Create, Import, and Use Search Sets

Create search sets to produce reusable object queries based on model properties. Using search sets means you can avoid rebuilding the same filter logic every time you need to find similar objects in your models. Instead, run a search set to quickly find and select or filter groups of model objects that match saved property-based criteria.

Create a Search Set

1. Open the model in the viewer that you want to create search sets based on.

2. Click the Search sets icon at the bottom of the navigation toolbar to open the Search sets panel.

3. Click Create search set.

4. Build your query using the basic and advanced filters.

   Tip: You can create rule groups and reorder rules by dragging.

   As you build your query using the filters, matching objects are automatically highlighted in the models.

5. Click Save as search set.

6. Enter a name for the search set, and then click Save.

   Tip: Search set names must be unique and can be up to 64 characters. Name your search sets specifically, based on what they find in the model, for example Supply air ducts.

The saved search set is displayed in the list of search sets in the panel, and is available for use here and in the Model browser.

Create model-specific search sets

If you have multiple models or a view open, and similar object types exist in those models, you can add model-specific criteria to narrow the search set to target a specific file, model, or view.

1. Click Add condition > Model.

2. Select either File Name or Viewable Name as the model property.

3. Choose an operator.

4. Choose the value that represents the file, model, or view you want to target.

   Tip: In the Search sets panel, the information icon next to each search set displays details of which models it applies to.

For example, suppose your RVT file contains 3D views that represent the facade and architectural models, and both models contain walls. Use the Viewable Name option to select the specific model or 3D view of interest. You can then use additional basic or advanced rules to target the walls within that model, joining those rules using AND.

Duplicate a Search Set

Duplicate a search set to create a copy you can adjust, without starting from scratch. Any project member can duplicate a search set.

1. Click the Search sets icon at the bottom of the navigation toolbar to open the Search sets panel.
2. Click the more menu next to the search set you want to copy, and then click Duplicate.

The copy is added to the list, ready to edit or use.

Import a Search Set

Project administrators can import search sets from other projects where they're also a project administrator. Importing search sets across projects helps you maintain consistency and reuse across companies and teams. Imported search sets are visible to everyone with access to the project.

You can import individual search sets or entire folders with the search sets they contain.

To import search sets:

1. Open the model in the viewer that you want to find objects in.
2. Click the Search sets icon at the bottom of the navigation toolbar to open the Search sets panel.
3. Click the Import icon to open the Import search sets dialog.
4. Select the project you want to import from.
5. Select the search sets or folders you want to import, and then click Import.

The imported search sets and folders are added to the panel, ready for use.

Run a Search Set

Run a search set to find and select the matching objects in your open models.

1. Open the model in the viewer that you want to find objects in.

2. Click the Search sets icon at the bottom of the navigation toolbar to open the Search sets panel.

3. Find the search set you want to use in the list.

   Tip: Search matches folder and search set names across the entire folder hierarchy. You can also sort the list, and click the information icon next to a search set to see which models it applies to and the rules it contains.

4. Select the search set to run it.

   By default, matching objects are selected and highlighted in the models that are open in the viewer. This helps you to inspect model objects before deciding whether to apply additional actions, such as filtering or creating a viewpoint.

   Note: If no objects match the saved criteria, the search set can still be selected, but no objects are highlighted. You might need to check you have loaded the correct model.

5. Once you've run a search set, you can also:

   1. Apply additional filters using the Model browser panel.

      This is helpful when you want to, for example:

      • Inspect a subset of objects within a saved search set.
      • Save a one-off filtered viewpoint.
      • Test a variation before deciding whether to create a new search set.

   2. Show or hide the matching or non-matching objects using the Model browser panel, or view their properties with the Properties tool on the viewing toolbar.

Use search sets with viewpoints

Once you have created and run a search set, save a new viewpoint based on it.

If you apply basic and advanced filters using the Model browser panel in addition to a search set, and then save a viewpoint, the viewpoint keeps the combination of the filters and search set. The original search set remains unchanged.