Item Templates
Overview
Item Templates are the tools you'll use to list the attributes for a specific type of item. These templates will be available to use on both the Item Detail View and when using the DesignSmart Companion.
While a few design firms will use Specification Templates, all firms will use the Item Templates.
As mentioned previously, whether you have 1 designer or 100 designers, templates help ensure that all designers are thinking about the same attributes when they are specifying so it helps encourage standards.
DesignSmart will come with a dozen or so Item Templates. You can decide which of these you'll use, which you'll delete, and which you'll add.
Viewing the List of Item Templates
When you click Templates on the menu bar you will be taken to the Item Templates layout as shown below. If you don't see this screen, then be sure to click on Show: Item Templates.
The list of templates you see will probably be different since each DesignSmart client can customize this list.
Viewing the Details of an Item Templates
To view the details of an item template, click the word Details next to the template you wish to view.
Using Item Templates
Below is a screenshot of the Item Template for Fabric.
Your firm can set up your own templates and attributes. The attributes shown below are representative only. Your attributes for fabric will probably be different.
Using Item Templates
Item Templates are used in two locations:
-
Item Detail View
- DesignSmart Companion
Item Detail View
Below is a screenshot of the Item Detail View for item 1.01 for the 124 Rockwood Lane project.
The designer has selected Fabric as the Item Template.
Therefore, the attributes from the Fabric Item Template appear.
DesignSmart Companion
Below is a screenshot of a vendor's website with the DesignSmart Companion appearing on the right side of the web page.
The designer has selected the template Fabric for this item (shown in the red box) so the attributes from the Fabric Item Template appear (shown in the gold box).
Key Information About Item Templates
It is important to understand the purpose of Item Templates:
- Not all of the attributes need to be filled in. The designer only needs to fill in those attributes they need to know, the client needs to know, or the vendors need to know.
- Item templates help remind designers of the key information, i.e. attributes, they need to consider when specifying the item.
- Item templates help promote consistency among all designers.
- If the designer does not fill in any details for an attribute on the Item Detail View, then the attribute name will not appear on any document such as a proposal, invoice, or specification.