Configurator - Image (and Layers) to Quote

Kinetic ERP
1

I have a general-ish question in regards to Configurator images & layers… I’m just getting into configurator development and trying to learn what’s possible.

QUESTION 1:
Can you change the size of an image when applying layers? For a crude example… I’m creating a an assembly of parts which grows length-wise in my configurator… think a chain or train cars.

The base image is the engine.
image

Via the configurator, they add 1, 2, 3…or more … which would extend the image width, resulting in…up to 15 cars.
image

The real configuration is that they can add various types of train cars, in whatever order they want/need:
image

I’m allowing for up to 15 different car positions and 6 different car types… So, having a static image for each conceivable combination is unrealistic.

Again, this is just for my general knowledge. I’m assuming adding a layer is simply that. The layer dimension (width, height) would need to be the same size as the base image and its simply placed on top of the base image.

OR… can I alter the “canvas” size as I apply layers and place the layer(s) beside one another?

Assuming final width/height is fixed, and I have (6) different car types, and (15) different locations… I COULD have a layer image of each car type in each location and then they would stack and display the finished train correctly. So that’s possible I suppose, with (90) different layer images that could be applied.

QUESTION 2:
If I use images (and layers) in my configurator… is it possible to then export and/or pass that final compiled image (including applied layers) to our quote document?

If passing a “configured image” to the quote is NOT able to be done… then question (1) is kinda moot.

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Classic Configurator? I’m not sure about exporting the image to your Quote Document, I’d have to play around with that. If you’re doing this in classic configurator (not designed in Application Studio), you can probably make something work by changing the Height / Width properties of the control depending on how many selections are made. Easiest way (off the top of my head) would be a to write a UD Method (client-side) that looks at the inputs to see how many are needed, and return that as an integer. Then call the UD Method in the OnFieldChanged expression for each related input, and set the width based on the return integer.

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Commenting for two reasons other than :popcorn: …

1 → I like trains.

sheldon GIF

2 → I like the way you explained it.

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Well, as I’m new to configurator anyway, I’m trying to stay with the Kinetic/App Studio version. I’ve seen a lot of posts on frustrations converting between the two, so, seemed kind of silly to learn Classic and have to convert to Kinetic in relative short order anyway.

Good thought though. Again, I haven’t event started playing with the images yet… just trying to get a feel for what is possible and what others have done.

Being able to get the configured image into a quote seems like it would’ve been a “want” a long time ago, so I’m surprised that may not be a feature.

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Just wait for my upcoming “Fun with Flags” post!

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Ah, I don’t have a ton of experience with the Kinetic Configurator UI beyond the basics, so I can’t be much help on that.

I do have many years experience in a shop that used configurator for 95% of all jobs, though, and the back-end hasn’t changed. If you run into any issues outside the Application Studio bit, feel free to ping me!

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You may regret offering that! haha.

No, A Sin Is Not A Mistake. – JLThomson's Blog

I did recently watch a video of you presenting on YouTube. Might have been a CodaBears video? Nice presentation. I need to watch it again once I get more familiar with things.

My downfall is I’m not a coder. So, unless I can find examples to plagiarize and tweak, I run into walls.

I’m consulting with @Jkinneman to get some actual training and not just fumbling around in the dark. I’m pretty sure he told me he would turn me into an expert or my money back… but I may be mis-remembering. He may have said he wanted paid upfront. :rofl:

Luckily he’s been very patient with my lack of C# skills, haha.

Anyway… during our conversations, he wasn’t sure about being able to export/push the images into documents either. That’s why I figured I’d poll the audience.

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Would it be an option to create and save an image and then attach it via docstar …er ECM to the quote?

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Oh man I was so nervous in that presentation! That is one of the biggest problems with configurator - There isn’t nearly as much you can do with widgets like in BPMs and Functions. Luckily with the way it’s set up, you can do about anything you need to if you can get yourself familiar with if... else statements, and you can even keep it relatively simple using UDMethods.

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I was thinking of this problem like more of a logic problem. What’s the minimum number of images I need to create all the variations? Can I use an image more than once? Can I concatenate images somehow?

Can I create a ‘table’ of image controls that I can make appear/hide programmatically, and place the appropriate image in each control to ‘build’ the train? I only need one of each image, if this process is possible.

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Correct. Again, haven’t gotten that far but I was also wondering if I created a base image with a “canvas” that was 15 cars wide (though mostly blank)… can I tell the program WHERE to drop in “car” layer (x / y coordinates). Because, then yes, I would only need 6 images, one for each car and I can drop them where I need them.

Definitely a nice approach if that’s possible. This isn’t even a critical piece of my configurator. Just an “it would be nice” type of thing.

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I first thought about that too, but ended up with the table idea, b/c it would allow the addition of variations with only a single new image or a resize of the table.

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OHHH… I’m with you now. Interesting thought!

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Paramount Network Guitar GIF by Yellowstone

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Right now, no… but I’ll keep you in mind if I need to start throwing ideas into ChatCHIMPANZEE™ and see what comes out! :rofl:

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