Most commonly, composite and group pages are created for a subject’s Home Folder. This is usually the subject’s class or team.
Often, subjects will be included in additional composite or group pages. Subtypes allow these additional composite or group pages to be treated as different Products, separate from the subject’s ‘normal’ class group or composite.
As an example, a year-level composite page could be assigned a Subtype of 'YEAR', while a whole-school composite could be assigned a subtype of 'SCHOOL'. The user can then offer these two subtypes, along with the subject's normal “class” composite, as three distinct products, perhaps at different prices.
In a similar way to subtypes, composites, and group pages can be assigned a version, therefore also allowing them to be independently ordered and handled. As its name implies, Versions allow for different versions of the same composite or group to be offered, perhaps with a different design or at a different size. Versions always use the same set of subjects. They can be used in conjunction with or independently of subtypes.
Key points
Composite and group pages can be assigned a subtype and a version
The two can be used independently or in combination with each other
Subtypes are generally used when different subjects are included in the product
Versions are generally used when different templates are needed for the product
Subtypes and versions allow 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.
TIP
It is useful to think of subtypes as pages that have a different combination of subjects in them. For example, a homeroom 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 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 on 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 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 ...
In 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 ...
Further Reading: Ordering with Subtypes and Versions
For a detailed discussion of subtypes and versions, including ordering methods, consult the documents below.
FAQ
Do I need to give the home folder group a subtype?
No, you don’t; however, if in your job you have other groups for which you have assigned a subtype, e.g., MISC, then it is a good idea to also give your ‘home’ groups a subtype, e.g., HOME. This helps avoid confusion and is especially useful for Identify Orders.
Can subtypes and versions be used together?
Yes, subtypes and versions can be used independently or in combination with each other.
What is the purpose of subtypes?
Subtypes allow a composite or group page to be handled as a separate product from the class group or composite.
How do versions differ from subtypes?
Versions allow for different designs or sizes of the same composite or group, while subtypes normally have a different set of subjects.
How do subtypes display online?
Subtypes are just another product that can be added to a Package. For example, you may have a package that is the subject’s class composite. Another package may be the subject’s year level composite. That year level composite is a subtype.
How do versions display online?
Versions display as options for the main composite or group product. For example, you can select a group page, then with it selected, choose from different designs for that group. Those different designs are the versions.
Can I create multiple versions of a composite page?
Yes, you can create multiple versions of a composite page without starting a new composite.
What is an example of a composite subtype?
An example of a subtype could be 'YEAR' for a year-level composite page.
What is an example of a group subtype?
‘MISC’ could be a subtype for all groups that are not the class group photo, i.e., all the miscellaneous groups