Using variants to manage graphics for releases

[Ben Mansheim]

Here is a suggestion that I just submitted in case anyone didn't know this or wants to also send a suggestion:

Summary

When you variant a linked graphics template, the variant that you use at publish determines which location will be used for the linked graphics, but it does not use the fallback path if no file is found in that location.

Steps to Reproduce

Make two variant values, one the parent of the other. Variant a linked graphic template. Create a file object based on the template. Create a directory for each variant and put the graphic for the file object in the directory for the parent variant. Publish with the child variant.

Expected Behavior

I would expect that the publish would use the fallback path and use the graphic that is in the directory for the parent variant value, just like topics use the fallback path.

Actual Behavior

The output has a graphic that says "File not found" because there is not graphic for the file object in the directory for the child variant.

Does this affect a deadline that Support should know about?

No, but this significantly hinders the use of variants for managing releases. I have to have all of the graphics in the directory for each variant value, even if the graphics are all the same. I would rather be able to only keep the updated graphics files in the directory for the child variant so I don't have multiple copies of the same graphic.

#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#
Ben Mansheim
b...@mansheim.com
home 077-440-3105
cell 052-691-6188
US 401-441-5473 (however we are still 7 hours ahead of Eastern time)

[Avi Eliav - TID]

Ben,

I used the same workaround as you - copied the graphics files (that didn't change) from the falback directory into the child variant directory.

Does anybody know if there is a real solution or is this an official AIT bug?

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Avi Eliav

Technical Writing and Information Development

+972-54-566-9319

[Ben Mansheim]

It is officially a bug.

Ben

#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#
Ben Mansheim
b...@mansheim.com
home 077-440-3105
cell 052-691-6188
US 401-441-5473 (however we are still 7 hours ahead of Eastern time)

[Ben Mansheim]

BTW, I haven't gotten to testing this but at least in AIT 6.0 the UI resolves the image based on the variant, so you see the graphic from the version folder of the filtered variant and not the one in the base folder.

I am a happy camper!

Ben

#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#
Ben Mansheim
b...@mansheim.com
home 077-440-3105
cell 052-691-6188
US 401-441-5473 (however we are still 7 hours ahead of Eastern time)