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Capture Templates Overview

Template Configuration

What are Capture Templates?

Capture Templates define how captures behave, who can access them, and what actions occur when a capture is submitted, approved, or rejected.

Think of templates as blueprints that control every aspect of the capture experience:

  • Submission behavior (Submit vs Approve/Reject)
  • Security and role access
  • Fields and metadata
  • Artifact association rules
  • Event handling and automation
  • User interface options

Where are Templates Managed?

All Capture Template configuration is performed in:

Console → Capture Templates

From this interface, administrators can:

  • Create new templates
  • Edit existing templates
  • Enable/disable templates
  • Configure all template settings

Key Template Components

1. Basic Configuration

Every template requires:

  • Name - Display name shown to users
  • Description - Purpose and usage guidance (optional but recommended)
  • Submission Type - Submit only, or Approve/Reject

2. Security

Controls who can:

  • Create captures from this template
  • View captures in their inbox
  • Approve or reject captures

Security is role-based and integrates with MinuteView's user management system.

3. Fields

Templates define which metadata fields are:

  • Displayed during capture creation
  • Required vs optional
  • Shown as columns in the inbox
  • Available for filtering and search

4. Artifact Rules

Determines how associated files are:

  • Added to captures
  • Validated for consistency
  • Displayed in the review environment
  • Monitored for changes (stale detection)

5. Integration Settings

Templates can be configured to:

  • Appear in Mesh for quick capture creation
  • Use specific capture environments (Legacy vs Modern)
  • Connect with external systems

6. Event Handlers

Automation that runs:

  • On Submit - When a capture is submitted
  • On Approve - When a capture is approved
  • On Reject - When a capture is rejected

Can be PowerShell scripts or MinuteView workflows.


Template Types by Use Case

Document Submission Template

Submission Type: Submit

Typical Configuration:

  • Simple fields (title, description, project)
  • Mesh integration enabled
  • Email notification on submit
  • No approval required

Use Cases:

  • Document transmittals
  • Information requests
  • Data collection forms

Review & Approval Template

Submission Type: Approve/Reject

Typical Configuration:

  • Detailed fields for review criteria
  • Model viewing enabled
  • Markup tools available
  • Different workflows for approve vs reject

Use Cases:

  • Engineering drawing reviews
  • Design approvals
  • Quality gate checkpoints

AI Validation Template

Submission Type: Approve/Reject

Typical Configuration:

  • Fields for AI confidence scores
  • System-triggered (not user-created)
  • Workflow integration for continue/retry logic
  • Minimal user interface (system-driven)

Use Cases:

  • Validating AI-generated outputs
  • Human-in-the-loop AI workflows
  • Quality assurance for automated processes

Template Lifecycle

1. Planning

Define requirements:

  • What process will this template support?
  • Who needs access?
  • What data must be captured?
  • What automation is needed?

2. Creation

Build the template in Console:

  • Configure basic settings
  • Set up security and roles
  • Add fields
  • Enable integrations

3. Testing

Validate configuration:

  • Create test captures
  • Verify user experience
  • Test event handlers
  • Confirm automation works correctly

4. Deployment

Enable for production use:

  • Assign to appropriate users
  • Document usage procedures
  • Train users if needed
  • Monitor initial usage

5. Maintenance

Ongoing management:

  • Adjust fields as requirements change
  • Update automation as processes evolve
  • Review usage patterns
  • Optimize performance

Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Use clear, descriptive names that indicate:

  • What the template is for
  • Who should use it
  • What process it supports

Good: "Engineering Drawing Review - External Approval" Bad: "Template 3" or "Review Form"

Start Simple

Begin with minimal configuration:

  • Basic fields only
  • Simple automation
  • Broad access

Add complexity based on actual usage patterns, not anticipated needs.

Security First

Plan role assignments carefully:

  • Who creates captures?
  • Who reviews them?
  • Who can see sensitive data?

Security changes can impact existing captures, so plan ahead.

Test Before Deployment

Always create test captures to verify:

  • Fields display correctly
  • Security works as expected
  • Automation triggers properly
  • User experience is smooth

Document Your Templates

Maintain documentation of:

  • Template purpose and usage
  • Field definitions and requirements
  • Automation behavior
  • Security and access control

Common Template Patterns

Pattern: Simple Submission

  • Submit type only
  • Minimal fields
  • Email notification
  • No complex automation

Pattern: Multi-Stage Review

  • Approve/Reject type
  • Multiple reviewers via workflows
  • State tracking through fields
  • Complex automation

Pattern: Workflow Integration

  • Created by automation (not users)
  • Minimal user interface
  • Workflow-driven lifecycle
  • System-to-system handoffs

Template Settings Reference

SettingPurposeOptions
Submission TypeHow captures are completedSubmit, Approve/Reject
Enable in MeshAllow creation from MeshYes/No
Capture EnvironmentUI version to useLegacy, Modern
Stale DaysWhen to mark captures as staleNumber of days
Model Viewing AccountService account for viewing filesService account selection

Next Steps

Now that you understand templates, learn how to create one:

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