using global palettes

By default, Scenarist Designer PS generates a palette per page (P:); however, you
can apply the same palette to all pages in a file (or constrain a page to a
particular palette). Scenarist Designer PS analyses all of the layers in the file,
generates the best possible super-palette for all of them, and assigns this palette
to each layer. You can save this palette to a file (see Saving palettes on page 88),
and then apply this palette to other Scenarist Designer PS projects (see Loading
palettes on page 89).
To apply a palette to all pages in a project:
Right-click the top folder in the Scenarist Designer PS window and choose
Optimize Palette.
Saving palettes
You can save the current palette (in .pxml format). After you save a palette, you
can apply it to another project.
Loading palettes
89
To save the displayed palette:
1 Click Save Palette. The Save As dialog box appears.
2 Select an appropriate location for the file; then click Save. Scenarist Designer
PS saves the palette to the selected directory.
Loading palettes
You can load a saved palette file (in .pxml format) to apply it to the currently
selected layer.
To load a palette:
1 Click Load Palette. If the currently displayed palette is not a loaded file,
Scenarist Designer PS asks if you want to save the current palette.
90
Chapter 6, Managing palettes
2 To load a palette file, click No. (To save the palette first, click Yes.) The Open
dialog box appears.
3 Select the palette file you want to load; then click Open. Scenarist Designer
PS loads the palette, and assigns it to the displayed layer.
7 Using Layer Options

This chapter tells you how to use Layer Options (also known as Button Actions
and Properties) which allow you to set properties and actions on HDMV objects
within Photoshop and then have them read into Scenarist BD. It includes the
following topics:
Layer Options Overview on page 92
Setting Layer Options via a Script on page 93
Setting Layer Options Manually on page 94
The Layer Options Log Window on page 102
92
Chapter 7, Using Layer Options
Layer Options Overview

Layer Options are textual information appended to the Photoshop Layer or Layer
Set Name, that instruct Designer to write out special settings for that object.
Layer Options can be applied to Display Sets, BOGs and Buttons. Layer Options
are key:value pairs inside square brackets that appear after the layer prefix and
the layer name. For example:
BOG: MyBog [Accessible:False]
Layer Options are not case sensitive. [Accessible:False] is the same as
[accessible:false] or even [AcceSSible:FalSe].
Layer Options ignore white space between tokens. [Accessible:False] is the same
as [ Accessible: False].
Buttons can have multiple options. These options should be separated by semicolons. Eg.
B: MyButton [Loop:True;Go_Page:MyPage.xmu]
Note: When Layer Options are imported into Scenarist BD, the IG has not been
bound to any PlayList yet, as a result, there is no way to check if the parameters
for the Go_ and Switch_ commands are valid. Thus the responsibility lies
with you to ensure that they are correct. If the value is not valid after the IG is
assigned to a Playlist, Scenarist BD will just skip the command.
Setting Layer Options via a Script
93
Setting Layer Options via a Script

The simplest way to set up Layer Options is to use the Photoshop Helper Script
that is installed along with Designer. Simply choose File > Scripts > Designer Set Layer Options within Photoshop. This Script is context-sensitive, so it will
show a different User Interface depending on whether you have a Button, BOG
or Display Set selected.
The Layer Options available for a Button
94
The Layer Option available for a BOG
The Layer Option available for a Display Set

Each Layer Option is explained in detail in the following section.
Setting Layer Options Manually

If you wish, you can add Layer Options to your PSD manually, by adding the
options to the relevant layers in the document. Scenarist Designer PS will check
the Layer Options during export and ignore invalid or incorrectly formatted
options, so be careful to enter them correctly. Each Layer Option can only appear
once per layer, and there can only be one Go_ command per layer.
95
1 BOG Accessibility
Applicable to: BOG Layer Set
Syntax: BOG: <BogName> [Accessible:True|False]
Example: BOG: MyBog [Accessible:False]
Description:
Controls whether a BOG can be accessed (ie. select or made active) via standard
up/down/left/right navigation. During export Designer-generated auto-slices (i.e.
slices not based on a user-created layer) will be set to Accessible:False, by default.
All other BOGs will be interpreted as if the Accessible:True option was set
(unless this option is set explicitly to False).
2 Button Looping
Applicable to: B Layer Set
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Loop:True|False]
Example: B: MyButton [Loop: False]
Description:
By default buttons with animated states are set to loop the animation. This setting
allows the author to specify that the button will only play the animation once
each time the animated state is selected or activated.If this layer option is not
specified the button will be treated as if the option Loop was set to False (which
is the default when a button is imported in Designer PS 2.5).
3 Go_Title
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Go_Title: <titleID>]
Examples: B: MyButton [Go_Title: "Main"]
Description:
96
Sets code on the button so that when it is activated (actioned, pressed, clicked)
it will cause playback of the disc to jump to the specified title. When imported
into Scenarist BD the following NaviCommand is created:
Command: CallTitle
TitleID
Data Type: Title Entried
Value: <titleID>
4 Go_Chapter
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Go_Chapter: <chapterID>]
Examples: B: MyButton [Go_Chapter: 6]
Description:
it will cause playback of the disc to jump to the specified chapter. When
imported into Scenarist BD the following NaviCommand is created:
Command: LinkMK
PlayListMarkID
Data Type: PLMark Entried
Value: <chapterID> (a PlaylistMark Number*)
* In Scenarist BD, this value is called PL_mark_id, which is the index of PL mark
in Playlist. The value ranges from zero to "number_of_PlayList_marks - 1"
5 Go_Page
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Go_Page: <pageID>]
Example: B: MyButton [Go_Page: "chapterMenu"]
97
Description:
it will cause displaying page to change to page <pageID>. When imported into
Scenarist BD the following NaviCommand is created:
Command: SetSystem
SubCmd: SetButtonPage
Button:
Data Type: NotSet
Value: 0
Page:
Data Type: Page Entried
Value: <pageID>
Note: During import into Scenarist BD, if the Page <pageID> cannot be found in
the current Displayset, a warning will display and the command will not be
created.
6 Switch_Audio_Track
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Switch_Audio_Track: trackNumber]
Example: B: MyButton [Switch_Audio_Track:2]
Description:
it will cause the current audio track to change to the track specified by the
parameter <trackNumber>. Technically speaking the <trackNumber> specifies
which Primary audio stream shall be presented from the Primary audio stream
entries in the STN_table of the current PlayItem. When imported into Scenarist
BD the following NaviCommand is created:
98
Command: SetSystem
SubCmd: SetStream
Operand1: Immediate
Audio:
Data Type: AudioImmediate
Value: <trackNumber>
7 Switch_Subtitle_Track
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Switch_Subtitle_Track: <trackNumber>]
Example: B: MyButton [Switch_Subtitle_Track: 2]
Description:
it will cause the current subtitle track to change to the track specified by the
parameter <trackNumber>. Technically speaking the <trackNumber> specifies
which PG stream or TextST stream shall be presented from the PG TextST stream
entries in the STN_table of the current PlayItem. When imported into Scenarist
BD the following NaviCommand is created:
Command: SetSystem
SubCmd: SetStream
Operand1: Immediate
PG_TextST:
Data Type: PG_TextST Immediate
DisplayFlag: False
Value: <trackNumber>
8 Display_Subtitles
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Display_Subtitles: on|off]
Example: B: MyButton [Display_Subtitles: on]
99
Description:
it will cause the current subtitle track to be turned on or off as determined
specified by the parameter. When imported into Scenarist BD the following
NaviCommand is created:
Command: SetSystem
SubCmd: SetStream
Operand1: Immediate
PG_TextST:
Data Type: Not Set
DisplayFlag: TRUE|FALSE (depending on <displayState>)
9 Video
Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [Video: Play|Pause]
Example: B: MyButton [Video: Pause]
Description:
it will cause video playback to Pause or Play. When imported into Scenarist BD
the following NaviCommand is created:
Pause:
Command: SetSystem
SubCmd: StillOn
Play:
Command: SetSystem
SubCmd: StillOff
100 Chapter 7, Using Layer Options
10
UIModel
Applicable to: DS Layer Set

Syntax: DS: <DSName> [UIModel:AlwaysOn|Popup]
Example: DS: MyDS [Accessible: Popup]
Description:
Controls whether a DS contains an Always On Menu or a Popup Menu. If this
Layer Option is not specified the DS will be interpreted as if it is set to AlwaysOn.
11
Button Auto Action

Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [AA:True|False]
Example: B: MyButton [AA: False]
Description:
By default buttons do not have the Auto Action property set. This setting allows
the author to specify that the button will be auto actioned when selected. If this
layer option is not specified the button will be treated as if the option AA was set
to False.
12
Button Selected Value

Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [SV:<Integer Value (0-9999)>]
Example: B: MyButton [SV: 9999]
Description:
By default buttons do not have the Selected Value property set. This setting
allows the author to specify that the button will have a Selected Value, and what
that value is. If this layer option is not specified the button will be treated as if
the option SV was set to False (unchecked in the button dialog).
Setting Layer Options Manually 101
13
VK_ENTER (User-defined) Event

Syntax: B: <ButtonName> [UserEvent: <eventString>]
Example: B: MyButton [UserEvent: "my|delimited|data"]
Description:
it will cause a user event with a user specified parameter into the code. This layer
option is only applicable to BD-J exports.
102 Chapter 7, Using Layer Options
The Layer Options Log Window

The Layer Options Log Window displays when Scenarist Designer PS is launched
and Layer Options are found in the PSD. The Log Window displays information
about all Layer Options found, and also displays any warnings or errors that it
finds. It also tells you the Object (layer/group name) on which the error was
found.
If Warnings are found, you have the option to Continue the Export, or to Cancel
and return to Photoshop, where you can adjust the Layer Options and then try
Exporting again.
If Errors are found, you have to Cancel the Export and correct the Errors before
Exporting again.
8 Importing graphics into your high

definition projects
This chapter tells you how to use the files created with Photoshop and Scenarist
Designer PS into a Scenarist BD project; it also explains how to make updates to
a HDMV project. It includes the following topics:
Using graphics in Scenarist BD on page 104
Using Designers BD-J output on page 119
104 Chapter 8, Importing graphics into your high definition projects
Using graphics in Scenarist BD

This section explains how to import graphics generated in Scenarist Designer PS
into Scenarist BD, and how to update graphics in Scenarist BD.
Importing files into Scenarist BD

If you create graphics files using Photoshop and Scenarist Designer PS, you can
import them directly into a Scenarist BD project.
To import a Scenarist Designer file into Scenarist BD:
1 Open your project within Scenarist BD.

2 In the Data Tree, right-click the Data folder, and choose Import > Scenarist
Designer file from the shortcut menu.
Using graphics in Scenarist BD 105
The Import Scenarist Designer file dialog box appears.
3 Locate the Scenarist Designer PS file you want to import; then click Open.
The Scenarist Designer Import dialog box appears.
4 Select the proper Frame Rate; then click OK. The Import Result dialog box
appears.
Note: If the imported file is a group of assets, the Scenarist Designer PS

Import dialog box does not appear, since you do not need to set a Frame Rate
for an asset set.
The imported graphics asset appears in the Data Tree.
If you have imported an asset set, the import process is finished. If you have
imported an interactive graphic (IG) or presentation graphic (PG), there are a
few additional steps. These are described in detail below.
Completing IG imports
To complete the import of a Scenarist Designer PS IG:
1 Expand the IG virtual asset in the Data Tree so all of its components are
visible.
2 In the Data Tree, select the IG virtual asset, then set the Acquisition Point
Interval in the Properties window.
3 In the Data Tree, select the first Display Set object, then select or enter
appropriate values in the Properties window.
PTS (Drop Frame) sets the PTS start time for the IG Display Set (in drop
frame contexts); you may need to adjust this value to allow for decoding
time (depending on the size of the IG).
PTS (Non Drop Frame) sets the PTS start time for the IG Display Set (in
non drop frame contexts); you may need to adjust this value to allow for
decoding time (depending on the size of the IG).
User Timeout Duration sets how long the IG Display Set is displayed
with no user activity before it is removed. If set to zero (00:00:00:00), the
duration is infinite; if User Interface Model is Always On, the timeout
duration is taken to be zero (infinite); if User Interface Model is Pop
Up, the IG Display Set disappears after the timeout duration.
Composition Timeout PTS (Drop Frame) sets how long the IG is
displayed (in drop frame contexts) before it is removed.
Composition Timeout PTS (Non Drop Frame) sets how long the IG is
displayed (in non drop frame contexts) before it is removed.
Selection Timeout PTS (Drop Frame) sets the valid interaction time
within an Epoch (in drop frame contexts).
Selection Timeout PTS (Non Drop Frame) sets the valid interaction
time within an Epoch (in non drop frame contexts).
4 Set appropriate Properties values for each Display Set object in the IG.
5 Right-click the IG virtual asset, then choose Encode > Build from the
Shortcut menu. The Save ES file appears.
6 Click Save. Scenarist BD encodes the IG. The Encode result dialog box
appears.
The IG import process is complete.
Completing PG imports
To complete the import of a Scenarist Designer PS PG:
1 Expand the PG virtual asset in the Data Tree so all of its components are
visible.
2 In the Data Tree, select the PG virtual asset, then set the Acquisition Point
Interval in the Properties window.
3 In the Data Tree, select the first Display Set object, then select or enter
appropriate values in the Properties window.
Start Time (Drop Frame) sets the PTS to begin display of the PG (in
drop-frame contexts).
Start Time (Non Drop Frame) sets the PTS to begin display of the PG
(in non-drop-frame contexts).
End Time (Drop Frame) sets the PTS to end display of the PG (in dropframe contexts).
End Time (Non Drop Frame) sets the PTS to end display of the PG (in
non-drop-frame contexts).
4 Set appropriate Properties values for each Display Set object in the PG.
5 Right-click the PG virtual asset, then choose Encode > Build from the
Shortcut menu. The Save ES file appears.
6 Click Save. Scenarist BD encodes the PG. The Encode result dialog box
appears.
The PG import process is complete.
Updating graphics
If you need to change elements of an IG or PG asset created using Photoshop and
Scenarist Designer PS, Scenarist BD makes it possible for you to effect your
changes using those programs, and then update the registered asset as it exists in
your Scenarist BD project. Only certain properties of the various Photoshop
layers (and the HDMV objects they represent) may be updated.
Table 1: IG updateable properties
Photoshop layer
Updateable properties
IG:
[none]
DS:
Display Set
[none]
[none]
Palette
Colors.
P:
Page
[none]
BG:
Common Background
[none]
BOG:
Button Overlap Group
Size, Position.
B:
Button
Size, Position.
N:
Normal State (IG button)
Artwork.
A:
Active State (IG button)
Artwork.
S:
Selected State (IG button}
Artwork.
Table 2: PG updateable properties

Photoshop layer
Updateable properties
PG:
[none]
W:
Window
Size, Position.
DS:
Display Set
[none]
BG:
Common Background
[none]
[none]
Palette
Colors.
<layer>
Composition Object
WindowRef, Position.
In addition, there are certain rules that govern the update process:
The updated file must be of the same type as the project asset being updated.
The name of the updated file must be the same as that of the file originally
imported into your project.
Any item from the originally imported Scenarist Designer PS file that is
missing from the updated Scenarist Designer PS file will be removed from
your project.
Any item that is new to the file is added to the IG/PG tree in your project.
Any changes made to BOGs and buttons will not destroy navigation
commands, unless the BOG/button is being removed.
Any object properties not associated with the visual elements supported by
Scenarist Designer PS remain as set in Scenarist BD (they are not overwritten).
To update a Scenarist Designer PS IG or PG asset:
1 WIthin Photoshop, make any necessary changes to the IG/PG asset. (For more
information, see Creating IGs in Photoshop on page 53, and Creating PGs
in Photoshop on page 66.)
2 Export the IG/PG asset file, using Scenarist Designer PS. (For more
information, see Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS on page 56, and
Exporting PGs using Scenarist Designer PS on page 69.)
3 Close Scenarist Designer PS.
4 Close Photoshop.
5 Launch Scenarist BD and open your project. (For more information, see the
Scenarist BD Authoring User Guide.)
6 In the Data Tree, right-click on the Scenarist Designer PS IG/PG asset you
want to update, and choose Import > Update IG/PG from the shortcut menu.
The Update IG/PG dialog box appears.
7 Locate the Scenarist Designer PS file you want to update.
8 Click Open. The Import Result dialog box appears.
Note: If you right-click on the Data folder in the Data Tree, select Import >
Scenarist Designer PS file from the shortcut menu, and choose a Scenarist
Designer PS file that is already part of your project, the Inquire Update IG/PG
dialog box appears:
To update the existing IG/PG in your project, click Update. To create a new
IG/PG asset in your project (using the same Scenarist Designer PS file), click
Create New.
Note: Scenarist BD 5.1 (and later) features a revised and more powerful update
mechanism. See the Scenarist BD User Guide for more details.
Using Designers BD-J output 119
Using Designers BD-J output

When exporting to BD-J, Scenarist Designer PS generates graphics and an XML
file that can be used by BD-J programmers. The XML file can be converted into a
different data structure, or your BD-J Xlet could parse it while it is running.
While describing Java implementations in detail is beyond the scope of this User
Guide, programmers may want to consider:
Converting the XML file into a Java data structure, or
Parsing the XML file within your BD-J Xlet while it is running
The Schema file for the BD-J XML can be found in Scenarist Designer PS Extras
folder. The XML format is quite straightforward. It differs slightly depending on
whether you export an Image Mosaic or layers/slices. An example of the XML
structure can be found below:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<DesignerBDJExport version="1.0">
<Page name="Main Page" x="0" y="0" width="1920" height="1080">
<Mosaics>
<Mosaic path="\assets\Main Page.png" name="Main Page" width="2753" height="683"
blank="3.04%"/>
</Mosaics>
<Image name="balloon left" x="0" y="397" width="557" height="683">
<Graphic type="mosaic" path="Main Page" name="balloon left" x="0" y="397" width="557"
height="683" mosaicRect="0, 0, 557, 683"/>
</Image>
<Button name="Play" x="0" y="589" width="548" height="92">
<Normal>
<Graphic type="mosaic" path="Main Page" name="play N" x="0" y="589" width="548"
</Normal>
<Active>
<Graphic type="mosaic" path="Main Page" name="play A" x="0" y="589" width="548"
</Active>
<Selected>
<Graphic type="mosaic" path="Main Page" name="play S1" x="0" y="589" width="548"

</Selected>
</Button>
</Button>
</Page>
</DesignerBDJExport>
The above example shows a file using Image Mosaics. When layers or slices are
used, the <Mosaics> node is omitted, and the <Graphic> nodes appear as
follows:
<Image name="balloon left" x="0" y="397" width="557" height="683">
<Graphic type="file" path="\assets\balloon left.png" name="balloon left" x="0" y="397"
width="557" height="683"/>
</Image>
9 Graphic design tips

Unlike BD-J, the HDMV standard restricts interactive and presentation graphics to
256 colors. This presents some design challenges. This chapter offers tips for
dealing with these challenges. It includes the following topics:
HDMV and the 256-color palette on page 122
The background image on page 122
Palettes and alpha channel information on page 123
Dithering on page 125
122 Chapter 9, Graphic design tips
HDMV and the 256-color palette

There are many well-established guidelines for working with 256-color (8-bit)
graphics. There are also a number of tools for reducing images to 8-bit palettes
and for optimizing a series of images to a common palette. Unfortunately, HDMV
offers its own unique challenges: Unlike other 8-bit image formats, HDMV stores
alpha channel information in the palette. This essentially means that alpha
information is stored per color, rather than per pixel. Alpha information is usually
stored in a separate channel that associates a level of transparency (0-255 in an
8-bit alpha channel) with each pixel. This is how files like PNGs work. Other file
formats (like GIF) allow one transparent color in the palette, essentially allowing
for a background of parts of an image to be masked out.
For individual images, theres not too much to worry about. Scenarist BD can
import 8-bit PNGs and create a palette that takes the transparency into account
quite easily. But HDMV assigns a single palette of 256 colors to each Page within
an IG or a PG. If you want to display multiple images (2 or more), when each has
their own 8-bit palette, thats a trickier problem. Even if you reduce each image
to only 128 colors, you still need to create a combined palette somehow. This is
where Scenarist Designer PS comes into play.
Scenarist Designer PS automates the process of finding a common palette, and it
outputs that palette (including alpha values) and all of the images it processed
mapped to that palette. It also cuts up and resizes Photoshop layers into images
suitable for import into Scenarist BD for use as IG or PG elements.
The background image

One of the key things to know about the way Scenarist Designer PS works, and
indeed the way HDMV menus work, is that the Background layer of a menu (the
Background layer in Photoshop) must be implemented as video. In other words,
the background layer is not a graphic: It is always video (either motion video or a
video still).
Palettes and alpha channel information 123
This is actually very useful. It means that the background layer of a static menu
can be very complex (using a full color palette), and there are still 256 colors
available for the interface elements (buttons).
Design Tip: Put as much of the menu as possible into the video background.
Anything that isn't part of a button, e.g. headings, can all go into the video.
Palettes and alpha channel information

Scenarist Designer PS processes the remaining layers in the Photoshop
document, which will typically be buttons. Using custom color reduction
algorithms, Scenarist Designer PS determines the best common palette, maps
each layer to that palette, and then outputs the layer as an image (PNG), ensuring
that all the layers of a single button are the same size. In addition, Scenarist
Designer PS outputs an XML files that describes layout information for all of the
files.
You can open the PNGs that you export in Photoshop or any other Graphics
Editing program, but they may not look correct, because the palette of the PNG
contains alpha (variable transparency) information, rather than the image itself.
In Photoshop, the palette will look like this:
In Scenarist Designer PS, however, the palette looks like this:
As you can see, the two palettes features the same colors, but Photoshop can
only interpret the colors as fully opaque, whereas Scenarist Designer PS also
shows the transparency associated with each color.
Dithering 125
Dithering
Scenarist Designer PS handles color palette reduction by dithering. What does
that do to the images? Here is a comparison. First, the original Photoshop (.psd)
image, enlarged to 500%:
Here is the same image (also at 500%), after Scenarist Designer PS has applied a
dithering algorithm:
As you can see in the dithered image, where an exact color doesnt exist in the
palette, different colors in adjacent pixels are mixed to simulate the missing
colors. The effect is very obvious when the image is enlarged, but at normal size
these images are barely distinguishable.
Dithering 127
That said, dithering and color reduction provides varied results depending on the
nature and complexity of the source image. Take the following example showing
three button states, where tinting is used for the Selected and Active states:
This approach looks good, but unfortunately it uses up colors in the palette
quickly. In fact, if you display four or five chapter thumbnails on a screen with
this kind of design, the quality quickly degrades when Scenarist Designer PS
applies dithering:
Design Tip: Avoid gradients, tints, and excessive anti-aliasing, especially in

combination with photographic images.
So, keep it simple. You can create nifty effects with 256 colors, but there are
limits to what you can do.
Design Tip: Try to design the interface with only 256 colors (or less). If you can
do this, Scenarist Designer PS wont have to color reduce or dither, so you will
have complete control over what the image looks like.
Design Tip: Using a Global Palette will help to prevent Page-to-Page color shifts.
However if the different Pages used to calculate the Global Palette use
dramatically different colors (such as chapter preview thumbnails) the resulting
palette may not have enough colors to render each Page ideally.
Index
Numerics
export options 46
24-bit color
exporting to HDMV 81
exporting assets with 47
updating 114
exporting for BD-J 46

256-color palette, tips for working with 122
8-bit color
exporting assets with 47
tips for working with 122
B
background images in HDMV menus 122
Background plane 11
BD-J
export options 45
BD-J compared with HDMV 8
BD-J output, using 119
Action Buttons 40
BD-ROM specification 13
Action buttons 40
BOGs 53
activating Scenarist Designer PS 18
Buffer Checker 31
buffer usage
Activator Code, entering 19

alpha channel information in HDMV 10, 123
animations 10
assets
about 80
creating in Photoshop 80
BD-J 34
button groups 54
button state 54
Buttons Overlap Groups 53
130 Index
IGs to HDMV 56
color palette reduction and dithering 125
image layer to HDMV 61, 74
color support and HDMV 10
PGs to HDMV 69
colors, reducing 85
Eyedropper tool 29
common backgrounds 54, 67

creating
assets in Photoshop 80
flattened composites, outputting 44
graphic asset sets 79
flattening layers 15
interactive graphics 51
interactive graphics in Photoshop 53
presentation graphics 65
presentation graphics in Photoshop 66
G
global palettes 88
graphic assets
about 80
creating 79
devices, BD-J 11
display sets 53, 67
Dither options 39
dithering and color palette reduction 125
updating 114
graphic planes
BD-J 11
HDMV 9
E
effects 15
encoded size 32
error messages, buffer checker 33
export options
graphic properties 13
graphics files, exporting to Scenarist Designer PS 17
group layer, exporting to HDMV 62, 75
group prefixes 15
Assets 46
BD-J 45
HDMV 41, 42, 44
Hand tool 31
HDMV
Palette tab 48
exporting
export options 41, 42, 44
assets to HDMV 81
exporting assets to 81
files to Scenarist Designer PS 17
exporting IGs to 56
group layer to HDMV 62, 75
exporting PGs to 69
Index 131
HDMV, compared with BD-J 8
J
Java Graphics plane 11
I
IG effects 10
Ignore groups 54
IGs
launching Scenarist Designer PS 17

Layer options
about 10, 52
BOG Accessibility 95
creating 51
Button Auto Action 100
Button Looping 95
Button Selected Value 100
importing into Scenarist BD 107
compatibility 45
updating 114
Display_Subtitles 98
image layer, exporting to HDMV 61, 74

Image Mosaic
exporting for Assets 46
image planes
BD-J 11
HDMV 9
image prefixes 15
images 67
Import Folder to Layers script 85
indexed color and HDMV 10
Information Display 37
interactive graphics
about 10, 52
creating 51
updating 114
Interactive plane 10
Go_Chapter 96
Go_Page 96
Go_Title 95
Loop 95
Pause/Play 99
Setting via Script 93
Switch_Audio_Track 97
Switch_Subtitle_Track 98
UIModel 100
UserEvent 101
Video 99
VK_ENTER 101
layers
exporting for Assets 46
exporting group, to HDMV 62, 75
exporting image, to HDMV 61, 74
flattened 15
naming conventions 14
shape 15
132 Index
creating presentation graphics in 66
structure 14
text 15
Layers Tree 27
required version 7
planes, image
BD-J 11
loading palettes 89
HDMV 9
prefixes
group 15
masks 15
memory buffer 34
image 15
presentation graphics
about 10, 66
Movie plane 10
creating 65
opening Scenarist Designer PS 17
optimizing palettes 88

updating 114
Presentation plane 10
pages 53
Preview area 28
properties
Palette area 35
palettes
updateable, IG 114
updateable, PG 115
global 88
loading 89
managing 87
saving 88
reducing colors 85
about 10, 66
PGs
creating 65
updating 114
Photoshop
creating assets in 80
creating interactive graphics in 53
saving palettes 88
Scenarist Designer PS window 23
sending files to Scenarist Designer PS 17
sets of graphic assets, creating 79
shape layers 15
Show Background control 25
Show Button Slices control 26
size, IG 32
Index 133
size, PG 32
slices
Startup Dialog
Palette tab 48
Startup Dialog box 41
T
text layers 15
Toolbar 28
Trim
asset export options 47
Trim asset layers 47
V
Video plane 11
W
windows 67
Z
Zoom drop-down list 38
Zoom tool 28
134 Index

Scenarist Designer PS UserGuide Win

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Scenarist Designer PS UserGuide Win

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Scenarist Designer PS UserGuide Win

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is the software described in the manual?

What is the software described in the manual?

What are some of the file formats that can be exported?

What are some of the file formats that can be exported?

SONIC

Copyright 2006-2009 Sonic Solutions. All rights reserved.

Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Workflow and work areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Creating interactive graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Exporting IGs using Scenarist Designer PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Creating presentation graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Creating graphic asset sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Using Layer Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

The Layer Options Log Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Importing graphics into your high definition projects . . . . . .103

Graphic design tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

1 Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

Chapter 1, Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

High definition graphic formats

High definition graphic formats

HDMV image planes

Flight through History

Chapter 1, Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

which can be used as subtitles, titles, labels, or purely decorative graphics.

High definition graphic formats

BD-J image planes

Flight through History

Flight through History

Java Graphics plane

Chapter 1, Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

The three BD-J image planes are layered:

Java Graphics plane

Palette limitations for HDMV graphics

Chapter 1, Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

Graphic layers and Photoshop

Exported XML represents

Graphic layers and Photoshop

Scenarist HDMV object

Scenarist BD-J object

Display Set (IG and PG)

Button Overlap Group (IG)

Scenarist HDMV object

Scenarist BD-J object

Normal (IG button)

Normal (IG button)

Active (IG button)

Active (IG button)

Selected (IG button)

Selected (IG button)

Chapter 1, Introduction to Scenarist Designer PS

2 Workflow and work areas

Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas

Using Scenarist Designer PS

1 In Photoshop, open your completed graphics file.

Using Scenarist Designer PS

Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas

Using Scenarist Designer PS

Chapter 2, Workflow and work areas

Workflow for creating and exporting graphics

tool, the Eyedropper tool, and the Hand tool.