How to record related objects

EMu allows one object to be related to one or more objects. Examples of related objects are:

  • A eucalyptus tree and the koala
  • A parasite that is associated with a specific tree.

    Related Objects

When an object (Item 1) is related to another object (Item 2) using the Objects: (Related) table, a reciprocal relationship can automatically be created for Item 2: the Objects: (Related) table for Item 2 will be updated to show that Item 1 is a related object.

Two points should be noted here:

  1. This relationship is not a reverse attachment.
  2. It is necessary for this functionality to be configured for your version of EMu.

    Note: If a reciprocal relationship is not automatically created for the two objects, speak to your Systems Administrator or contact Axiell Support.

If a third object is related to the second object, the first object is not automatically related to the third object. For this reason, if the objects can be related in a hierarchical relationship, it is preferable to relate them using a parent / child relationship because the Parts function will automatically relate all objects in the same hierarchy together in the Parts tab.

Note: An object must already exist in the Catalogue before an object can be related to it.

To attach a related object to another object:

  1. Search for or add a record for an object.
  2. Select the Associations tab.
  3. Place the cursor in the Object Name: (Related Objects) field.
  4. If you know the name of the related object, enter it in the Object Name: (Related Objects) field.
  5. Click Attach Attach beside the field.

    A second copy of the Catalogue module opens.

  6. Search for and select the related object(s).
  7. Click Attach Current Record Attach Current Record or Attach Selected Records Attach Selected Records in the Tool bar.

    The Summary DataClosedA one line summary of key fields in a record. In Details View the current record's Summary Data displays beneath the Tool bar; and a Target record's Summary Data displays in an attachment field when an attachment has been made. of the related object(s) is copied into the Object Name: (Related Objects) field and the objects are now related.

  8. If additional objects are to be related, place the cursor in the row in the Object Name: (Related Objects) field with an asterisk and repeat steps 4 onwards.

    Note: If there are many objects to be related, use the drag and drop method (see Using the drag and drop method).