Attachments
You can attach content to a selection of Windchill objects, including documents, change objects, and notes. Attachments can be a local file, a URL link, or an externally stored source of content.
You can add attachments when creating or editing an object. The procedure used to add an attachment varies depending on the type of content you are attaching and the upload preferences set on your system.
Attachments can contain similar content to Windchill objects such as links, uploaded notebook files, and primary content documents. However, attachments are not considered unique, standalone objects. Therefore, there are fewer preferences and actions available when working with an attachment For example, attachments do not appear in the Folder Contents table.
There are three types of attachments:
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Attachment Type
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Description
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 Local File |
Local file attachments are files that you upload from your local machine to Windchill.
For example, this can be a Microsoft Word document, a text file, or a graphic.
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 URL |
URL attachments are hyperlinks to content stored on a website outside of Windchill.
For example, this can be a wiki page or product help site.
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 Externally Stored Content |
External content attachments are items that cannot be attached as local files or URL links because they are physical objects or places. Instead, the attachment describes or references the actual content.
For example, this can be a three-dimensional item such as a product model or prototype, or highly sensitive data stored in a secure location.
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Attachments are best used in the following situations:
• When content directly correlates to or is derived from the primary content. For example, an image file generated from a technical illustration.
• When you do not need to use version control, workflow processes, or customized access control settings for the content.
If you have multiple content files that are related but are not appropriate for secondary content, you have the following options:
• You can link documents within the Structure tab on the document information page. In this situation, you would group documents under one central or “parent” document. This creates a Uses and Where Used relationship, visible under the Related Objects and Structure tabs. For more information, see Structured Documents.
• You can link documents using References Documents and Referenced By Documents associations. Associated documents appear under the Related Objects tab on the document information page. For more information, see Document References and Object Relationships.
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An Attachments column is available when configuring table views. If an object includes secondary content, an attachment indicator  appears in the column. Click the indicator to open the Attachments table. |