Search for model objects

Tekla Structures
Modified: 6 Dec 2022
2023
Tekla Structures

Search for model objects

You can quickly search for objects in the entire model or within the selected model objects by using the Model search toolbar.

When you run a search in the model, Tekla Structures searches for objects whose property values contain the search term, and then highlights and selects the objects that have matching property values. Tekla Structures searches for the following objects and checks the listed object properties for matches:

  • Parts and items: name, profile or shape, material, part position number, assembly position number or cast unit position number, GUID

  • Pour objects: pour type (if pour management is enabled)

  • Reinforcement: name, grade, position number, cast unit position number, GUID

  • Surfaces: name, GUID

  • Components: name, running number (shown in the Inquire object dialog box), GUID

  • Assemblies: name, assembly position number, GUID

  • Cast units: name, cast unit position number, GUID

  • Pour units: name (if pour management is enabled)

  • All other objects: GUID

You can use the following wildcards in the search term: *, ?, or [ ], or " " for exact match.

The search term may consist of several words. When a property value of an object contains all of those words, Tekla Structures finds that object.

If there is only one word in the search term, Tekla Structures finds all the objects whose property values contain that word. For example, with the search term Plate you can find objects with the name Plate or End plate, but objects with the name Plate1 are not found.

If you enclose the search term in " ", Tekla Structures only finds the exact matches. For example, "end plate" does not find objects with the name Stiffened end plate or Two sided end plate.

The search is not case-sensitive, which means that you can use both lower-case and upper-case letters. For example, the search terms beam and BEAM give the same search results.

If the Select assemblies selection switch is active, Tekla Structures searches for assemblies, cast units, and pour units with matching names or position numbers. Otherwise Tekla Structures searches for other objects with matching property values. Other selection switches do not affect the search results.

Search in the entire model

When you run a search in the entire model, Tekla Structures also searches for the hidden objects whose property values match the search criteria.

  1. If pour management is enabled and you are searching for pour objects or pour units, ensure that you are using a pour view.
  2. On the Model search toolbar, enter the search term in the box.

    You can use wildcards *, ?, or [ ], or " " for exact match.

  3. Click , or press Enter.

Tekla Structures highlights and selects the model objects whose property values match the search criteria, and shows the object properties in the property pane.

Search within the selected model objects

  1. Select the objects within which you want to search.

    You can use area selection or a filter to focus on certain objects.

  2. On the Model search toolbar, enter the search term in the box.

    You can use wildcards *, ?, or [ ], or " " for exact match.

  3. Click .

Tekla Structures highlights and selects the model objects whose property values match the search criteria, and shows the object properties in the property pane.

Review the search results

You may find these tips useful when you examine the search results and the selected model objects.

  • To hide the model objects whose property values do not match the search criteria, do any of the following:

    • Press Ctrl+5 to show the matching objects only.

    • Press Shift+5 to show the matching component objects only.

    • Right-click and select Show only selected.

  • To narrow down your search further, you can run nested searches. Keep the first search result objects selected and then run another search within them by clicking .

  • To review the matching objects as a list, use Organizer. Object Browser lists the selected objects and shows their properties in columns.

  • To review or modify the properties of the selected objects, use the property pane.

Show or hide the Model search toolbar

By default, the Model search toolbar is visible and located at the bottom of the Tekla Structures main window.

If the toolbar is not visible, do one of the following:

  • Go to the File menu, click Settings, and in the Toolbars list, select the Model search toolbar check box.

  • Go to Quick Launch, start typing toolbar, and then select the Model search toolbar check box in the list that appears.

If you want to hide the Model search toolbar, clear the Model search toolbar check box in File > Settings > Toolbars or by using Quick Launch.

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