Create and manage object types

In the Administration Console, you can create, copy, and modify object types for the current product. The object types include items, requests, design parts, baselines, and projects.

To work with object types, you need the Manage Object Types privilege.

Add an object type

In the Object Types section of the Administration Console, you can create new object types for your current product.

After you create an object type, assign attributes to it and define its properties.

To add a new object type:

  1. In the Administration Console, go to Configuration Object Management > Object type definitions.

  2. In the Object Types toolbar, click New.

  3. In the New Object Type dialog box, provide the following object type details:

    Field Description
    Name Enter a unique name for the object type. Use up to 10 characters for item types and up to 25 characters for other object types.

    Lifecycle

    (Optional) Select a lifecycle to associate with the object type.

    For design parts, the lifecycle is set to LC_PART and cannot be changed.
    Description Enter a description for the object type, up to 240 characters long.

    What is the closest functional match for this type?

    Items and requests only: Define the purpose for which you intend to use the item or request type.

    Based on your selection, Dimensions CM sets the defaults on the Options tab.

  4. Items, requests, and projects: Select the Options tab and define additional options. For details, see New Object Type dialog box.

  5. To keep the dialog box open after you add the object type, select the Keep Open option.

  6. Click OK.

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Copy an object type

Copy an object type to create a new object type based on the details of the copied type.

To copy an object type:

  1. In the Administration Console, go to Configuration Object Management > Object type definitions.

  2. In the Object Types navigation pane, select the relevant object type.

  3. On the toolbar, click Copy.

  4. In the Copy Object Type dialog box, specify the details for the object type:

    Field Description
    Name Enter a unique name for the object type. Use up to 10 characters for item types and up to 25 characters for other object types.
    Description (Optional) Change the description for the object type, up to 240 characters long.
    What is the closest functional match for this request type?

    Requests only: Define the purpose for which you intend to use the request type.

    Based on your selection, Dimensions CM sets the defaults on the Options tab.

    Extended copy

    Specify the properties and associations to copy from the selected object type to the new type.

    The options depend on the copied object.

    After copying the object type, you can edit these details in the Object Types content area. For details, see Object Types main window.

  5. Items, requests, and projects: Select the Options tab and define additional options. For details, see New Object Type dialog box.

  6. To keep the dialog box open after you copy the object type, select the Keep Open option.

  7. Click OK.

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Edit an object type

You can modify the general details of object types in your current product.

To edit an object type:

  1. In the Administration Console, go to Configuration Object Management > Object type definitions.

  2. In the Object Types navigation pane, select the relevant object type.

  3. On the General tab of the content pane, click the Edit object type button.

  4. In the Edit Object Type dialog box, update the description if needed.

  5. Items, requests, and projects: Select the Options tab and define additional options. For details, see New Object Type dialog box.

  6. Click OK.

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Copy attributes and rules

You can copy the attributes and/or their associated rules from one object type to another.

Guidelines for copying attributes:

  • You can copy only those attributes that are not already defined for the target object type.

  • If the target object type has any attributes rules, they are deleted before the attribute rules of the source object type are copied.

  • Attribute rules are defined in relationship to lifecycle rules and states. Only those rules that involve attributes and lifecycle states relevant to the object type are copied.

To copy attributes and rules:

  1. In the Administration Console, go to Configuration Object Management > Object type definitions.

  2. In the Object Types navigation pane, select the object type to which you want to copy the attributes or rules.

  3. On the toolbar, click Copy Attributes.

  4. In the Copy Type Attributes dialog box, select what you want to copy:

    Field Description
    Type Select the product of the source object type, and the object type from which to copy the attributes/rules.
    Copy Attribute Definitions

    By default, the attribute definitions are selected to be copied.

    Clear this option if you don't want to copy attribute definitions from the source object type.
    Copy Update Rules

    Select this option to copy the attribute update rules.

    By default, they are not copied.

  5. Click OK.

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Delete object types

Delete an object type if you created it in error or you no longer need it.

Guidelines for deleting object types:

  • You cannot delete an object type cannot be deleted if any instances of that type exist within the product. For request types, this applies to requests located in both the main and secondary catalogs.

  • You cannot delete the baseline type BASELINE.

  • An item type or request type cannot be deleted if its Change Management rules are still enabled.

To delete an object type:

  1. In the Administration Console, go to Configuration Object Management > Object type definitions.

  2. In the Object Types navigation pane, select the object type to delete.

  3. On the toolbar, click the Delete.

  4. In the Delete Object Type dialog box, click Yes to confirm.

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See also: