Model Structure Search

The Search functionality makes it possible to make a search to find a particular entity in the Model Structure. This mechanism is extremely helpful in the case of large assemblies, which usually have a long list of entries in its Model Structure. To facilitate this search, right-click in the Model Structure and select the Search option from the context menu.

Now the Search in Model Structure dialog box is displayed. The various options in this dialog box can be used to make an effective search in the Model Structure.

The explanation of various labels in the Search in Model Structure dialog box is as follows:

Document:	:	It displays the file name of the document in which the search is being made.
Search in:	:	Use this drop-down list to specify the search criteria. The search can be made either for All structure : All the entities listed in the Model Structure Failed features : Only within those features that have failed Deactivated features : Only within those features that are presently deactivated Unloaded components : Only within those components that are presently in the unloaded components
Find:	:	Specify here the name of the entity that is to be searched. The drop-down list provides the name of all those entities that were previously typed in this edit box. To make a case sensitive search, put an astrix (*) before and after the entity name.
Update	:	Choose this button to make a fresh search or to refresh the existing search.
< Prev	:	If the search yields more than one occurrences, use this button to highlight the previous occurrence.
Next >	:	If the search yields more than one occurrences, use this button to highlight the next occurrence.
Show All	:	Choose this button to toggle the display of the list box that shows all occurrences of the search result.
Options	:	Choose this button to display the System Options - Model Structure dialog box. In the Search subcategory, the following advanced search criteria can be specified: Include hidden layers : All the entities on the hidden layers will be included while performing the search. Only in current component : The search will be performed only inside the component that has been set current.
Result display area	:	This area displays the number of items found by the search.

To make a search, invoke the Search in Model Structure dialog box and follow the steps given below.

Specify the name of the entity to be searched in the Find: edit box.
Select the search criteria in the Search in: drop-down list.
Choose the Update button to start the search operation.
Choose the Show All button to display all the occurrences in the list box.

The occurrences are listed in the same sequence as per their position in the Model Structure. Note that it is also possible to make a search for a string that is only a part of the entity name, see the figure below.

If an occurrence is selected in the list box, the corresponding entity will be highlighted in the Model Structure as well as in the graphics area. Scrolling of the Model Structure and expanding of the branch nodes will take place in order to make the selected entity visible in it. You can use the < Prev and Next > buttons to cycle through the occurrences.

While making the search:

If any item is in the hidden state then the Hidden entity message will appear against it in the list box.
If any item is present in a hidden layer then the Hidden entity on hidden layer X message will appear against it in the list box, where X is the name of the hidden layer.

The following options will be available in the context menu displayed by right-clicking on an item in the list box:

Zoom Entity	:	Zooms on to the selected entity in the graphics area
Hide	:	Hides the entity
Unhide	:	Unhides the hidden entity
Deactivate Feature	:	Deactivates the feature
Activate Feature	:	Activates the deactivated feature
Redefine Feature	:	Redefines the feature
Edit Profile	:	Invokes the edit profile mode
Switch to Model	:	Switches back to the Model environment if in the edit profile mode
Delete Feature	:	Deletes the selected feature

Note that the options displayed in the context menu will depend on the selected item.

Tip

Right-click on an entity in the Model Structure and select the Search this Name option from the context menu. A search will be carried out for the selected entity name and the results will be directly displayed in the Search in Model Structure dialog box.
The Search this Name option is also available in the context menu displayed by right-clicking on an entity in the graphics area.

Advanced search criteria can also be globally set in the Model Structure - Search category of System Options.