Channel

Channels are virtual dividers that separate, filter, and isolate content. Channels are like global filters that affect what content users see when working. If the Channel's configuration permits a given piece of content, it can be shown; otherwise, the content is neither findable nor visible in the Content Browser, regardless of the connected user's permissions. Permissions determine which Channels are available to each user. It is possible (and not uncommon) that only a single Channel is accessible to any given user role. Channels are selected using the large drop-down menu just to the right of the Picturepark logo in the Content Browser.

Each Channel has its own Filter configuration. All search, sort, and filter configurations are kept when switching the Channel, even when closing the browser. That information is only kept in your browser session and will be removed with a cache cleanup or when using a different browser.

Create a Channel

Go to Main Menu > Settings. The Settings section appears.
Select Channels.
Select +
Enter the channel's name and add any translations in the Name field. The ID is pre-filled from the input in the name field.
💡 The channel ID is the link: customer.picturepark.com/contents/gdpr

Now you can create the channel already. It is added to the first position in the list.

All other settings are pre-filled with defaults which you can change:

You can update the sort order used in the channel dropdown in the Content Browser.
You can update the sort fields, which are the sorting options you allow the user to see in the channel's Content Browser.
You can select the default sort for all content items in the channel.

Double-clicking on the channel will open the channel details in the 2-column layout. You can now add filters (faceted navigation) and permissions (roles that have access) on the right side:

Add any Content Browser filters you would like for this channel by selecting Add in the Content browser filters tab.

Add a filter to show only Content Items with the Product Information Layer assigned and the media type Technical Product Sheet or Product Shot.

CODE

{
	"kind": "AndFilter",
	"filters": [
		{
			"kind": "TermFilter",
			"field": "layerSchemaIds",
			"term": "Vertical"
		},
		{
			"kind": "OrFilter",
			"filters": [
				{
					"kind": "TermFilter",
					"field": "basicInformation.mediaType._refId",
					"term": "648b76b163654189be7b6638b31fb243"
				},
				{
					"kind": "TermFilter",
					"field": "basicInformation.mediaType._refId",
					"term": "d019419aae9a4eaeb715d35efa0e61d7"
				}
			]
		}
	]
}

Add the user roles that should have access to the channel in the permissions tab or select View for all if every user needs access.

Problem: The new channel is not visible in the channel dropdown. It usually lacks permissions (your user is in a user role and cannot see the channel).

Open the Channel.
Edit Settings.
Select View for All.
Validate if you can see it, and then adapt the User Roles.

Problem: The new channel is empty - probably due to a wrong channel filter.

Open the Channel.
Edit Channel Filter.
Remove your Query Filter.
Validate if you can see content in your channel's Content Browser.
Adapt the Query Filter.

Custom Channel Sort Fields

For custom sort fields, follow the steps:

Validate that the field on the layer is sortable.
1. Open Layer, edit field, and turn on the Sortable toggle. After changing this setting, you need to re-render.
  Convert a metadata field into a field you can use for sorting in a channel.
Add field as a Sort field (down below).
1. Open the sort fields panel in the channel settings.
Add field as sort in the channel settings.
Add a sortable field as sort field to a channel.

Open a Channel

Open a Channel by Channel ID

You can open the channel from within the Content Browser or via URL if you know the ID. However, you may lose access when channel permissions change.

CODE

https://customer.picturepark.com/contents/product

This way you can skip the dashboard and directly jump to your content.

Problem: The new channel is not visible in the channel dropdown list - usually due to missing permissions (your user is in a user role that cannot see the channel)

Open the Channel.
Edit Settings.
Select View for All.
Validate if you can see it, and then adapt the User Roles.

Problem: The new channel is not accessible from the bookmark. The channel was probably removed.

Open Settings.
Check if the channel is there or contact your Picturepark Admin.

Update a Channel

Open Settings from the sidebar. The Settings section appears.
Select Channels.
Double-click on the channel you wish to edit (or choose settings).
Edit in UI or JSON.

Copy a Channel

Open Settings from the sidebar. The Settings section appears.
Select Channels.
Double-click on the channel you wish to edit (or choose settings).
Open Edit JSON.
Copy the whole JSON.
Go back to Channels.
Add a new channel.
Provide a name and save.
Double-click to open and Edit JSON.
Paste the copied JSON.
1. Update the new channel ID
Save the JSON

IDs must be unique, so you have to keep the ID. Saving will fail when you use a channel ID that is already present in this Picturepark.

Delete a Channel

Open Settings from the sidebar. The Settings section appears.
Select Channels.
1. Double-click to open.
2. Open the context menu.
Select the Remove icon.
Confirm deletion.

There is no undo in Picturepark. Deleted Channels are gone.

Bookmarks to the channel break and users lose access.

Use Cases for Channels

Channel Use Cases

Separating content by type, status, department owner, or usage.
Restricting the content shown to specific users, such as partners or customers. This is the base where you will find all Content Items.
New user roles are automatically added to the Root Channel and removed if the user role is deleted.
Every item created/uploaded will be seen in the Root Channel (if view permission is given). By default, the Root Channel does not have a query filter, although one can be set.
You can't delete the root channel as Picturepark depends on it for uploads and collections.