Sonic Solutions has introduced Scenarist Designer PS 2.1, an update to its Adobe Photoshop plug-in for designing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc menus. The software integrates with Sonic’s Scenarist authoring applications and can simultaneously output colour-optimised, format-compliant menu graphics for Blu-ray Disc HDMV and BD-J as well as HD DVD HDi.
Version 2.1 adds support for authoring systems not based on Scenarist, extending the plug-in’s use to other high-definition graphics workflows. Sonic said Scenarist Designer PS 2.1 is available immediately through its dealers.
The plug-in runs on Mac OS and Windows and can prepare advanced content areas for both high-definition disc formats. Sonic described it as the only Photoshop plug-in at the time able to process standard Blu-ray Disc HDMV menu content.
Designer PS uses familiar Photoshop techniques, including layer groups for button elements, so artists can concentrate on visual design without manually handling format conversion. Finished menu designs can be exported automatically to one or more formats, avoiding the repeated assembly of individual components for each authoring project. The software also supports work with HDMV RGBA palettes.
Rolf Hartley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sonic’s Professional Products Group, said version 2.1 was intended to bring the workflow to more designers, whether they use it with Scenarist or value its menu-production speed and efficiency in other authoring systems.
