Blueprints allow you and your team to structure information the way you want to see it, in the way that makes sense for your objects and your projects, using your own terminology. You’re in control – you have the power – and we know it feels terrific.
Be strategic in setting up your Blueprints, creating a purposeful set that works for your needs. Then, as your needs change, Blueprints can always be updated.
Set Up the Core Blueprint
Your Core Blueprint serves two important functions:
- It is the default Blueprint selection for any object added to your Base.
- It is the foundation upon which all your other Blueprints will be built.
Ask yourself: What information do I want to collect for every object?
These are the fields you’ll add to set up your Core Blueprint. The Core can be as simple or as detailed as you like, with one field or thirty. At minimum, it always includes a title field.
Let's take a closer look at what you can do when setting up a Core Blueprint:
- Add rows with one, two, or three columns, or leave an empty space.
- Click the pencil icon to enter or update information for a field. Click the checkmark when you're finished.
- Add a field label for the object information you want to collect (for example, Artist, Date, Medium, Dimensions, Frame Information, Bibliography, etc.).
- Select a field type from these options: Short Text, Long Text, Select, DataSet, Tags, Number, Date, Section Heading, Spacer, and Empty.
- Decide if you want the information to be required for every object.
- Add a helpful data entry note.
- Rearrange the order of the rows and fields by dragging and dropping.
- Delete a row by clicking the x in the outside left corner.
- Select Spacer as your field type to create an empty space in your form.
- Choose Select as your field type to create a custom list of selectable options.
- Select DataSet as your field type to use a DataSet of selectable options. For more information, see Using DataSets.
- Choose Tags as your field type when you want to add keywords for your objects.
- Select Section Heading as your field type when you want to add a title for a section. These help you group related rows and fields of information (for example, Display Plans, Research, etc.).
- When you choose Long Text as your field type, you can choose to enable Markdown. This will allow you to format the text (for example, to italicize the title of a work of art).
- Always remember to save your Blueprint.
Your Core Blueprint in Action
After you’ve set up your rows and labeled your fields, make sure you like the look of your Core Blueprint. Remember, these labeled fields will appear in all other Blueprints. Save your Core by clicking the “Save” button at lower right.
When you add an object and select Core as the Blueprint, it will display a form with the fields you added. Now you can enter information for your object!
Create Additional Blueprints for Your Objects
Once you’ve set up the Core Blueprint, you can create Blueprints for specific types of objects. Be sure to give each new Blueprint a clear, descriptive name (for example, Photographs, Fossils, Movie Posters, etc.). You can add as many as you like.
Remember, every new Blueprint you create will already contain the fields from your Core Blueprint. You'll be able to drag and drop the order of Core fields, but you will not be able to update or delete them (you can only make changes to these fields in your Core Blueprint).
For each Blueprint, you’ll add rows of fields and provide your own custom labels. Arrange rows and fields by dragging and dropping.
As with the Core, when you add a field, you’ll name it, select the field type, decide whether the information is required, and add data entry notes. You can also add Section Headings to group fields together. For example, in a Paintings Blueprint, you might have a Framing section.
Let's take a closer look at a few fields in a sample Prints Blueprint:
- The Artist field is generated by the Core Blueprint. It has a lock icon in the upper left hand corner. This means you can't make any changes to or delete this field. However, you can still move it.
- Prints-related field added to the Prints Blueprint.
- Prints-related fields added to the Prints Blueprint.
- Prints-related field added to the Prints Blueprint.
- Save your Blueprint.
Deleting Fields from Blueprints
- If you delete a field from your Core Blueprint, the field will be deleted across all your Blueprints.
- If you delete a field from a Blueprint, that field will no longer appear when you view objects using that Blueprint.
- In either case, if information for an object had been entered and saved in the now-deleted field, the information will still appear in the “All Data” section for that object. For more information, see Navigating "All Data".
Updating Your Core Blueprint
PLEASE NOTE: If you update and save your Core Blueprint after creating additional Blueprints, you may need to reorder the rows in the other Blueprints, as Core fields may appear first. Always remember to save any updates.
Blueprints empower you and your team to structure and prioritize data that matters for your objects and your projects. That’s pretty exciting!
Want to discuss Blueprint strategies and goals with us? Get in touch