Subtypes and versions

Applies to: NeoComposite, NeoGroup, CompositeBuilder and GroupBuilder Version 4.6 and above

The concept of subtypes was introduced into NeoComposite and NeoGroup with Version 4.4. With subtypes it became possible to consider different composite or group pages as different products. For example, a year level composite page could be given a subtype of 'year' and a whole school composite given a subtype 'whole'. The photographer was then able to offer these two subtypes together with the subject's default or normal composite as three different products, perhaps with different prices. (See Composite subtypes)

Version 4.6 introduced the concept of 'versions' for composite and group pages. In a similar way to subtypes, composites and group pages could be assigned a 'version' allowing them to be independantly ordered and handled. Versions can be used in conjunction with or independantly of subtypes.

Key points

  • Composite and group pages can be assigned a subtype and a version
  • The two can be used indepentantly or in combination with each other
  • Subtypes are generally used when different subjects are included in the product
  • Versions are generally used when diiferent templates are needed for the product
  • Subtypes and versions allows a photographer to offer multiple composite and group products

The difference between subtypes and versions

As the name implies, subtypes are a classification or branch of a product type. For example the product type may be a composite while the subtype may be 'yearlevel' or 'wholeschool'. Having created the composites, different versions of the page may be needed. For example the year level composite may require an 8"x10" version for sale to the customer, a smaller 5"x7" version with a completely different design for use in the yearbook and a larger 16"x20" version again with a different design to be displayed on the school wall.

It is useful to think of subtypes as pages that have a different combination of subjects in them. For example a home folder composite, a year level composite and a whole school composite will include different subjects on their pages. Each of these pages could then have different versions - perhaps three different sizes or maybe four totally different designs for the home folder composite to give a customer a choice when ordering

Why not just use subtypes for everything?

Continuing with the example above, although it is certainly possible to achieve the same end result by using just subtypes, it is far more efficient to use versions in conjunction with the subtypes.

Consider the year level and whole school composites. The operator may have spent a good amount of time with the 'Subjects to include' window, meticulously selecting who is to appear in the composite (perhaps also assigning labels to teachers) before forming the first page with the first set of templates. Now the second and third pages need to be created. If using just subtypes the operator would need to start a new composite, once again meticulously select who to include the form the page with the desired templates before repeating the process for each version needed.

By using versions the operator avoids having to start the composite again. Once the first composite page has been formed, different versions of the composite page can be created without having to start a new composite page, return to the Subjects to include window and reselect the subjects.

Setting the subtype and version

The concepts above are reflected by the location of where subtypes and versions are set

In NeoComposite and CompositeBuilder

  • Subtypes are set in the Subject to include window of Form Pages Mode
  • Versions are set in Form Pages Mode with Edit>New version ...

NeoGroup and GroupBuilder

  • Subtypes are either set in Names Mode>Set page details or in the Group Page window of Form Pages Mode when selecting the default group
  • Versions are set in the Group Page window of Form Pages Mode with Edit>Set new version ...

Ordering with subtypes and versions

For a detailed discussion of subtypes and versions including ordering methods consult the documents below.

Composite subtypes
Group page versions

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