Create and view projects and streams

This topic explains how to create and view Dimensions CM projects and streams in the Visual Studio IDE. For easy access, add frequently used projects/streams to favorites.

Create projects

You can create Dimensions CM projects in the Visual Studio IDE.

To create a project:

  1. In Visual Studio, select View > Dimensions Explorer.

  2. In Dimensions Explorer, expand the connection node where you want to create a project, and do one of the following:

    • Select New > Project.
    • Click Streams and Projects. In the Dimensions Project view, right-click the project on which you want to base the new project. Select New > Project.
    • Click Changesets. In the Changesets view, right-click the changeset on which you want to base the new project and select New Project.

  3. In the New Project wizard, specify the following options, and click Next:

    • Select the product in which to create the new project.
    • Enter a name for the project.
    • Select a project type.
    • Provide a description of your project.
    • If you use the project to store a named branch and want all field revisions to include the branch name, enter the branch name in the Unique Branch Name field.

    • Add the new project to your favorites. Favorites are shared across all clients.

  4. On the Based-On page, specify the source on which to base the project, and click Next:

    Field Details
    Nothing Select this option to create an empty project.
    Based on a baseline Select this option to populate the project with the item revisions from a baseline. Then select a baseline from the list.

    Based on another project

    Select this option to populate the project with the item revisions from an existing project. Specify a project's ID or search for a project.

    To find a project:

    1. Click Select and select Another project.

    2. Specify the ID of a project or select a project from the list.

      Enter a text string to display only those project names that contain the characters in your string.

      Favorite and recently used projects are displayed at the top of the list.

    3. (Optional) Select a specific project version on which to base the new project. By default, the new project is based on the latest version.
    4. Click OK.

    Note: The new project inherits all the revisions from the parent project.
    Based on another stream

    Select this option to populate the project with the item revisions from an existing stream.

    Select a stream in the same way as a project.
    Copy build configuration (if available) Select this option to copy the build configuration from the parent project to the new project.

  5. On the Project Options page, set version management options:

    Field Description
    Branch

    Select this option to increment version numbers by adding a period before the new number.

    For example, if an item's revision number is 2, the item's first new revision in this project is 2.1, and the next one is 2.2.

    But for new items, the first revision number is 1, and the next one is 2.

    Do not branch

    Select this option to increment version numbers by adding 1 to the previous revision number.

    For example, if an item's revision number is 2, the item's first new revision in this project is 3, and the next one is 4. If an item's revision number is 2.1, the first new revision is 2.2.

    Note: We recommend that you use this option and assign a single branch.
    Allow user to override default revision number Select this option to allow users to change the automatically generated revision number when they create new item revisions.

  6. Define the options for Change Management (CM) rules, and click Next:

    Field Description
    Use item type settings Select this option to make items follow the CM rules, as defined for their item type in the Administration Console.
    Always enabled Select this option to make items behave as if the CM rules defined for their item types are enabled, regardless of whether they are enabled in the Administration Console.
    Always disabled Select this option to make items behave as if the CM rules defined for their item types are disabled.
    Request required to refactor

    Select this option to require users to specify a request ID when they make refactoring changes, such as moving or renaming items or project folders.

    Note: You cannot relate refactoring changes as In Response To a request if the request is above the initial stage in the Global Stage Lifecycle (GSL).

  7. On the Named Branches page, select the default branch and the branches available for new item revisions, and click Next:

    Field Description
    Valid branches Select branches to which future revisions in this project may be assigned.
    Default branch Select the default branch to use when automatically generating the revision number for item revisions in this project.
  8. On the Summary page, review the summary of the options, and click Finish.

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Create streams

You can create Dimensions CM streams in the Visual Studio IDE.

To create a stream:

  1. In Visual Studio, select View > Dimensions Explorer.

  2. In Dimensions Explorer, expand the connection node where you want to create a stream, and do one of the following:

    • Select New > Stream.
    • Click Streams and Projects. In the Dimensions Project view, right-click the project on which you want to base the new project. Select New > Stream.
    • Click Changesets. In the Changesets view, right-click the changeset on which you want to base the new project, and select New Stream.

  3. In the New Stream wizard, specify the following information, and click Next:

    Field Description

    Create new stream in product

    Select the product in which to create the stream.

    By default, your current product is selected.
    Stream name Enter a name for the stream.
    Description Provide a description of your stream.
    Unique branch name If you use the stream to store a named branch, and want all field revisions to include the branch name, enter the branch name.
    Create a topic stream

    Select to create a topic stream.

    Topic streams are private development branches that are visible only to the originator. For details, see Topic streams and pull requests.
    Add to favorites (Optional) Add the stream to your favorites. Favorites are shared across all clients.

  4. Specify the source on which to base the stream:

    Field Description

    Nothing

    		Select this option to create an empty stream.
    Based on baseline Select this option to populate the stream with the item revisions from a baseline. Then select a baseline from the list.
    Based on another stream

    Select this option to populate the stream with the item revisions from an existing stream. Then specify a stream ID or search for a stream.

    To find a stream, click Select, select Another stream, and select a stream from the list. Favorite and recently used streams are displayed at the top.

    Optionally, select a specific stream version on which to base the new stream.

    Note: The new stream inherits all the revisions from the parent stream.

  5. Select Valid request must be specified when delivering changes to require users to provide a request ID when they make any changes to the stream. Click Next.

  6. On the Summary page, review the summary of the options, and click Finish.

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View streams and projects

In the Visual Studio IDE, you can view all the streams and projects in a Dimensions CM repository.

To view streams and projects in a repository:

  1. In Visual Studio, select View > Dimensions Explorer.
  2. In Dimensions Explorer, expand a node that has an open connection to a Dimensions CM repository.

  3. Click Streams and Projects.

    The Dimensions Projects view displays all the streams and projects for that connection.

  4. Right-click a stream or project to view the operations you can perform on it.

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Add projects/streams to favorites

To have fast access to projects and streams that you use regularly, add these projects and streams to favorites.

To add projects and streams to favorites:

  1. In Visual Studio, select View > Dimensions Explorer.
  2. Double-click the Favorite Dimensions Projects link to open a list of all Dimensions CM projects and streams in the product to which you are currently connected.
  3. To add a project or stream to favorites, right-click it and select Add to favorites. Or drag projects or streams onto the Favorites Dimensions Projects node.

To view a list of favorites, expand the Favorite Dimensions Projects link.

From favorites, you can open the project from source control. You can also add Visual Studio projects and files to source control by right-clicking the favorite and choosing to add.

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See also: