Explorer
UI: Explorer
Module: Model Explorer
Purpose
Exploration of 3D models in grid/tree + viewer: groups, calculate, selection, properties, and layouts (TreeGrid / 2 Columns / 3D View).
Relevance
Bridge between CDE (federated files) and Design/Build (Topics, clashes, QTO). Without a stable Explorer, viewpoints and selection fail.
Usage example
The team federated Architecture + Structure. The coordinator chooses Select Group, Calculate, layout 2 Columns, isolates an IfcWall, reviews Properties, and creates a New Topic.
Who can use it
Users with Model Explorer access / project models.
Screen anatomy
- Ribbon: Manage (Groups/Views/Topics) · Navigate · Reports · Integrations · Layouts.
- Viewer panels: Model Tree · Properties · Section · Measurements · Viewpoints · Markup · Settings.
- Main: TreeGrid and/or 3D according to layout.
Options and fields
Explorer Ribbon
| Group | Actions |
|---|---|
| Manage → Groups | Select Group · Calculate · Create · Edit · Duplicate · Delete |
| Manage → Views | Save · Save As · Edit |
| Manage → Topics | New |
| Navigate → Interactions | Highlight · Isolate · Wireframe · Ghost · Reset |
| Navigate → Rows | Expand All · Collapse All · Expand Selected* · Collapse Selected* |
| Quick Filters | 3D |
| Reports / Integrations | Excel · Export Excel · Import Excel |
| Layouts | TreeGrid · 2 Columns (TreeGrid + 3D) · 3D View |
* Expand/Collapse Selected may be disabled in the current config.
Viewer toolbar / panels
Orbit/Walk · Orthographic/Perspective · Fit to View · Home · Zoom · Isolate/Hide Selected · Show All · Clear Selection · Zoom to Selection · Wireframe · Section Tools / Planes / Box · Measurements · Viewpoints · Markers · Markup · Model Tree · Properties · Minimap · Google 3D Tiles · AI Render · Viewer Settings.
Properties tabs: Properties · Location · Classification · Relations · Admin · Materials.
Sections: Instance · Type · Element Properties.
How to use
- Model Explorer → Explorer, or open from the CDE (View 3D / federate).
- Select Group → Calculate.
- Choose layout (e.g. 2 Columns); Highlight/Isolate; open Properties.
- Optional: ribbon New Topic.
Links
Tips / common errors
- “Select a view and group to load data” → configure before Calculate.
- Topic viewpoint fails → active models / Model ID remaps.
- “Needs recalculation” → Calculate.
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