Use Object Properties to Find Objects with Object Search

Object searching makes it easier to find specific objects in models based on their properties. Saved object searches that are shared with the project can be used downstream for Clash in the Cloud processes.

With Object Search, you can:

Create simple or complex search conditions based on object properties of the models loaded into the viewer
Options to isolate the search results in the viewer or show found objects highlighted in the model/s
Save the object search for re-use later
Edit the metadata details of a saved search or its search conditions
Use a saved object search in a clash test

Object search supports IFC and Revit models.

To view 3D files:

Go to a project/shell tab, and switch to User mode.
Select a 3D file from your local system or
In the left Navigator, select any of the following nodes:
- Select Document Manager, and then select Documents.
- Select Document Manager, and then select Unpublished Documents.
- Select Tasks, and open a business process:
  1. Select the Attachments tab, and then select a 3D file attachment.
  2. Right-click a 3D file, and then select Open.
In the 3D Files tab, select a 3D file to open it.
(Optional) Perform any of the following actions:
- To maximize and view the file, select Fullscreen.
- To show or hide the files in the current folder, select File Type ( ).
- To view the revision history, select History.
- To close the 3D file, select Close (X).
To perform an object search:
1. Load the model you want to view.
2. Navigate to the viewpoint you want to view.
3. From the toolbar, select Object Search ( ).
4. In the Object Search pane, refine your search by specifying any of the following optional details:
  - Populate the conditions for your search by selecting values from the following lists: Property Set, Property, Operator, and Property Value.
  - To modify an existing condition, select Edit condition ( ).
  - To discard an existing condition, select Remove condition ( ).
  - To narrow your search by adding an AND/OR condition to the group, select Add Condition. For example, you can specify two properties Category of Ducts AND System Type of Supply Air.
  - To add a group of AND/OR conditions, select Add Group.
  - To save conditions of the object search, select Save ( ).
  - To delete conditions for an object search, select Cancel (X).
  - To show objects returned in a search as isolated, select Isolate.
  - To show objects returned in a search with models, select Show with models.
To clear results of an object search, from the Clear menu, choose Clear search conditions or Clear search results.
Note:
- Even if a found object does not display in Unifier Viewer, the results count will still include the object when it matches the properties used in the search conditions.
- If you search specifically for part objects and want to select just that part object in the viewer (rather than a composite), set the Composite Object Selection toggle to off.
- Select the tick icon to put the condition into Presentation Mode (which uses less space). Running a search will automatically put populated conditions into Presentation Mode. You can return the condition to Edit mode by hovering over the condition and selecting the pencil icon.

Save, Edit, and Delete a Search

If you have permission to access models, you can save your own searches in your profile. Permissions to share your saved search criteria (or to edit or delete organization-wide or project-wide saved searches that anyone in your organization created) is determined by access rights granted to you by your administrator. Your recipients' permissions profiles determine who has access to edit or delete your saved search.

Troubleshooting Search Issues

If no results display after you run an object search, the search found no objects that match the properties used in the search conditions. You may encounter this scenario when running a saved search made for:
- A specific model format, for example, IFC model using IFC specific properties on another model format such as Revit.
- A specific model discipline (for example, mechanical) on another discipline (for example, structural).
If the results count number is higher than the found objects visible in the viewer, the search results may have returned objects without geometry that match the search conditions. Objects without geometry could be IfcProject, IfcSite and IfcBuilding.
Some operators may be missing for specific properties in a search condition because some property types don’t feature all possible operators, like Contains (for example, the Class property of the Entity property set for an IFC object).
You may also notice operators changing if the property has a numeric value.
The Contains operator cannot be used for numeric properties.
"Greater than or equal to" and "Less than or equal to" are not yet available.
If you cannot view composite objects in the viewer, toggle the Composite Object selection to on in the Viewer toolbar. Select Search to re-run the search.

Save, Edit, and Delete a Search

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