Virtual Objects are typically used for consumables, like gaffer tape, items that are used and finished on shoots, etc.
However, they can also be used for mass items that you rent, use, and need to track. Or even for items that are too small to put a barcode sticker on and you keep them in a box with the barcode sticker next to it so you can scan it when you take one or more of the mass items out of the box.
Let's do an example with the mass item "control cable".
To make it a Virtual Object tick the box: Allow Multiple Check Outs (Virtual Object).
In the case of a control cable, you don't need to put an alarm of stock, as those are supposed to be returned. For mass item Virtual Objects, you would set a stock warning here.
The "Is Expected To Be Returned" option is ticked as you want to have it back and farmerswife should warn you if it is not returned.
The "Cause Conflict" checkbox is by default ticked off (from 6.5 onwards) as you don't want to get a conflict when booking more than one of those cables.
Add Virtual Objects stock
In the Object Manager click on the Virtual Object and select > New Check-In From Selected. The Check-In Dispatch will open. Click on the Virtual Object line > right mouse click > Copy. Type in the amount of stock that you have and hit OK.
The Virtual Object will be added as many times as you selected to the Check-In. Hit Ok and hit OK on the next message that will tell you that there hasn't been any previous Check Out for this Object.
Back in the Object Manager the stock has now gone up.
Each time you do a check out with this Virtual Object the stock will go down respectively.
Book and dispatch a Virtual Object
When adding Virtual Objects to a Booking, a quantity selector will pop up allowing you to enter the amount of the object you want to add to the Booking.
The Virtual Object will then show in a line with the quantity in front of it to indicate how many Objects have been added and a drop-down arrow where you can expand the list of Virtual Objects. The same will be possible in the Edit Dispatch window and Edit Project window.
Printing Virtual Objects
When printing a Dispatch Report, Project Report, or Invoice Report the Virtual Objects can be merged into one line.
In "Setup" enable the "Group by Obj. Class"
And then in "Elements" show the "Obj. Class Group Quant."
In Dispatch Report in "Options" you can "Merge" Virtual Objects:
If in parallel you are using the Templates > Setup > Group By. Obj. Class, Merge is ignored.
Check back in a Virtual Object
To be able to check back in a Virtual Object you have to go to the corresponding Check Out and use the option: (right mouse click ) New Check-In From Selected. Once the Virtual Object is scanned the stock will go up.
Use Virtual Objects as an Accessory to the main item
Virtual Objects can be used as an accessory inside of the main Object. If they are added as an accessory from fw 6.6 (rev. 19024) onwards the popup dialogue "Type Amount For" will be disabled. This way you can use Virtual Objects to create your kits and you won't be bothered with a quantity selector each time you are booking the Kit.
If Virtual Objects are added as a member to a Group this quantity selector will appear.