Select by Filter Command - Intergraph Smart 3D - Help

Intergraph Smart 3D Common

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Smart 3D Version
13.1

Selects objects from the workspace using a filter. The filter queries objects in the workspace and select these to retrieve the specified objects and displays them in the workspace. You define the search criteria for the filter by selecting specific tabs on the Filter Properties dialog box. After the software retrieves the objects, you can apply commands such as Copy, Paste, Delete, and Apply View Style to the entire group.

The Select Filter dialog box allows you to create, edit, delete, and manage different types of filters in the software. This dialog box appears when you are selecting objects by filter, defining a workspace, and creating or editing surface style rules. These actions are different, but all of them use filters as part of their workflow.

Using Filters

A filter is a set of search criteria that helps to select or retrieve data in the model. You use filters in many ways:

  • Select objects based on specific criteria. For example, you can use a filter to select all hot water tanks in the model, and then apply a property change to all the tanks.

  • Define the objects you want to include in your workspace. For more information, see Define Workspace.

  • Apply surface style rules to a group of objects. For more information, see Surface Style Rules.

  • Create drawings and reports. For more information, see the Drawings and Reports Help.

You can create a new filter by selecting Create New Filter in the Filter box on the Define Workspace dialog box as you begin a new session. When at least one filter is defined for the session, you can create a new filter using the Tools > Select by Filter command.

Permission groups and user access levels in the software control the operations you can do with filters. For example, creating, editing, and deleting filters are subject to access control. To create filters, you must have Write permissions in the applicable permission group. To view filters, you must have a minimum of Read permission.

When filters are created, they belong by default to the permission group associated with their folder. However, you can later modify the filters to belong to a permission group other than the permission group of the parent folder.

Filter Types

Filters are classified into different groups based on the criteria described in the following table.

Organizing Filters - Filters can be grouped into sub folders under three main delivered Filter Folders.

Organizing Filters

Description

Catalog Filters

Shared outside the model by multiple models that use the same catalog. The filter definition must be model independent, and cannot contain model specific data such as System, Assembly, Named Space, Permission Group, Work Breakdown Structure, and so on.

In general, you can reuse catalog filters with Drawing View Styles and Surface Style Rules commands, and you can also use them with the Define Workspace and Select by Filter commands. These filters are generic, and contain only metadata criteria such as object types and properties, and are shared more extensively than model filters.

Model Filters

Shared by all users within the model, and are saved in the model database. The filter definition can contain any model specific data. Most users have read-only permissions to model filters.

My Filters (Personal Filters)

A subset of model filters available only to the user who created the filter within the model. The filter definition can contain model specific data, and you can modify the definition of any filters you create. Because these are private filters, you cannot use them with the Drawing View Styles and Surface View Styles commands. However, you can use them with the Define Workspace and Select by Filter commands. My Filters contains the filters you create or modify. Personal filters are also saved in the model database.

In a Global Workshare configuration, users in different domains who have the same login could encounter problems with write access in My Filters. For example, this situation can occur with hostdomain\JohnSmith at the host and satellitedomain\JohnSmith at the satellite. In this scenario, the user with write access (hostdomain\JohnSmith) should create a child folder under the original My Filters folder and transfer that child folder to a permission group owned by the satellite location where satellitedomain\JohnSmith has write access. This operation allows the satellitedomain\JohnSmith user in the satellite location to create filters and folders within that child folder.

Filters Composition - Filters are composed of simple and compound filters.

Filters Composition

Description

Simple Filters

Prompts for specific values or properties. The properties you select determine the extent of your search.

Simple filters define all the queries in one form. The default extension and restriction is sufficient to complete the search.

Compound Filters

Combines entire simple filters using logical conditions, such as AND, OR, or NOT to define complex queries. You can also combine any catalog filter with any predefined asking model filter and so on.

You create compound filters in My Filters or Model Filters using constituent filters folders from Catalog Filters, Model Filters, or My Filters. The Compound Filters dialog box has Union, Intersection, and Negation buttons you can use to build statements.

Compounding is not supported on filters that have external references, such as Reference Files and Reference 3D.

Filters Definition - Filters can be defined using two methods.

Filters Definition

Description

Predefined Queries Filters

Uses simple filter definition with some typical predefined queries. You can select Hierarchical Queries (System, Assembly, Named Space, Permission Group, Work Breakdown Structure, Reference 3D, Reference, Analysis, and so on), Object Types Query, Properties Query, or Volume Query (or by Coordinate System Planes).

Standard Query Language (SQL) Filters

Used when predefined queries are not sufficient. You can create a query using SQL syntax. Type the query text in the SQL Filter Properties dialog box, and click OK. The SQL Filter Properties dialog box stores the SQL filter in the Model or the Catalog folder. The SQL filters are listed in the tree view under the appropriate parent filter folder in the Select Filter dialog box.

Filters Execution - If an asking filter is used with Define Workspace or Select by Filter, the Filter Properties for Asking Filters dialog box displays. The Asking Filter – user of filter will supply value option is selected by default when the filter is defined.

Filters Execution

Description

Asking Filter

Reduces the need for multiple specific individual filters. These parametric filters prompt for specific values or selection. Filters such as Catalog or Model have an incomplete definition that requires user intervention during run time.

Because of this behavior, you can use asking filters with Define Workspace and Select by Filter. Asking filters provide universal and flexible usage. These filters are optimal for Model filters which cannot be modified by most of the users, but can be used easily. Asking filters are identified with a green question mark.

Silent Filter

Silent (non-parametric) filters are exactly opposite to Asking filters. These filters have complete definition and can be run directly, and are used in non-interactive modes such as Drawing View Styles and Surface Style Rules.

You can use asking filters interactively. Their use is limited in commands and features. You can use bulk filters to execute queries in batch mode or by background process. Some examples are Surface Style Rules with many rules using filters, or Drawing View Styles where filters are used for respective tests during run time.

When you create or modify a filter, you must specify the search criteria on the Filter Properties dialog box. The properties you select determine the extent of the search. For example, the System, Assembly, or Named Space tabs on the Filter Properties dialog box provide for extensive searches, while the Properties, Volume, Permission Group, and Object Type tabs assist with more restrictive searches. The Configuration tab specifies the permission group assignment of the filter. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) tab identifies objects in the selected WBS for the filter. For example, you can select projects, contracts, or documents from the WBS.

Access control of filters

To create a new filter or filter folder or modify an existing one, you need to have write access to a permission group where you create the new filter. Unlike design objects, a new filter inherits write access to a permission group from its parent folder. By default, the Catalog and Model filter folders are assigned to their respective administrative root permission group.

Filters - Rules of usage and limitations

The following table contains the list of available filters and their rules of usage and limitations.

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