Tips

Collapsing items in the map view

The iDVD map view lets you hide and show segments of your content’s navigational hierarchy, making it easier to keep track of complex projects. Click the small triangle next to an item in the map view and watch as all items below it are hidden. Click the triangle again to have the items reappear.

Using the icons to identify the item in a map

When working in the map view, you’ll notice a small icon in the upper left corner of an item. This icon will either be a movie slate, picture, or folder, identifying the item as a movie, slideshow, or menu. You can also identify which element of your DVD an item represents from the thumbnail image of the item’s contents.

Using the icons to determine when a menu is not complete

Map view is a great way to see work that needs to be completed in your iDVD project before it is ready for burning. A map view object will include a small warning indicator in the lower left corner as long as the object is not set properly, like a menu with no menu entries, or a movie button without an attached movie. You can move your mouse over the warning indicator to reveal a description of the issue.

Using map view to rearrange segments of your DVD

Map view provides a quick way to move multiple items for your DVD. Select a menu and drag it to a different location in the menu hierarchy. When you release the mouse, you’ll see the menu reattach to the new location. You can also reassign movies and slideshows in this way.

Using map view to delete segments of your DVD

Map view lets you quickly delete items from your DVD. Select any item in the map view and press the Delete key on your keyboard. The item and any items below it in the map view are automatically deleted. Remember that if you do this accidentally you can always choose Undo from the Edit menu. If you would like to delete a mid section of a DVD project, but would like the remaining end sections to automatically reconnect to the existing section, simply select the area you want to delete and Control-click to reveal the context sensitive menu.

Using map view to set transitions for a menu

Map view also affords an easy way to set transitions for menus. With map view visible, select one or more menus. Click Buttons and select a transition from the Transition pop-up menu. You’ll see a small blue dot applied to items beneath the menu, indicating they have a transition applied.

Creating a DVD with a movie or slideshow that plays automatically

iDVD lets you create a movie or slideshow that plays as soon as the disc is inserted into a DVD player. In iDVD, this process is known as creating an AutoPlay movie. In map view, you’ll notice an item at the top of the map labeled "Drag content here to automatically play when the disc is inserted." Drag a movie or slideshow to that item, and the movie or slideshow will start playing as soon as the disc is inserted.

Steps

Practice using the iDVD map view

1. Click the Map button at the bottom of the iDVD window and the iDVD map view appears.
2. Click the buttons in the bottom left of the map view to change between a horizontal and vertical view of your project.
3. Use the slider at the bottom of the window to zoom in on your project and out again.
4. With the map view zoomed in on your project, select your main menu and click Add Submenu from the Add button.
5. Your new menu has a yellow warning sign indicating the menu is not complete.
6. Mouse over your new menu to reveal the message, "Menu contains no buttons." These warning indicators help you identify which elements of your DVD have not been finished yet.
7. Select your new menu and add a movie and slideshow using the Add button. The red warning signs indicate your movie and slideshow are not yet complete.
8. Select your new menu and apply a theme from the Themes pane.
9. Double-click an item in the map view to go directly to it for further editing.
10. To exit the map view click the Return button in the lower-right corner of the map view.