Using the Search Tool in Pro/ENGINEER

One way to invoking the Search Tool in Pro/ENGINEER is to click on the binoculars icon:

You find this command in the Edit drop-down menu, Find

Control-F is a quick shortcut, adhering to Windows standard

There are numerous situations where this tool comes in handy. First let’s look at using it in an assembly.

Using the Search Tool is the fastest way to locate any component in a Simplified Rep (or Style State, or other function). Some of the search filters include:

Attributes: Model name, Expression, Component, Type, Size

History: ID, Number, Failed Feat, Last Feat

Status: Regeneration, Layer, Display, Parent/child

Geometry: Zone, Distance, Exterior components

In many assembly designs, there are components that are problematic, but these problems may not be immediately obvious to you. For better downstream reuse and robustness, especially before release or collaboration, these issues should be resolved. This will result in a much cleaner assembly and ensure accuracy. One quick way to find potentially problematic components is to run a search on the assembly. (Figure 1)

Using the Search Tool in an intelligent Simplified Rep

In order to keep a Search filter persistent in a Simplified Rep, you must use Definition Rules (Rule Actions) when setting it up.

When you create a new Simplified Rep, select the top-right icon in the dialog box to create Rule Actions

The Rule Action may be to Exclude or Master, for example, and so the “Condition” is what you define with the Search Tool (Figure 2 & 3)

A Rule Editor will be displayed and this will automate the filtering process with your search criteria continuously updating based on changes to the assembly. There is no need to re-create the rules or re-run your search. They can also be combined — which will be explained later.

Definition Rule examples:

Show only “Exterior Components”

Exclude all “Released” components

Show only Parent and Child references of “X” component

Exclude components with parameter “type” = “hardware”

Show only components within 3 inches of the “Y” subassembly

Other applications of the Search Tool

There are plenty of other situations where Find can help you out. In order to find the location of a feature in the model tree, you can select it on screen. But, what if the feature is in a pattern or group, or the model tree is so long that it goes off the screen? When the Search tool is used to find a feature, by ID for example, then it will highlight and your model tree will navigate to it automatically. (Figure 4 & 5)

By selecting the Options button in the Search Tool, you may opt to “Filter Tree” which will show only your resulting features in the model tree

In order to search using multiple criteria, you must use the Build Query option

Lastly, by selecting Save Query, you may store a custom search as a layer in your design (Figure 6)