Replicating workflow

Hi,
Is it possible to replicate a kind of workflow in Apex? We need to create something that would manage steps and validations like Oracle Workflow.
Thanks

gfrancoeur,
ApEx was is not a work flow engine per say but it's very easy to accomplish work flow with it. The problem may be in changing the flow which would require recoding. Many expensive work flow programs try to make this easy with drag and drop screens and such. Personally, I like being able to do what we do in ApEx/Oracle where we have more control. And if a flow is well designed to being with, then change is not too frequent.
There are also examples of people integrating ApEx with plflow which is an open source PL/SQL workflow engine.
http://plflow.sourceforge.net/
In fact, Scott Stegemann will be presenting on this at ODTUG this year:
http://www.odtugkaleidoscope.com/applicationexpress.html
Good luck!
Regards,
Dan
http://danielmcghan.us
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tapigen

Similar Messages

Replicating Circulation workflow in Sharepoint Online

Hi,
I am looking at replicating the circulation workflow in SharePoint Online, but without success.
The requirement is to send a policy document to one or more employees and capture their "signature" - could be just a text field with their name printed in - when they press "I agree" button.
Idea is to make a new employee read through and capture their consent in some way.
I did research third party products like DocRead, but I am looking for something simple and within SharePoint Online.
I am not a C# programmer - greatly appreciate your help!
Regards,
E K

Only way is to achieve it using Javascript. No out of box option available
http://sharepoint.stackexchange.com/questions/71014/show-users-page-document-on-first-time-login
Create list of users on site root. In list create boolean field for Policy agreement. Then you can use jQuery on checked. Code needs to be adjusted. I removed a lot from working code I use in similiar solution.
$(document).ready(function() {
$("input[id$='BooleanField']").click(function(){
if($(this).is(':checked')) {
var taskDesc = $($(this).closest('tr').children(":first")).eq(0).text();
completeSelectedTask(taskDesc);
function completeSelectedTask(taskDesc) {
var queryStr = "<Query> <Where><And><Eq> <FieldRef Name='Assignee'/> <Value Type='Text'>" + loginName + "</Value> </Eq><Eq> <FieldRef Name='Title'/> <Value Type='Text'>" + taskDesc + "</Value> </Eq></And></Where> </Query>";
$().SPServices({
operation: "GetListItems",
async: false,
listName: "SharePointCustomUserListNameHERE",
CAMLQuery: queryStr,
CAMLViewFields: "<ViewFields> <FieldRef Name='Title' /><FieldRef Name='Assignee' /><FieldRef Name='Completed' /> </ViewFields>",
completefunc: function (xData, Status) {
CompleteListItem(xData, status)
function CompleteListItem(xData, status) {
var itemId;
var itemTitle;
$(xData.responseXML).find("z\\:row").each(function () {
itemId = $(this).attr("ows_ID");
itemTitle = $(this).attr("ows_Title");
$().SPServices({
operation: "UpdateListItems",
aysnc: false,
batchCmd: "Update",
ID: itemId,
listName: "SharePointCustomUserListNameHERE",
valuepairs: [["Completed", "True"]],
completefunc: function(xData, Status) {
if (Status == 'success') {
//var msg = "The assigned task '" + itemTitle + "' has been marked as complete.";
//messageId = SP.UI.Notify.addNotification(msg, false);
else {
alert(Status +' : There was a problem adding your information to the database. Please try again or contact Internal Support at 812-468-1000.');
This should all go into site page where user list was created. You could then add javascript code to home page to check if user has task completed in list. If not then redirect to your site page mentioned above.
If this helped you resolve your issue, please mark it Answered

Best WorkFlow For Replicated Disc

I come here, as I am certain others do, as much to help as to learn.
My question for a replicated disc.
Is it best to encode to test DVD R at bit rates consistent with compatibility?
And then once everything works, reencode at maximum bit rates of 9 mbps with AC3 audio for a test disc for replication?
Does that produce the high quality output for a replicated disc?

Yeah David- that's very true. I wasn't really thinking all that much when I wrote the last post. However, I think what I meant to put out there was the fact that if you use DLT, you'll be able to compress for and have replicated a DVD-9 instead of a DVD-5, which will, of course, allow for a much better compression ratio. Also, the error level on DLT will be lower as it is usually spun off to SCSI HDs before it is cut to the Glass master. Finally, using DLT tape would allow you to implement CSS copyright standards. Again, all more expensive, but just trying to give you the info. Good Luck!
--Justin S.

How to use SAP Business Workflow along with Interactive Adobe Form

Hi Experts,
I am working on SAP Business Workflow since last couple of years.
Now i have got a new Project where client wants to use SAP Business Workflow along with Interactive Adobe Form.
I am new to Interactive Adobe Form and Portal thing and i really dont know from where to start.
We have one central system and 2 local systems. when we do create a Material document using adobe form workflow should trigger and notification should go to group of users who can approve or reject it, once they approve it document gets created in central system and replicated to 2 local system through ALE.
In the Local system they do extend the document to different plants, again workflow triggers and notification will go to Managers inbox for the approval.
Once the final approval done data should go and store in SAP.
Now here i have couple of Questions.
1. In SAP R3 Business workflow when i execute the workitem from the inbox i do get the application screen ( i.e. MM01 MRP View ) , what is going to happen if the same case i have with Adobe form?? is it possible or do we have to design a adobe form and we will have to map the fields with backend application??
2. Do i have to maintained 3 separate Org Structure for 3 different system or using UWL i can manage the show
3. Untill final submit is not done, where the application data is going to be, is there any kind of buffer that we will have to keep it or its there with XML file??
Please help me out.
Thanks in Advance.
Regards,
Manoj

Hi Manoj,
Welcome to ADOBE Forms related Workflow Development. Well, here are my answers.
1) You can go for either go for ISR based development or WD development with Adobe form. In both the cases you can achieve your requirement. Yes, you will have to design the Adobe form and bind the fields to backend.
2) Am not clear or your System landscape to advice you in these regards.
3) Until final Submit/Approval is done, the data can be stored in WORKFLOW CONTAINERS or XML FORM(If you go for ISR based Development).
Hope this helps.
Regards
Raja Sekhar

Replicating the app functionality from OIM 10g to OIM 11gR2

Hi,
I have a resource object with an object form and a process form and approval, provisioning configured in OIM 10g design console. Provisioning is manual provisioning assigned to a particular group based on a task assignment adapter. For replicating the same in OIM 11gR2 i followed the following steps.
1. Created a Resource object in Design console.
2. Created a dummy IT Resource ( Since while creating app instance it is having IT Resource as Mandatory field. * Is there any way to skip this as i do not have any IT resource in my original app as it is going for manual provisioning?)*
3. Created a process form in Design Console with the same fields as present in my 10g app process form.
4. Now i need to Create an app instance and select the created resource object and IT resoource. Also i need to create a form associated with the app instance in which i will add the fields as present in the object form in my 10g app. ( Here i am not understanding how data will flow from object form to process form since there is no data flow mapping here)
5. Other steps like creating the SOA composite with human tasks and deploying it and after that creating approval policies is pretty much clear.
Please clarify whether the steps are correct and also the queries which i have posted in between. Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Durgaprasad
Edited by: Durgaprasad on Jan 17, 2013 3:38 AM

Thanks Gyanprakash. Wll disconnected resource trigger our custom approval process if we select the resource name properly in scope in operational level approval policy. Have you tried a disconnected resource with your custom approval process. Because i read the following lines in admin guide
Oracle Identity Manager supports provisioning of disconnected resources by using the SOA worklist for manual provisioning of disconnected resources. After the role-based provisioning decision or SOA request approval is complete and the corresponding application instance is determined to be a disconnected application instance, a new SOA workflow is started. This new SOA workflow is assigned to the manual provisioning administrator.
So i thought disconnected app instance will have its own approval process configured during the creation and it will route accordingly. So just wanted to clarify how to make disconnected app instance to trigger our approval. will approval policay take care of it as i am going to select the name of the disconnected app in the scope field.

How to notify a team when Product is replicated to CRM from MDM?

Hi All,
MDM is the back-end for SAP CRM in our project. Product is created and replicated from MDM to CRM via XML interface for Products, it is one way replication process. Recently we have implemented Opportunity management in which these products are being used. For that, we have updated Sales Area and Pricing to all the products in CRM with a custom report.
Now the requirement is, when a product is created and replicated to CRM from MDM, a team should be notified about this. So that, they would maintain the responsible sales area and pricing in replicated Product to use it in Oppt.
Could you please guide me how to map this requirement in our system. Kindly help me with the feasibility and solution overview of the above requirement.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Maddy

Hi Maddy,
Would recommend workflow technique to explore if you have not done yet. Refer below link which I believe will help you a lot.
SAP MDM Workflow
Rgds
Hari

SEND MAIL STEP IN WORKFLOWS.

hi gurus,
The send mail step sends a notification to the sap inbox of the user. This step works fine in a client, whereas it fails in another......I am not aware of the reason.
Regards,
Sukumar.

hi,
please check the agent finding rule is failed in the log or the background job is scheduled properly inorder to schedule or delver the mails using the transaction : swnconfig if it EP 5.0 or above.
if it is issue with the workflow like buffer problem, then try this technique
You have changed your workflow template in client 000. If you look to the workflow definition in another client with SWDD, then you see the newest version as just maintained in client 000. But at runtime, the old (former) version of the workflow definition is used.
Cause:
When activating a workflow template, then also some client specific data is replicated from client 000 to the other clients. In this replication there is currently an error. I just talked to a workflow colleague. The problem we have observed seems to be just the tip of an iceberg ... . They are working on the issue(s) related to this.
Workaround:
Execute function module SWD_WFD_REPLICATE_FROM_9999 in the client, you need to have the newest template definition. Enter your workflow template ID (with pattern "WSxxxxxxxx") in parameter IM_TASK and execute. Make sure that you do not lock the template in SWDD.
Then you also (may) need to execute transaction SWU_OBUF to synchronize the buffer
i hope this answers your query.
Regards,
Saujanya

Replicated DVD Title Playback Issues (~ 1 out of 20 disks)

Replicated Disc Playback Issues
I recently authored 4x DVD titles using DVD SP 4 in conjunction w/ Compressor 3.0.5. Media was compressed using Compressor “DVD: Best Quality 120 minutes” setting, imported and then built/formatted in DVD SP. The project masters were formatted to Verbatim 4.7 GB DVD-R out of DVD SP without any issue in the log window. I then watched all titles from start to finish on a home set-top player without any playback issues.
The DVD-R disk masters were then shipped to a glass master company, w/o error and verified with an Eclipse system…then back to the Replication house where 1000 copies for each title where made. I watched all Replicated titles upon return, on the 2 different set top DVD players and w/o error.
We have however, been receiving error call-backs on ~ 1 out of 20 DVDs, where people have been reporting video freezes, jittery video in places, etc. I’m new to the authoring world, but believe I was in full technical compliance within DVD SP when building the projects (used APTS tutorial as guide).
Again, the glass mastering company said there were no Eclipse report errors, and the Replication house said the DVDs passed their QT tests as well (Detarius Machine?).
I really need to pinpoint what is causing such a high failure rate in the replicated disks. Is this on my end or the replication process? Did I miss some tech specs in SP that may not pose an issue on some players, but do on others? Shouldn't the QC systems used in the mastering / replication process detect issues with the disks? Any suggestions / guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

Just a 'Toast-it note' guys,
Toast cannot choose your break point except by slim chance, nor properly flag the cell it chooses as the layer break.
A Disc Image does not contain layer break information. There's just information in the Image's UDF/ISO data declaring the full 'extent' of the sectors of data in the Image. Even If you set the layer break point in DVD SP's Format Window when you formatted the Disc Image to hard drive, it will have no effect - Toast, nor any other third party formatting software will have a clue as to your intentions on which cell you'd like designated as the layer break (only the control data in a DDP file set and the control data on a replicated DVD contains layer break info from the DVD project - Control data is not allowed to be written to a DVD Recordable, that area is glossed-over during manufacturing).
Toast only scans the cell address table for the appropriate VOB and chooses a cell closest to the middle of the valid layer break range to split the data stream in two (and uses other algorithms under certain circumstances). But it doesn't flag the cell it chooses as non seamless, or set other layer break cell parameters properly.
Submitting DL Images written by Toast, you will get nailed most of the time by the replicator's Eclipse software for a seamless cell at the layer break - if you're lucky; as more than a few replicators will let that 'warning' message sail right by, and they'll replicate anyway; or they're running a version of Eclipse prior to 4.0, which many are, that doesn't even check for the layer break cell's existence. You could be even luckier, and have a cell command (Marker end jump setting) for the cell prior to the layer break cell Toast chose for the Layer break - that will cause DVD SP to set the following cell as non-seamless. Skinny chance.
If you're unlucky, Toast will choose a proper non seamless LB location in the DVD SP generated files that should never be the layer break location for an abstraction-layer based authoring system generated Image.
Hint: if third party disc formatting software doesn't present you a somewhat cool screen at double-layer writing time, showing you all the available LB cells to choose choose from, complete with the ability to click and preview all of the possible layer break cell canditate's start video, so you can be sure - and properly flag your chosen layer break cell; then it shouldn't be used to write playable DVD+R DL discs. Now, Toast is great for writing DVD+R DL pure data discs, as the requirements for switching layers during the read of ROM data is much less stringent (best to break between files, though).
While there might not seem to be a clear-cut right way to pre-mastering for DVD-Video, for sure, none of the few best/professional workflows allow Toast in the process.
Take care,
Trai
TFDVD Research Labs

Released Contracts workflow

Hi team,
I have a requirement in SRM 7.02. We are creating contracts and replicating to ECC system via idocs only.
In SRM we are using only Strategic sourcing and contracts only.
I just wanted to know , suppose contract is created in SRM system and for triggering Aprroval WF what are the conditions I can consider?
( customer interested on n level approval. )
Generally for SC, we will check value of SH and account assignement like that for Contracts what would be the conditions for triggering WF??
and one more question is when contract will come into "Released status" means Released contract will trigger approval WF in SRM or approved contract will come into "Released" status and replicate to MM system - Please confirm me.
Thanks,

Hi,
You can trigger contract workflow based on value and in a lot of cases its based on the document type. For example:
Start conditions:
&Purchase Contract.Transaction Type& ZSCH and
&Purchase Contract.Transaction Type& CCTR
While in the SRM application if you go to transaction SWB_COND, you then search for Business Object (in your case contract) and here you can see/maintain the start conditions for each workflow.
In relation to the released status, if the contract goes for approval only after it is completely approved then it will go into Released status.
I hope this helps,
Lisa

Custom workflow activities

I need to write a custom workflow to get more opportunities in the list of opportunities and then generate invoice with details.. do you have an idea??
thanks.

After having registered the custom workflow activity, you should have to restart Asynchronous process service and IIS...
My blog : http://mscrmtools.blogspot.com
All my tools for Dynamics CRM 4.0 on my dedicated site:
MSCRMTools Repository
Upgraded tools for Dynamics CRM 2011!
View Layout Replicator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
Searchable Property Updater for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

Custom infopath task doesn't update in visual studion sequential workflow

Hi all,
I have a probleme with an InfoPath task form
I've been looking for a solution to my problem for few days now with now success.
I developped a visual studio sequential workflow, i than designed an infopath Edit Task Form
my form have following fields :
Title : tbTitle
Status : tbStatus
Assigned To : tbAssignedTo
Start Date : pStartDate
Due Date : pDueDate
Button to submit data to host
Button to cancel
I also have these data connctions
Data connection to send Data to host
Data Connection to retreive data using xml schema
My workflow looks like this :
onWorkflowActivated -> replicator
in my replicator i have an activity that do the follwing :
createTask -> onTaskCreated -> While not completed -> onTaskChanged -> completeTask
My workflow just work fine.
i added the new custom info path form to my workflow and work fine too, the only probleme i have is that my task don't load modified data after the task is comleted, in other words : i use the form to complete task -> task is recognaised as complete and
workflow too but when i re-open the task it shows in progress.
The form don't show modified data.
I really need your help, i spent a lot of time googling and testing sevral solutions but no success, my form dosn't seem to store data in tasklist.
Thanky in advance.
some sample of my code are here :
private void readTask_MethodInvoking(object sender, EventArgs e)
readTask.TaskId = Guid.NewGuid();
this.readTask_TaskProps.TaskType = 1;
readTask_TaskProps.Title = TaskTitle;
readTask_TaskProps.StartDate = DateTime.Now;
readTask_TaskProps.DueDate = DateTime.Now.AddDays(7);
readTask_TaskProps.ExtendedProperties["title"] = TaskTitle;
readTask_TaskProps.ExtendedProperties["status"] = CurrentTaskStatus;
readTask_TaskProps.ExtendedProperties["assignedTo"] = TaskAssignedTo;
readTask_TaskProps.ExtendedProperties["startDate"] = String.Format("{0:d}", readTask_TaskProps.StartDate);
readTask_TaskProps.ExtendedProperties["dueDate"] = String.Format("{0:d}", readTask_TaskProps.DueDate);
readTask_TaskProps.AssignedTo = TaskAssignedTo;
readTask_TaskProps.SendEmailNotification = false;
isTaskFinished = false;
private void onReadTaskChanged_Invoked(object sender, ExternalDataEventArgs e)
isTaskFinished = onReadTaskChanged_AfterProps.ExtendedProperties["tbStatus"].Equals("Completed");

Hi Brahim,
For this issue, please try to refer to the following link about developing workflow with custom task form, test it with the steps provided, it will shows how to generate the custom task form:
Visual Studio workflow with custom task form:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64800be70100x8hn.html
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64800be70100xkov.html
Thanks,
Qiao Wei
TechNet Community Support

Nikon NEF workflow ?

Hi all,
Just a casual user here with a couple of questions RE: Nikon NEF (from my D3100) and how best to use it in LR.
I understand that the Develop module uses different ways of rendering previews than other modules.
Note: this is as per
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/358017?tstart=30
although the TECHNOTES link doesn't go anywhere..
My problem is that I can't get the look in Develop to export properly! I tweaked the NEF directly and
tried to EXPORT the pic in DEVELOP as a simple jpg, but the jagged
problem I see in all modules except DEVELOP is still there, I tried importing the jpg back in but it still looks terrible
in Library (it's a long exposure of a lake at night, the shades of blue that look great in DEV look terrible in anything else).
When I export, shouldn't it also include the settings + look that I see in DEV so that the resulting export looks exactly the same
I tried making the NEF a DNG first, but even after replicating the tweaks I had done to the NEF, I couldn't get it
to look quite the same (sounds obvious to me since LR treats it as two completely different original files).
Does anyone have a solid workflow for NEF's ? Should I just make them DNG's from the beginning, then import into
LR and go from there ?
Cheers for any help..
Benny.

Benny,
Your problem isn't one of DNG versus NEF. They are treated identically by Lightroom.
Yes, exporting to jpeg from a modified nef file should produce an image that looks pretty darn similar to what you see in the Develop module. Unless, of course, you have specified parameters in the Export dialogue that mess up the exported image. Also, you may see differences if you look at the exported image with an non-colour-managed viewer of some sort.
So, what parameters are you specifying when you do your export? List them all, off of the Export dialogue, or better yet, take a screen shot of the dialogue and post that here.
Hal

Completion workflow in extended classic scenario

Hi gurus,
We use extended classic scenario with SRM Server 5.5.
In ppoma, each purch org and purch groups has the local and the backend. Vendors are replicated to backend purch org and then also to the local purch org.
I have seen that in classic scenario purchasers should be assigned to the local purch org. however, completion workflow only determine the agent (purchaser) if it is in the backend purch org.
The problem is that then this purchasers cannot manage any business partner.
How can I solve it?
I have seen other clients that the completion workflow determine the agents in the local purch org...
Many thanks!!!
Regards
Patrícia

Hi,
In the Extended classic scenario, local purchasing organisation and purchasing groups are required to create shopping carts and purchase orders. in this scenario, when
the vendors are replicated from the SAP back-end using BBPGETVD,BBPUPDVD program or vendor-synchronization programs, the vendor update in SRM is only for the R/3 purchasing organizations. because the local purchasing organisations are required in SRM for the Extended Classic or standalone scenario, these replicated vendors needs to be extended to the local purchasing organisations.
organizations can use Tx. BBP_UPDATE_PORG for extending the vendors to the local purchasing organiztion.
see OSS Note 390546 for more info.
Regards
vasanth

Workflow created from an ASN

Hi everybody.
Antecedents:
We are working in SRM without SUS and with extended classic scenario
Someone talked to me about next process, and I do not if it is available as standard SRM process or not.
Process flow:
Vendor send us an ASN (xml file), XI creates a shipping notification in SRM server, and could be possible to send a workflow to someone in order to accept or reject the shipping notification. Moreover if you accept it, the system create a confirm goods from shipping notification automatically.
Is it available this process in SRM without SUS? And with SUS?
Are there some blogs about this process?
In SPROXY transaction there are several message interface: DespatchedDeliveryNotification_In, ServiceAcknowledgementRequest_InCould you indicate me the message type?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Raul,
SUS is not mandatory to create inbound XML documents.
Before SUS, we used Business Connector to create inboud XML GR or IV, via functions BBP_BC_*.
Standard inbound ASN in SRM will not create a GR (a confirmation) but just update the PO with ASN data (see function BBP_BC_SHIPMNTNOTIFICATION_ADD). This should correspond to the message DespatchedDeliveryNotification.
Standard inbound GR in SRM will create a confirmation (see function BBP_BC_CONF_CREATE ). I don't know which message is used in XI (ShippingConfirmation ?).
In SUS, the vendor creates a confirmation.
This will create an SRM confirmation, sent to requestor approval.
So this is your entry point in the system.
The problem is that there are some limitations when implementing SRM with extended classic scenario with SUS as described in the note: 543544.
EBP Extended Classic Scenario not released for SUS: Scenario works for purchase order, purchase order response and change order with free text items but not for confirmation and invoice. If extended classic scenario is activated in EBP and you send a purchase order from EBP to SUS you can not send the confirmation and invoice with reference to this purchase order back to EBP. For purchase orders with items from product master this scenario is not yet supported at all.
Ok this is valid for SUS/SRM scenario, but for you that means that inbound confirmation can only create local GR, not replicated to R/3.
So you will have to complete this process by yourself.
I did it years ago on an EBP3.5, using a ZBBP_BC_CONF_CREATE to make a backend PO assignment instead of a local one (like the online transaction).
Another solution is to use SRM CHANGE or SAVE BADI to trigger the confirmation replication to R/3.
Rgds
Christophe
PS: please reward points for helpfull answers

My Personal Workflow for DVD Authoring in Encore

This is being posted, due to requests for workflow recs. from a few other threads. It is separate from those threads, but I will try to link to his post in those.
The DVD Specs. are quite strict on what is allowed, and in what exact form, in a DVD to be compliant with the standards set forth. However, there are some differences, other than image sizes, between NTSC and PAL. Depending on where you are, and where your DVD will be played, these can, and will, be different. Rather than type out a list of the specifications, Ill point you to: http://www.dvd-replica.com/DVD/dvdprimer-1.php for some reading and references.
That said, Adobe Encore can handle, on Import, more formats and sizes, than are allowed, by the DVD specs. In most cases, it will fit the Assets to DVD, but not in all cases. Also, some Assets are more likely to work, without problems, than are others. Rather than list all of the file formats, etc., that Encore can work with, Im only going to list a potential workflow, that has been known to work, with the least effort, for me. My suggestion is that if you have Assets that are different, you look into getting them into perfect compliance, BEFORE you bring them into Encore. This allows Encore to do, what it does best, create DVD Spec. DVDs for play on a television set through a set-top player, or on a computer through a DVD software player. This article will not address a lot of other possible inclusions, such as ROM content, interactive DVD, multiple Audio Tracks, Closed Captioning, or Subtitles. It also assumes that one is burning to a DVD and not to Blu-ray Disc, or another medium.
Most of the thoughts here come from a few sources, the prime one being Jeff Bellunes book, The Focal Easy Guide to Adobe Encore DVD 2.0, by Focal Press, ISBN 0-240-52004-1. Other sources are Adobe Press Classroom in a Book for Encore, and various articles and discussions from the Adobe User-to-User Forums, for Encore and Premiere Pro.*
There are many possible ways to acquire Assets (the actual Audio and Video files that you will use), and I will not cover all of these, nor will I go into great detail on preparing your Assets for Encore, other than to say that its best to Export from your Non-Linear Editor (NLE), or convert with third-party programs, your Assets so that they are most likely to work in Encore. Your choice of NLE, or conversion program is totally up to you. There are freeware, shareware and commercial ware programs for all of this. Reading the various Adobe forums and other video production forums, plus a healthy dose of Google, should yield a whole toolbox of utilities. No one utility, from $50,000 authoring programs to freeware file converters can do it all. Like a good mechanic, you need the best tools for the exact job. Also, there are other DVD authoring programs, and some are less strict, than is Encore, about what they will and will not accept. Your final DVD may play perfectly, or it may not. Encore tries to assure that you will get perfect playback on as many different machines, as is possible.
Ill step you through my personal workflow, but you have to understand that this is not the ONLY way to do it. You also must realize that your exact needs might dictate that you do it otherwise. All Im giving you, is what has worked for me in hundreds of successful DVD Projects. It is based on trial-and-error, a lot of help from the regulars in the Adobe forums, Jeff Bellunes book and other resources. How you adapt this to your personal workflow, or your particular Project is up to you.
[Go to Page 2 for the rest]

[Page 2]
To start, plan your Project from beginning to the finished product in this case, a DVD that can play on a TV, or on a computer, that is compliant with the DVD specs. I usually have edited all of my Video and Audio Assets, using Adobe Premiere Pro (PP), and Adobe Audition (AA). Any still Assets have usually come from Adobe Photoshop (PS), whether they are Menus, or Graphics of some sort. This allows me great flexibility in the creation and Export of my Assets. In a parallel universe, one might have a client, who hands them Assets, that have to be manipulated. One then has to find the right tools to get the Assets into a format that will work.
I plan each Project, and usually draw out a flowchart (not unlike the Flowchart Panel in Encore) in Adobe Illustrator (AI). This gives me the layout and navigation of the DVD, and lists all of my Assets, showing all of the links from Menus to Assets, often by way of Playlists, or Chapter Playlists. From this flowchart, I then create a list of all of my Assets, noting what form they are in, and also which ones will, or might, need some additional work.
Next, I gather these Assets from their location on my systems hard drive (HDD). There, I have built a folder hierarchy that differentiates the Assets type, Still, Menu, Music, Audio (associated with the Video) and Video. All are below my main Projects folder. As I have created these Assets, I have control over their form and format. All of my Video is an elemental stream (Video only no Audio, not muxed) in the DV-AVI format. All of my Audio is an elemental stream (Audio only no Video, not muxed) in the AC3 (Dolby Digital) format and is usually DD 5.1 Surround Sound. All of my Music (for Menus, etc.) is in AC3 format. All of my Menus are PSDs, and are either built FROM the template Menus in Encore, adapted for my needs, or are constructed in PS using the exact same conventions as the template Menus in Encore.
I have created a template Project in Encore, that has my normal structure in place. It is empty, except for a Bin structure, which lists my Assets: Video, Timelines, Audio, Music, Menus, etc.. This template has been saved from Encore (remember, its otherwise empty), and I Open it in Encore, and immediately Save_As, to my Project folder, with that Projects name. I use Save_As for two reasons, it leaves my template Project untouched and then locates my Project in the proper folder and is still in Encore on my screen. If I were to use Save_As_a_Copy, Id then have to Exit and Open that copy. My way automatically gets me to where I need to be, with my new Project (named appropriately) open in Encore. Im ready to get started.
With my Assets list in hand, I Import these into the pre-made Bins. First, I Import my Videos, as Timelines into my Timelines Bin. This brings in my DV-AVI Video files and creates a Timeline for each. When done, I split out the Video, into the Video Bin leaving the Timelines alone in the Timelines Bin. If I have any Video for my Motion Menus, I Import, as Asset, into the Video Bin, along with the Videos that were used to automatically create my Timelines. Next, I Import, as Asset, my Audio AC3 files into the Audio Bin. Same for Menus, as Menus, into my Menus Bin. Music AC3's are Imported as an Asset into the Music Bin. Should there be any Stills, that are not Menus (highly unlikely), they are Imported into a Stills Bin. Now its time for some drag-n-drop. Each Timeline has its Video on it, and I go to the Audio Bin, and drag the appropriate Audio file to its respective Timeline. Because I edited and Exported these files as elemental streams (non-multiplexed, or muxed), I know that they are EXACTLY the same Duration. Now, I set the appropriate Poster Frame for each Chapter/Timeline. To step back a bit here, I need to point out that I always edit my movies in PP, my NLE of choice, and keep each Chapter on its own Sequence. I Export each Sequence as a separate file (one Audio and one Video). I almost never use Chapter Markers, as each Chapter will be a separate set of Audio and Video files, and will have it own Timeline in Encore. The only times that I use Chapter Markers, is when I need some additional navigation within a Timeline, but that is not often. This is just how I edit. I will not cover other methods, but there are books and articles that discuss other ways. None is right vs wrong. They are just different, and this one is mine.
From my Flowchart Panel, I know if I will have a Video (with Audio) lead-in as my First Play. I also know exactly what my Menu structure will be. Most of my Projects have a Main Menu with sub-Menus for Scene selection, or other features navigation. I also know how many Playlists I will need, and create these. There is usually a Play All Playlist, as my Chapters are all on a separate Timeline. I seldom use a Chapter Playlist (similar name, but different than a Playlist). These are all stored in my Playlist Bin. Now, I can now start Linking my Assets.
In PS, I will have named my Buttons to correspond to the names of my Chapters (remember mine will be each on a separate Timeline, which have also been named appropriately). I leave the Button numbering, which is different than a Buttons name, in the same hierarchal order, #1 is the lowest on the Button Layer Set palette, with higher numbers in ascending order. Because my Buttons are already named, Ill take each Menu into the Menu Monitor and do a Ctrl-a (Select all) and makes sure that Sync Button Name is unchecked in the Menu Properties Panel. I do this for all of my Menu Buttons - heck, I have already spent the time in PS to create the proper Text Layer, and have changed the Buttons names to what I want them to be, why mess that up now.
With the Buttons, in all of my Menus and sub-Menus named appropriately, I can look in the Flowchart Panel and know exactly where I need to Link. One could almost do this blindfolded. Its here that I make sure that the End Actions get me exactly where I wish to go. Also, by using Playlists for things like Play All, I can set the End Action there.
Last, I address my Menus, regarding Motion. About half of my Menus have some form of animated Background. These are always non-muxed DV-AVIs (stored in the Video Bin). Almost all of my Menus will have Audio, in the form of an AC3 (stored in the Audio Bin).
Everything has been Linked, all End Actions have been set, nothing is left in the Orphanage, and it is time to Check Project. Oh, if I do have animations on my Menus, Ill Render Motion Menus and Preview them. I always leave all functions checked in Check Project and run it. I note any warnings, or errors, and go about fixing these. Ninety percent of the time, I only get the occasional warning, and it will be about End Actions. As these are only warnings, I note them to make sure that, in Preview, things function as I wish. There are almost never any errors, but if there are, I begin fixing them. Note: the Check Project function really only checks the navigation, as per the DVD specs. It does not check that your Assets are compliant. Since mine are, before they are Imported, this is never a problem.
Now, I Preview, and Preview, and Preview. Normally, I am able to leave Button Routing to Automatically Route Buttons, so I seldom have to worry about that. Also, since I either built my Menus FROM the Encore Menu Templates, or created them PER the Encore Menu Templates, I seldom have any Button overlaps.
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