About the System Browser

The System Browser is an effective tool for finding components that are not assigned to a system.

The System Browser opens a separate window that displays a hierarchical list of all the components in each discipline in a project, either by systems, by zones, or by analytical systems. You can dock the window above or below the drawing area or drag the window into the drawing area.

To access the System Browser, use any of the following methods:

• Click View tabWindows panel User Interface drop-downSystem Browser.
• In the drawing area, right-click (context menu) Browsers System Browser.
• You can also display the System Browser using the keyboard shortcut F9.

Customizing the View

The options in the View bar allow you to sort and customize the display of systems in the System Browser.

• Systems: displays components by major and minor systems created for each discipline.
• Zones: displays zones and spaces. Expand each zone to display the spaces assigned to the zone.
• Analytical Systems: displays analytical systems. Expand each analytical system to display water loops, air systems, and zone equipment.

When Systems is selected, you can further customize the display.

• All Disciplines: displays components in separate folders for each discipline (mechanical, piping, and electrical). Piping includes plumbing and fire protection.
• Mechanical: displays only components for the Mechanical discipline.
• Piping: displays only components for the Piping disciplines (Piping, Plumbing, and Fire Protection).
• Electrical: displays only components for the Electrical discipline.

When Systems or Zones are displayed, click the following buttons to customize the display.

• AutoFit All Columns: adjusts the width of all columns to fit the text in the headings.
  Note: You can also double-click a column heading to automatically adjust the width of a column.
• Column Settings: opens the Column Settings dialog where you specify the columnar information displayed for each discipline. Expand individual categories (General, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical) as desired, and select the properties that you want to appear as column headings. You can also select columns, and click Hide or Show to select column headings that display in the table.

When Analytical Systems is displayed, click the following buttons to customize the display.

• Add Zone Equipment: Adds zone equipment. Define the zone equipment by editing parameters in the Properties palette.
• Add Air SystemAdds an air system. Define the air system by editing parameters in the Properties palette.
• Add Water Loop: Adds a water loop. Define the water loop by editing parameters in the Properties palette.
• AutoFit All Columns: adjusts the width of all columns to fit the text in the headings.
  Note: You can also double-click a column heading to automatically adjust the width of a column.

Displaying Systems Information

Depending on its current state, right-clicking in a table row lets you select from the following options:

• Expand/Expand All: Expand exposes the content of the selected folder. Expand All exposes the content of all the folders below the selected folder in the hierarchy.
• Collapse/Collapse All: closes a selected folder/all folders. Although not visible, Collapse leaves any expanded sub-folders expanded. Collapse All closes the selected folder and all expanded sub-folders. You can also double-click a branch or click the minus (-) symbol next to a folder to collapse a folder.
• Select: selects a component in the System Browser and in the current view drawing.
  Tip:

  • You can select a component in the drawing area to highlight it in the System Browser.
  • You can select multiple components in the System Browser and in the drawing area, by pressing Ctrl or Shift while selecting the items.
  • You can highlight or pre-select a component in the System Browser and in the drawing area, by placing the cursor on an item in the System Browser.
  • When you select an element in the System Browser while displaying a panel schedule or schedule view, the Properties palette displays the properties of the selected element, similar to the behavior in plans, sections, and 3D views.
• Show: opens a view containing the selected component. When the selected component is present in several currently open views, the Show Element In View dialog opens, instructing you to click Show multiple times to cycle through the views containing the selected component. Each time you click OK, a different view is displayed in the drawing area with the component that you selected in the System Browser highlighted.

  When no currently open view contains the selected component, you are prompted to open an appropriate view or Cancel the operation and close the message.

• Delete: removes the selected components from the project. Any components that are orphaned as a result are moved to an Unassigned folder in the System Browser.
• Properties: opens the Properties palette for a selected component.