How Catalogs are used in StoryFlow

Catalogs are groups of items that can be reused in multiple scripts.

Within StoryFlow, you can create various catalogs for content that include media, scene objects, positional anchors, animations, and more. Basically, everything that you use in the scene originates from a catalog and this is what makes the 3D scenes interactive. 

Location of Catalogs

There are two places that you can view, manage and add catalog content in StoryFlow.  

Dashboard

The first place is within the dashboard:

When you open the Catalog, you will see the items are organized by catalog type.  The type is determined when you create catalog items:

To quickly find items, we can use the search at the top.  When we click once on the folder of a catalog we can see the creation details.

Double-clicking on a folder will open it up so that you can view, edit, create, and delete contents:

Catalog Shortcut

The second location you can access your catalogs is the Catalog Shortcut.  On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see the file folder icon.  All catalogs are here, organized by category type. 

To edit the name or delete the catalog, click on the ellipses.  To see the content of that catalog, click on the name. Here you can edit, delete, or add new content items.   

Catalog Types - Different types of catalogs

When you add content to StoryFlow it’s important to use the correct and consistent type of catalog type.  As you design your script you will incorporate resources that use a specific type of content and will look to the appropriate catalog type to draw content from.  When you add items to a category type, you only get an editor with fields specific to that content type in question.

Let’s see an example of that in action.  I have a script that is spawning a new character.  I need to add the character and determine where that character will be in the scene.  

When I click on the plus icon next to Asset, I’m presented with the category type Unity Asset.  When I click on the Character Assets, I can choose my character.  Next, I can add the correct position to the Anchor Object.  The reason this works is that the character and the anchor are saved as the correct categories.  

Video

This highlights the importance of correct catalog types.  

Creating and Importing Catalogs 

Within StoryFlow you have the ability to add new content from your computer or use content already in your Media Library in Motive. 

Adding new content from your computer into catalogs (Create)

We are going to add two types of content.  Media items and a Positional Anchor.

I have a video that I’d like to upload into StoryFlow.  Here are the steps starting from the Main Dashboard:

• Create Catalog (if applicable)

  • Select Type as Media Item

  • Name the catalog Training Videos

  • Select Create

• Open Catalog by double-clicking

• Click on + to Create a Media Item

• Click on the new Media Item

• Select Choose Media

• Select Upload

• Click to select from computer or drag and drop the item

• Rename Title

• Save

Now, let’s create a Positional Anchor for a catalog that already exists starting from the Main Dashboard.  

• Find or Create Catalog with Named Positional Anchor Type

• Open Catalog by double-clicking

• Click on + to Create a Named Positional Anchor

• Add a Title

• Choose Fixed or Relative Position from the dropdown

• Click on + to manually enter coordinates OR use the VR Editor to set a positional anchor within the headset

• Save

Add Catalogs from other Projects (Import)

I have two projects in StoryFlow.  A workshop and an office.  When I go to the catalog area and choose “Import Catalog” you can see that I have some options available to me.  I can see the catalogs that I have in my other project that are available to be brought in.  To add one or several, simply check the box and choose Import.

Video

Edit and Delete Catalogs

	From Main Dashboard	From Catalog Shortcut
Edit item in Catalog (Re-name or Replace)	Open the Catalog from the Dashboard, Double-Click on the folder, Click on the item to edit, Save changes.	Open the Catalog Icon, Click on the folder, click the Edit Icon next to the item to edit: Click Checkmark to save changes:
*Delete Catalog	Open the Catalog from the Dashboard, Right-Click on the folder and choose *Delete:	Open the Catalog Icon, click on the Ellipses and choose *Delete:
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DELETING* If you delete specifically a media catalog, the items that were in that catalog will still be found in the Media area of the Dashboard.  So it is only the folder that is deleted.   If you delete any other catalog other than media, all items in the catalog will be permanently deleted.
Rename Catalog Folder	Same as Delete, but choose Rename.	Same as Delete, but choose Rename.