Bi-directional search and sorting

Abstract

A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to search for and interact with three-dimensional (3D) objects in a 3D model/drawing. Searches may be conducted on a per object basis (based on properties of the object) and search queries may be amended based on shared/common attributes between objects found in an initial search. Differences in search results can be identified and the causality may be used to perform additional searches. Search results may be listed in a list view and a correspondence between objects in the list view and the modeling view may be visibly discernible. Further, selection of a single object from a search result may focus the view on such an object while removing any occluding objects. Multiple selected objects can be viewed in an array of rotationally synchronized viewports.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for interacting with a three-dimensional (3D) model, comprising:
 acquiring, in a computer, the 3D model comprised of two or more 3D objects;   searching, in the computer, the two or more 3D objects based on an identified search parameter, wherein the identified search parameter specifies a property value for a property of the two or more 3D objects;   displaying, on a display device via the computer, a list palette comprised of results of the searching, wherein the list palette comprises a list of each 3D object of the two or more 3D objects having the property value;   selecting, in the computer, two or more of the 3D objects in the list palette;   displaying, on the display device via the computer, a list of shared properties for the selected two or more objects;   selecting, in the computer, one or more of the shared properties; and   searching, in the computer, the two or more 3D objects in the model based on the selected shared properties.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties comprises a single click of an icon.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties widens a scope of the search.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties narrows a scope of the search.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties comprising selecting all of the one or more shared properties; and   a scope of the searching is narrowed based on the selected shared properties.   
     
     
         6 . A computer-implemented system for interacting with a three-dimensional (3D) model, comprising:
 (a) a computer having a memory;   (b) a processor executing on the computer;   (c) the memory storing a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 acquiring the 3D model comprised of two or more 3D objects; 
 searching the two or more 3D objects based on an identified search parameter, wherein the identified search parameter specifies a property value for a property of the two or more 3D objects; 
 displaying a list palette comprised of results of the searching, wherein the list palette comprises a list of each 3D object of the two or more 3D objects having the property value; 
 selecting two or more of the 3D objects in the list palette; 
 displaying a list of shared properties for the selected two or more objects; 
 selecting one or more of the shared properties; and 
 searching the two or more 3D objects in the model based on the selected shared properties. 
   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties comprises a single click of an icon.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties widens a scope of the search.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties narrows a scope of the search.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the selecting one or more shared properties comprises selecting all of the one or more shared properties; and   a scope of the searching is narrowed based on the selected shared properties.