Filtering techniques

Conditions

Use conditions to define how filter criteria relate to one another. Note that when you create filters, you are always defining what should be shown (or be selectable) in the model or drawing. Therefore, if you enter "Component name does not contain gusset", you are telling Tekla Structures to show all components whose name does not contain the word "gusset". Tekla Structures then hides all components which have the word "gusset" in their name.


Condition	Description
Equals	Use this condition when the filter value must be matched exactly. For example, "Part name equals `BEAM`."
Does not equal	Filters out objects that contain the value you enter. For example, "Part profile does not equal `BL20020`" means that Tekla Structures will hide (or not select) the objects whose profile is BL20020. The rest of the objects will be shown (or selected).
Begins with	Finds all objects that start with the value you enter. For example, "Component name begins with `purlin`."
Does not begin with	Filters out objects that start with the value you enter. For example, "Component name does not begin with `shear`" means that Tekla Structures will hide (or not select) the objects whose name begins with the word "shear". The rest of the objects will be shown (or selected).
Ends with	Finds all objects that end with the value you enter. For example, "Component name ends with `plate`."
Does not end with	Filters out objects that end with the value you enter. For example, "Component name does not end with `angle`" means that Tekla Structures will hide (or not select) the objects whose name ends with the word "angle". The rest of the objects will be shown or selected.
Contains	Finds all objects that include the value you enter. For example, "Component name contains `plate`" would find `base plate` and `shear plate simple`.
Does not contain	Filters out objects that include the value you enter. For example, "Component name does not contain `gusset`" means that Tekla Structures will hide (or not select) the objects whose name contains the word "gusset". The rest of the objects will be shown or selected.
Greater than	Finds all objects that exceed the value you enter. For example, "Template attribute `LENGTH` is greater than `5000`." This property can only be used with numerical data, such as the part start number, class, phase, or `LENGTH`.
Greater or equal	Finds all objects that match or exceed the value you enter. This property can only be used with numerical data, such as the part start number, class, phase, or `LENGTH`.
Less than	Finds all objects that are less than the value you enter. This property can only be used with numerical data, such as the part start number, class, phase, or `LENGTH`.
Less or equal	Finds all objects that match or are less than the value you enter. This property can only be used with numerical data, such as the part start number, class, phase, or `LENGTH`.
Later than	Available for dates only. The date must be later than the one you have defined. For example, "Object's approval date later than `4/10/2017`."
Later than or equal	Available for dates only. The date must be later than or equal to the one you have defined.
Earlier than	Available for dates only. The date must be earlier than the one you have defined. For example, "Object's approval date earlier than `2/18/2017`."
Earlier than or equal	Available for dates only. The date must be earlier than or equal to the one you have defined.

And/Or options

Use the And/Or options when you create filter rules that consist of several rows.


Option	Description
And	Use to find objects that match both values. When you create filter rules between objects whose Category settings differ, use the And option when possible to avoid potential problems with more complex rules.
Or	Use to find objects that match either value.
empty (= And)	Empty means the same as And.

Brackets

You can use single, double, and triple brackets to create more complex filter rules.

Example 1. Use the format "A and (B or C)" to find objects that match the first filter rule and either of the last two rules.

Example 2. Use the format "(A and B) or C" to find objects that match both of the first two rules or the third.