MakeCDROM v4.2 by KillerSoftware LLC.
 

MakeCDROM is a full-featured visual authoring package for creating interactive multimedia menus for presentations that appear automatically when your CD-ROM gets inserted into a drive.  This is a must for anyone distributing software or content on CD-ROM.  This Shareware version is $19.95 (US) and FREE to use. [Can only create 3 hotspots until it is registered]

Overview:

Create a beautiful Autorun menu for a CD-ROM easily. Place your images on a background image, then select the action, and rollover image and off you go. MakeCDROM visual development environment makes it easy to create impressive CD-ROM menus. Defined actions can execute programs, play sounds, jump to web sites, play MP3s, view documents, play AVIs and more! A must for anyone distributing software or content on CD-ROM.

MakeCDROM will create ALL files needed in the defined Staging Folder.  MakeCDROM will create an "Autorun" application that will display your defined Background Image when it loads.  By moving the mouse around to "HotSpots" (areas on the image) it will display the defined Rollover Image.  (and possibly play a WAV file)  If the user then clicks on the mouse the defined Action will be launched for that HotSpot.  MakeCDROM uses only .GIF and .BMP image file types.

** NOTE **: For more help, Download a MakeCDROM Sample HERE.   Then go to our web site HERE for help.

How to Use MakeCDROM: 

• View the Step By Step file
• NEW! View a Slide Show to help

Main form Menus: (look below)

• File -> New - This will allow you to create a NEW project file.  Just enter in a filename of the project and hit OK.
• File -> Open - This will allow you to open an existing project file. (.cdrom files)
• File -> Open Last - This will open the last .cdrom project file you were working on.
• File -> Save - This will save the current project file, and copy all files to the Staging Folder (.cdrom file)
• File -> Close - This will close the current project file.
• File -> Exit - This will exit the application.

• Project -> Save/Build - This will save the current project file, and copy all files to the Staging Folder (.cdrom file)
• Project -> Test Run - This will launch the 'autorun' program from the Staging Folder.
• Project -> Upgrade older project file - This gives you the ability to upgrade a MakeCDROM v3 project file to version 4 (.cdrom file extension)

• Register - This will open a browser and send you to a secure server to register MakeCDROM

• Settings -> Show Tooltip Help - This will turn off/on all tooltips for all fields and controls on the forms
• Settings -> Show all Dialogs/Messages - This will turn off/on all Warning dialogs like ('Are you sure you want to exit...') as well as warn you when MakeCDROM copies over all files to the staging folder.
• Settings -> Replace Staging on Save - If checked, and when the Save button is hit, MakeCDROM will remove all files from the staging folder first, then copy over all the needed files.

Form Fields: (from above)

• CD Title - The text that will appear in the window title of the Autorun application. (Note: If you leave this blank, the Autorun program will look like a splash screen)
• Staging Folder - All files defined will be copied to this folder.  This folder should be empty before you begin.  This is the folder that you will burn to a CD when completed. [required]
• Background Image - An image file for the background of the Autorun application. [required] (Usually this is 640x480 but can be smaller.  Larger resolutions are NOT recommended)
• Opening WAV - This file will play when the Autorun application gets executed.
• Edit HotSpot - This is used to select a HotSpot.  just click on the pulldown menu to select a HotSpot label and to add a new HotSpot, just select "<New>".
• AutoRun Filename - Name of your Autorun executable. Usually this is autorun.exe, but can be anything that ends in .exe.
• AutoRun Icon - Use this to define your own icon (.ico file) for the Autorun program.

Check boxes: (should only be used when background image is 640x480)

• Show 'browse' button - If this is checked a 'Browse' button appear on the Autorun application so a user can browse the CDROM.
• Show 'exit' button - If this is checked a 'Exit' button will appear on the Autorun application so a user can exit the application.

Buttons:

• Edit - This allows you to edit the selected HotSpot. (note: this button will be disabled until a project is created or opened) 
• Save - Save the current project file to disk
• Test Run - This will launch  your Autorun application. (remember to Save first if you made changes)
• Exit - Exits MakeCDROM.

Editing a HotSpot:

Form Fields: (from above)

• HotSpot Name - Enter a Name for the HotSpot.  [required] 
• Tool Tip - This tip will appear on your menu with a mouse over action.
• Action 1,2,3 - Select an action from this pulldown list. [Action 1 is required] All Actions will be executed sequentially.
• Parameter - Browse for any type of file to be launched from the Autorun application.  (ex. 'setup.exe') If you selected an Action like "Show Message" then just type in the text  [required on most Actions]
• Rollover Image - An image file that will overlay the background image. [required]
• Images' top left coordinate (X) - This is the X coordinate integer value for the Rollover Image defined above. Hit the Locate button to define these numbers.  [required]
• Images' top left coordinate (Y) - This is the Y coordinate integer value for the rollover image above.  Hit the Locate button to define these numbers.  [required]
• Rollover WAV - This file will play when the mouse is over the Rollover Image defined above.
• Click WAV - This file will play when the user clicks on the Rollover Image defined above.
• Exit Menu checkbox - Select this checkbox is you would like the autorun program to exit after it launches the correct application.

Checkboxes: 

• All nested files - This checkbox will only be enabled if the "Execute a File" Action is selected.  If it is checked, and when the project is Saved, MakeCDROM will copy all files and subfolder(s) to the Staging folder for this Action.  (this is useful for nested menus, or a "setup.exe" file that requires other .dll type files)

Buttons:

• OK - This button will Save the current HotSpot and return to the main menu. 
• Delete - This button will Delete the current HotSpot and return to the main menu. 
• Cancel - This button will NOT save any changes, and return to the main menu. 
• Define - This button will be enabled ONLY when the Play AVI or Open Text File Actions are selected. Click and drag the gray area to define the desired location.  If you are trying to place an AVI file, select the top left location with your mouse and select an area, then hit the "Autosize" button.  MakeCDROM will compute the length and width and create the perfect area for you.
• Locate - This button helps you place the rollover image on your canvas. 

How to place your rollover Image on the background:

• Click and drag your mouse.  The rollover image will follow it.  To drop the image in the correct spot, just release the mouse button.  NOTE:  the rollover image will disappear.  Just move the mouse over the newly dropped image, and it will appear. (like a rollover)   Use the 4 arrows to guide it as well.

How to select an area for your AVI or text area on the background:

• Move the mouse to the desired top left location, and click and drag the mouse to the desired lower right area, and release.
• If you want to place a AVI file, you can also use the AutoSize button.  To do this select the desired top left location, and click and drag the mouse just a bit, and release.  Then hit the AutoSize Button.  It will compute the correct size of the AVI file, and place it in the area with the correct dimensions.

Available Actions: (All Actions in BOLD require a Parameter)

NOTES about the Actions: 

• If you select the Ask Yes/No Action, and the user hits "No", then MakeCDROM will jump the 2nd Action and run the 3rd.  If the user selects "Yes" then the next Action will be executed.
• If you select the Execute a File action, and you select a file with a ".exe" file extension, MakeCDROM will wait until that program finishes before stepping to the other Actions. 
• You can only select the Actions Play AVI and Open Text File on the Action 1 pull down menu.  You must define coordinates, so use the Define button to define the correct location.
• If you want static animated images on the background that are NOT hotspots, use the No Rollover action.

Tips/Tricks: 

• Say you want MakeCDROM to launch an action as soon as the "autorun.exe" file gets executed.  To do this just make sure the HotSpot Name starts with an exclamation point.  You will not need to input an image name or coordinates since no image is associated with it.

FAQ: Go HERE for the FAQ's online

Files that are included when you install MakeCDROM:

MakeCDROM will install the program files and help files in addition to 3 sub-folders: 

• Images - This folder contains play and stop type images for you to use.
• Interfaces - This folder contains sample background images and Interfaces to use in addition some include the rollover image samples as well.
• Wavs - This folder contains sample .WAV audio files to use with your project.

How do I Register?

MakeCDROM  is Shareware, and the registration fee only costs $19.95 US dollars. Once you register, all newer versions will also registered to you.  

There are 4 ways to register:

1) Go to RegSoft.com and use a major credit card. Once your payment has been verified RegSoft will E-Mail you the registration code. (this is a secure server)

2) E-mail us at sales@killersoftware.com, and I will send you the information you need to register via snail mail.

3) To order via Fax, fill out the form here: https://www.regsoft.com/cgi-bin/faxform.pl?31440=FAX

4) To order via Phone:  Call 1-877-REGSOFT (734-7638) (international orders please call 770-497-9126)  The Product ID of MakeCDROM is 31440.

Notes:

Look HERE for the newest version of MakeCDROM.

MakeCDROM was written by KillerSoftware LLC.

E-Mail us at questions@killersoftware.com with any comments and/or questions.