Skip to main content

Custom attribute links are now available in ftrack Studio with UI and editing support. The exciting new feature enables you to link existing objects in ftrack Studio to create even more powerful and practical views. Below, we take a closer look at custom attribute links and show you how to use them.

What are custom attribute links?

Custom attribute linking is an exciting new feature that endows producers, supervisors, and coordinators with endless possibilities when viewing, managing, and reporting on projects.

A typical ftrack Studio site contains multiple object types that could be related to one another. Out of the box, default objects such as shots and tasks are already linked, enabling you to see which tasks are contained within a specific shot. But what if you wanted to link shots to a custom object type that you created?

Previously, such linking was technically possible. However, the only way to achieve this was to use custom attributes that weren’t connected. For example, let’s say we create a text attribute called Camera on the shot object, and we populate it with the names of the cameras used in each shot. Should the camera name change, we’d have to go back and update all attributes that reference the old camera name.

When using custom attribute links, this is no longer an issue. We can create an attribute that links to the camera object directly, so changing its name would update all other attributes automatically. Below, we run through the steps to achieve this. You can also watch the below video for more insight into the process.

How can I set up custom attribute links?

Let’s use a hypothetical example to demonstrate how to set up custom attribute links. (Although the process applies to any custom object types you create). Firstly, let’s imagine we’ve created a custom object type called Camera. In this example, we want to know which camera is used in which shots, so that we can easily look up attributes about that specific camera such as FPS, lens info, etc.

Creating our attribute link field

First, we need to create a custom attribute. Learn how to create custom attributes here. Once we create the custom attribute, there are a few things we need to set:

1. Choose which object to add the attribute to. In this case, we want to add it to the Shot object.

2. For attribute type, select Link.

3. Select which object to link to. In this case, we’re going to select the camera object.

4. The selection dropdown offers Single-Selection or Multi-Selection. As our shots can only be linked to a single camera, we’re going to choose the Single-Selection option.

1
2
3
4

About link types

In our example, we have chosen to use a Single-Selection link type. However, there are two types of links you can choose from. Here’s a little more information if you’re interested:

  • Single-Selection: Mimics a one-to-many relationship. The source object is linked to a single target object, but the target object can be linked to multiple source objects. For example, a camera can be linked to multiple shots. However, a shot is usually only linked to a single camera.
  • Multi-Selection: Mimics a many-to-many relationship. A source object can be linked to multiple target objects, but those target objects can be linked to multiple source objects. For example, a version can be linked to multiple deliveries, but those deliveries can also contain multiple versions.

How to view the new field

Next, hop over to a shot to see the new attribute. Clicking the newly created Camera attribute will allow you to choose which camera to link the shot with. There is now a reference on the shot info tab displaying which camera is in use.

We can also reveal this attribute on the task spreadsheet. Doing so makes it easy to see link attributes across multiple objects. We even have the option to link a shot to our camera from this view, as demonstrated below.

As we are linking two objects, we can also adjust the link from the corresponding object link—i.e., we want to see what shots are being used by each of our cameras. You may have noticed that when we created the custom attribute link attribute on our shot, a corresponding attribute was created on the Camera called Shot (from Camera). The image below shows our linked attribute field, called Camera, and its reverse attribute called Shot (from Camera).

Summary

To conclude, you can use custom attribute links to create powerful relationships between your objects and work more flexibly with ftrack Studio than ever before.

We will publish more in-depth tutorials and walkthroughs on this topic soon, so stay tuned for more useful tips and examples of how to make the most of custom attribute linking.

Try ftrack Studio today

Start a free trial and discover how custom attribute linking can transform your next project.
I'd like to try ftrack

More from the blog

What’s new in cineSync – a deeper iconik integration, laser tool, OTIOZ support, and more

| cineSync, New features, Product, Release | No Comments
cineSync's latest update brings flexibility and precision to your cineSync experience, making it easier to connect your review sessions with media management and storage in iconik, introducing color profiles to…

The Imaginarium Studios: Running a Thriving Motion Capture Studio with ftrack Studio

| Animation, Case Study, News, Q&A, Review, Studio | No Comments
Formed in 2012 by legendary actor and director Andy Serkis and led by CEO Matt Brown, The Imaginarium Studios is a performance-led capture and virtual production studio with facilities located…

ftrack achieves SOC 2 Security compliance for its project management and media review solutions

| Announcements, News, Product, Review, Security, Studio | No Comments
We’re pleased to announce the successful completion of ftrack’s independent SOC 2 audit, reaffirming the commitment, consideration, and care we continue to give to the security of your projects. For…

Chocolate Tribe Invests in South African Talent and Uses ftrack to Collaborate

| Animation, Case Study, News, Q&A, Studio | No Comments
The VFX and animation market in South Africa is about to explode–and Chocolate Tribe has already put the right tools, and team, in place to lead the way. Chocolate Tribe…
ftrack

Protecting Your Creative Vision During Desktop and Web-based Review & Approval

| cineSync, Product, Review, Tips & tricks | No Comments
When it comes to the question of security for media review solutions, how do we manage the balance between protecting the media, but still keeping the solutions simple and user…
Twilight POST

Twilight POST: On the Front Lines of India’s Expanding VFX and Animation Industry

| Animation, Case Study, News, Q&A, Studio | No Comments
As the world sits up and takes notice of cinematic marvels like K.G.F: Chapter 2 and RRR, it's clear that Indian cinema is a force to be reckoned with. VFX…

How to Bypass the 3 Mental Snags of Media Sequence Creation

| Animation, News, Review, Studio, Tips & tricks | No Comments
Forging a compelling media sequence in the fires of creativity and urgent deadlines is a craft that requires meticulous planning, seamless transitions, and an instinctive understanding of storytelling. Whether for…

How Cine Chromatix Automates Production Workflows with ftrack for Award-winning Work

| Case Study, News, Q&A, Review, Studio | No Comments
Racking up industry awards in VFX is just the beginning for Cine Chromatix.   Cine Chromatix is a full-service partner for feature films and series with an in-house VFX and…