This article contains answers to frequently asked questions about the ‘Designer’ and ‘Writer’ roles. 


Related article: Designer and writer roles – an overview


Topics


If I sign in to Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus in my modelling software and my web browser, how many sessions will I use?

Signing into two different browsers (or using the modelling software and a web browser) requires two separate sessions. For model users, it's recommended to pop out the Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus window and switch it to full-screen mode to reduce the need to sign into your browser too.  


Related articles:

Who is counted as an active user?

Who can end active user sessions?


Who is a Designer role for?

Organizations that want to coordinate the design model with the specification but don’t need all users to edit or write specification content.


What is the price structure for Designer roles?

You can tailor your subscription to suit your team’s roles and projects and allow the whole project team to work together within the platform. Multiple users across different offices and locations can develop the model and specification together, making instant updates. Request information via theNBS.com.


What can you do when signed in to the modelling software as a Designer?

The main difference between the Writer and Designer roles is the ability to edit specification content. As a Designer, you can view: the specification content, the NBS guidance, organization notes, and manufacturer product information. You can associate your specification content to model objects, manage associations and annotate your model.


Related articles:

Designer and writer roles – an overview


What can you do when signed in to the modelling software as a Writer?

You can perform most of the activities in the modelling software that you can in your web browser. You can edit the specification, copy and paste specification content, mark articles and clauses as complete, add and manage users, end the sessions of users, create and edit organization notes, etc.


You cannot publish from Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus when inside the modelling software. You cannot upload stylesheets to the platform from inside the modelling software. These activities involve downloading and uploading files, so you need to do this from your web browser.


Which role should third-party collaborators (guests) use?

With Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus, you can invite third-party collaborators* into your projects to work on them with you. In the platform, external collaborators are referred to as ‘guests'. Firstly, you control what access the guest has by setting their permission in the project’s ‘Team members’ area. 

  • If your guest is only responsible for viewing the specification and adding spec notes, you would give them ‘Reader’ permission in Team members. They should use the Designer role. 
  • If your guest is responsible for coordinating the design model with the specification, you would give them Designer permission in Team members. They should use the Designer role.
  • If your guest is expected to edit the specification or copy specification information into your project, you would give them ‘Contributor’ or higher permission in Team members. They should use the Writer role. A manufacturer or specification consultant who is contributing to your project should use the Writer role. If they are only viewing the project, then they can use the Designer role.

*Inviting guests to your projects requires a 'Pro' (or above) subscription. See subscription plans


Which project permission should I give the model developer?

If you want the model developer to access the specification and make model associations but not edit its contents, you should give them the Designer permission.


Related articles:

Which permissions and roles to assign for your projects

Collaboration roles and permissions - Projects & master folders


Which role should manufacturers copying into my projects use?

If you want the manufacturer to copy specification content into your project or write part of the specification for you, you should give them ‘Contributor’ permission.


Related articles:

Which permissions and roles to assign for your projects

Collaboration roles and permissions - Projects & master folders


What is the difference between Designer permissions and Designer roles?

The Designer permission controls what the user can do in the project. They sit between ‘Reader’ and ‘Contributor’, and allow you to make associations between the model and specification, but not edit the spec. 


The Designer role sits a level above, and gives cost-effective access to the platform for organizations that want to coordinate the design model with the specification but don’t need all users to edit or write specification content.


Related articles:

Which permissions and roles to assign for your projects

Collaboration roles and permissions - Projects & master folders


Can I just use the Designer permission without adding Designer roles to my subscription?

Yes. You do not need designer roles to assign someone the designer permission.


How do I sign another user out (for example, if someone is not active and has forgotten to close Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus)?

All organization users can see who is signed into the platform and what role they are using in the ‘Active users’ window. Organization administrators can end the sessions of other users. Ending a session will sign the user out and free up their session so that someone else can sign in.


Related articles:

Who is counted as an active user?

Who can end active user sessions?

What happens to a user when their session is ended?

This subscription to Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus is currently full


Someone has signed in with the role that you want to use; what can you do?

Lattirs Spec and NBS Chorus shows you how many roles are available and how many are taken. If you need to do an activity that requires a Writer role and only a Designer role is available, we recommend seeing if someone can hand back a Writer role. 

  • If it is the other way round and you want to perform Designer activities and only Writer roles are free, selecting the Writer role won’t be a problem. 
  • All organization users can see who is signed into the platform and what role they are using in the ‘Active users’ window. Organization administrators can end the sessions of other users. Ending a session will sign the user out and free up their session so that someone else can sign in.


Related articles:

Who is counted as an active user?

Who can end active user sessions?

What happens to a user when their session is ended?

This subscription to Lattira Spec/ NBS Chorus is currently full


Do you need to choose your role each time you sign in to the platform?

No. When you select your role, check ‘Remember this for <organization name>’. This will allow your role in that organization to be remembered. When you sign in to the platform or open it in another tab, you will automatically get your preferred role. If your preferred role is full, the platform will show you the ‘Select your role’ dialog box. You can see what is available and click on ‘Active users’ to see who is already signed in.


Related article: Select your role