Create and Use Sets of Objects Use Sets of Objects

In Autodesk Navisworks, you can create and use sets of like objects. This makes it easier to review and analyze your model.

In Autodesk Navisworks, you cannot save any selection or search sets yourself, but you can use the selection or search sets saved in the model.

Selection sets store a group of items for later retrieval. There is no intelligence behind this set - if the model changes at all, the same items will be selected (assuming they are still available in the model) when recalling the selection set.

Search sets work in a similar way, except that they save search criteria instead of the results of a selection. So, if there are any search sets saved in the model, then you use them in Autodesk Navisworks to run the search and select the resulting objects.

Selection and search sets can be named and contain comments. They can also be highlighted with icons in the Scene View, so that when you click on one, the selection set is restored to the active set and all the items within it are re-selected.

Selection Sets

Selection sets are static groups of items, and are useful for saving a group of objects that you want to regularly perform some action on, such as hiding them, changing transparency and so on. They simply store a group of items for later retrieval. There is no intelligence behind this set - if the model changes at all, the same items are selected (assuming they are still available in the model) when recalling the selection set.

Search Sets

Search sets are dynamic groups of items, and work in a similar way to selection sets, except that they save search criteria instead of the results of a selection, so that you can re-run the search at a later date as and when the model changes. Search sets are much more powerful and can save you time, especially if your CAD files are continuing to be updated and revised. It is also possible to export search sets, and share them with other users.