Autorun CD

Autorun CD Menu

A CD menu meets everything expected of a start application autorun CD. One of its largest advantages, however, is that it makes it possible for documents such as html, PowerPoint, Pdf, txt etc. to be started from the user interface in addition to applications (programs.exe).

The advantages of using a CD menu as the starting application of an autorun CD

• Quick to load
• The user gets a fast response after inserting a CD
• The user receives immediate information about the CD and its contents
• Users have the option of aborting and ending the CD menu immediately
• Users are offered a graphic user interface
• Users can decide for themselves which documents or presentations they want to see and in which order
• The user can decide whether or not to repeat a presentation
• Files can be started as well as programs
• The creator of the CD can ask users to agree to terms of use before using the CD
• The option of password-protecting access to the CD menu is available to CD creators
• The creator of the CD can save documents on the CD in an encoded form

CD Menu Software

A large number of CD menu software programs can be found on the internet as shareware. Depending on which archive you visit, they are listed under categories such as "CD Menu Creator", "CD Menu Maker", "CD Menu Builder", "CD Menu Designer" and "Launcher".

CD menu software has progressed so far that it is now possible for non-computer programmers to create CD menus. Anyone with average computer skills can now create a great CD menu.

Here is an example created with CDMenuPro software to demonstrate just how simple creating a CD menu is.

CDMenuPro has been specially designed to create graphic autostart CD menu applications for companies and individuals and is incredibly easy to use. It comes with a large number of templates and project assistants that enable anyone to create professional results in no time at all.

There are three versions of CDMenuPro available at different prices: the business version with lots of add-on programs, a personal version for private use and a small edition with limited scope for smaller budgets.

Here is a small selection from the CDMenuPro template library. You will find more detailed information about CDMenuPro here: CDMenuPro...

Free CDMenuPro trial

You will find a free CDMenuPro trail version and more information about the program at the CDMenuPro website: » CDMenuPro...

Interested?

If you would like to give CDMenuPro a try, you will find step-by-step instructions for a small demo project here. It will take you less than 15 minutes.

All you have to do is download the CDMenuPro trial version and install the program by double clicking on the download file.

Download CDMenuPro

Creating an autorun CD menu with CDMenuPro

Start the CDMenuPro Editor and select "...create empty project" from the CDMenuPro Start Center. Specify the folder in which you would like to save your project. Copy all of the files, documents, images and/or programs that you would like CDMenuPro to reference into this folder. Do not use empty spaces in the path and file names of your CD project and choose short folder and file names. This folder will represent the future root directory of the CD.

Linking a .txt file to the menu

Preparations
First of all, create a .txt file in Windows notepad by entering a short demo text. Name this file "Demo-Text.txt" and save it in the project folder that you created in the previous step.

Linking the text file to the CD Menu
In the CDMenuPro Editor click on the symbol for Windows Explorer in the tool bar (on the right-hand side of the tool bar). Doing this will start Windows Explorer, which will be displaying the contents of your project folder. Arrange the Windows Explorer and the CDMenuPro Editor windows next to each other on your screen. In the Explorer window left click on the "Demo-Text.txt" symbol and drag it into the Menu window with your left mouse key pressed. Release the mouse key and a button linking to the demo text is automatically inserted into the menu window. In the button's properties window, click on the "Text" tab and enter "Demo Text" into the field before closing the dialog window with OK.

Testing your first CD menu

Select "Project - Test" from the CDMenuPro Editor menu bar; you might have to close the project check report window first. The CD menu that you have just created is now being displayed on your screen. Click on the "Demo-Text" button and Windows Notepad is opened together with the text file that you created. Close Notepad followed by the menu by clicking on the "Exit" button.

It's just as easy to link any other documents or file types with the menu once you have copied these into the project folder or a sub-folder contained therein.

Background image
Create a background image using your graphics software. Your image should be no larger than 640 x 480 pixels (standard VGA resolution). Here you can use the images available for your company's website, logos and your business's corporate colors. Remember to keep your corporate identity in mind. Save your image in the project folder created previously.

Select the following from the Editor's menu bar: "Properties - background image" and click on the "Browse..." button in the dialog window that opens. Select the background image that you have just created. Please Note: using a background image is optional.

Selecting an image for the buttons
Highlight the "Exit" button by left clicking on it. Now right click on the button and select "Properties" from the pop-up menu. In the properties dialog window, click on the "Position, style" tab and then check "Bitmap" for the button style option. Now click on "Create button (Button Creator)..."; this starts an add-on program which can be used to create a graphic design for your button. Select the button type you would like to use from the left hand window of the ButtonCreator. Specify its width, height and color and then select "Save file" from the menu bar. Name your image. Close the properties dialog window for the button with OK.

Now test your CD menu in the same way as described above.

Create your first CD Menu with just a few clicks

Free CDMenuPro trial

You will find a free CDMenuPro trail version and more information about the program at the CDMenuPro website: » CDMenuPro...

Glossary

CD Menu
A CD Menu has a graphic user interface and provides an interactive way for users to navigate computer programs. It makes it possible to choose and activate a particular action from a list of possible actions without having to know or use the exact command strings in text form or keyboard shortcuts. An autorun menu is a special kind of menu that is used for CD ROMs or DVD ROMs on computers running the Windows operating system. The autorun feature of the operating system is used to open a menu window automatically when a CD is inserted into the CD drive.

CD Menu Software
A program for creating and editing CD menu applications.

Autorun CD, also known as an autoplay CD or autostart CD
Autorun, autoplay and autostart are three different terms for the same function. When a CD is inserted into the CD ROM drive on a Windows Computer, a program is started automatically. A multi-media presentation is one of the most common uses. If the CD contains several presentations or documents, it makes good sense to start the CD with an autorun CD menu, which tells the user about the type and content of the CD and which can be used to start the presentations, documents and programs with the help of buttons.