Definition


In KE-chain, a property defines a characteristic of a part. As with parts, properties can be split into two categories: property models, which are located under part models and property instances, which are used under part instances. For example, a part model "table top" could have a property model called "material". If a specific part instance would be instantiated from that part model, say Glasholm table top, the "material" property also exist under the part instance.

The following applies to properties:

  • A part model can contain an arbitrary number of properties
  • Properties exist in different types
  • Properties defined under a part model will be replicated under every part instance created based on that respective part model.
  • All property models have a default value, which can be left empty or can be filled in. Any filled in default value will be translated to the values of the property instances, but the property instance value can be changed anytime afterwards. If the default value is left empty, then the property instance will be instantiated with an empty value as well.
  • All property models have property validators. These are used to impose certain requirements on the property values to be filled in. Whenever such a property validator is used, the user will be notified that the property value is not respecting some of the requirements defined in the validator. The most common validator is the 'required value' validator, which notifies the user that the property value must be filled in. See below examples of how properties with such validators look inside KE-chain.

  Figure 1 - A property with a numeric field validator


  Figure 2 - A property with a required field validator


All properties have the following settable fields:

  • Display name
  • Description
  • Type
  • Value
  • Required property value validator

The display name, description and type must be specified on the property model and the property instances created based on them will copy the fields. Any subsequent edit of the name or description must occur on the property model. The type cannot be changed after creation.

As mentioned above, the default value can be specified on the property model and the property instances will copy that value on creation. The value of each individual property instance can be changed separately and is not linked to the property model default value after creation.

The integer and decimal properties also have an unit field and a specific numeric field validator, where a minimum and maximum value can be set, as well as a stepsize. They also allow for the values to be displayed using thousand separators, which take into account the language the user is using and display the numbers accordingly (e.g. 123,456.78 for English language and 123.456,78 for Dutch).

The decimal property also has a display field, which can be used to either display the value as it is, restrict to only a certain number of decimal places, or present only a particular number of significant digits.

The single line text and multi line text also have a regex (regular expression) field, which is used to restrict the text inside to a certain pattern. The 2 format options currently are email, which, as the name implies, restricts the text to be in the standard email format, and custom, which the user can edit itself as it pleases. This custom feature is best handled by users with some minimum knowledge in regular expressions.

The link property allows the user to specify whether he wants to have the link open in the current tab or in a new one through a field called link target.

The single select list properties also have a list of items field, used to add the options that the user can select from. These options can also be displayed as either checkboxes, dropdown list or buttons.

The part reference properties need to be connected to a part model through the selected part model field. It also has a single reference validator, which restricts the property value to reference just a single part.

The attachment property allows the specification of a file extension as well as a maximum size for files that are to be uploaded to that property.


Types of properties



The following table shows the property types available. Each property type has a number of configurable options, of which some are optional and some are specific to the type of property.

The overview below shows all property types available in Property, and their specific details, if any.


#Property typeAdditional inputsValid valuesInvalid valuesValidatorsRemarks
1Single line text

Unit

Regex format

Any text < 255 char

(too long) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

  • Bullets

Or

  1. Numbering

Required field validator

Email validator

Custom (regexp) validator


Max. length 255 characters.


2Multi line text

Unit

Regex format

Any long text

When regex format is set to email, any text that has not the format of an email address is invalid:

This note also applies to Single line text


Required field validator

Email validator

Custom (regexp) validator

Unlimited number of characters
3DateAutofill2018-02-05Any text not corresponding to the format.Required field validator

Datepicker interface is available.

Autofill will fill the property value on click with the current date.

4Date / time

Autofill

2018-02-05 15:45


Any text not corresponding to the format.

Required field validator

Datepicker interface is available.

Autofill will fill the property value on click with the current date and time.

5

Integer number

Unit

Display thousand separators

1

13123

-345

1.0

-3.4

Any text


Required field validator

Numeric field validator (based on minimum value, maximum value and step size)

Unit is pure text. Unit conversion is not supported


6Decimal number

Unit

Display:

  • as is
  • decimal places
  • significant digits

Display thousand separators

1.0

234.567

23 (any integer)

-5.40300405

Any text

Required field validator

Numeric field validator (based on minimum value, maximum value and step size)

Unit is pure text. Unit conversion is not supported.


7Attachment field

File extension

Maximum size

Any single filen.a.

Required field validator

File extension validator

Maximum size validator




8Boolean

-

Yes = true

No = false

None selected = No value

n.a.

Required field validator

2 checkboxes: "Yes" and "No"


9Link (http)

Link target:

  • open in new tab
  • open in current tab
http://www.example.com

Any text not corresponding to the format.

Required field validator

Single URL link in one property

10Single selection

List of items

Display:

  • checkboxes
  • drobdown
  • buttons
Item 1; Item 2; Item 3;n.a.

Required field validator

Semicolon used to separate the items
11Multiple selections

List of items

Display:

  • checkboxes
  • drobdown
  • buttons
Item 1; Item 2; Item 3;n.a.Required field validatorSemicolon used to separate the items
12Part references

Part model

After model selection:

  • columns to show;
  • prefilter
Valid KE-chain part modeln.a

Required field validator

Single reference validator

Dropdown list for projects available1

Dropdown list for part models available

Checkboxes for columns (properties) to show

Prefilter view same as in part shop dialog


13Geographical information

Can only be filled in by using the location-picker button. Writing it in will not work.

n.a.

n.a.Required field validatorLocation picker available
14Weather information

Can only be filled in based on your location by pressing the button.

Autofill

n.a.n.a.Required field validator
15Activity references-Any KE-chain activity in that respective projectn.a.

Required field validator

Single reference validator


16User references-Any KE-chain usern.a.

Required field validator

Single reference validator


17Project references-Any KE-chain projectn.a.

Required field validator

Single reference validator


 Each project must be enabled individually in order to use cross-scope references. File a request in the KE-chain support if you want a specific project to have this functionality.