Creating or Editing Filter Units

After a part filter is created, you need to define one or more filter units. A filter unit is a set of mathematical formulas instructing the system to sort and return the parts useful for a specific design.

Creating or editing a filter unit for a new part filter first consists of setting mathematical formulas applying to a catalog chapter. To set a formula first, specify the part types and the parameters you want to use.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:
  • Make sure the catalogs you need are available from your session.
  • Create or open an empty part filter.
  • Activate the part filter.
See Also
About Part Filters and Filter Units

Create a Filter Unit

You can create a filter unit. A filter unit is a set of mathematical formulas instructing the system to sort and return the parts useful for a specific design.

  1. To create a filter unit in the part filter, click Add Filter Unit .
    The Filter Unit Properties dialog box appears.
  2. In Name, enter the name you want to assign.
  3. In Mode, select the filter unit mode of your choice.
    ModeDescription
    Formula Synchronized Mode Queries the returned parts using the formula each time you use the filter unit.
    Formula Asynchronized Mode When you switch to this mode, freezes the list of returned pars with the list of parts retrieved by the application of the formula.

    To refresh the list of parts, see Synchronizing Filter Units
    Explicit List Mode Lets you edit freely the list of returned parts.

    The list of available parts comes from the datasource that is set for the filter unit.

    Tip: When using the Formula Asynchronized Mode or the Explicit List Mode, the performances are enhanced and the loading is faster.

  4. In Part Types, select one or more part types to be returned and click Next.
  5. In the Filter Unit Datasource dialog box, select the Technology:

    • Catalog
    • Folder
    • Library

  6. Select the chapter, folder, or library of interest and click Next.
    For more information, see Selecting a Catalog Chapter, Selecting a Folder or Selecting a Library depending on the selected technology.
  7. In the Filter Unit Parameters dialog box, select the parameters to be used in the formula and click Next.

    Tip: To remove a parameter, select No Parameter.

  8. Optional: Link the parameters to a technological table column and click Next.
    For more information, see Linking Parameters to Technological Tables.
  9. Create formulas to filter the catalog.
    For more information, see Creating Formulas.
  10. Click Finish to create the filter unit.

Edit a Filter Unit

You can edit an existing filter unit and access each step of editing independently.

  1. Double-click the filter unit that you want to edit.
    The Filter Unit Edition panel appears to let you modify the properties of the filter unit.
  2. Click next to the name of the section that you want to edit.
    SectionAction
    General Lets you edit:
    • The name of your filter unit
    • The mode of your filter unit
    • The part-types to be returned by your filter unit
    Datasource Lets you edit the technology of your filter unit.
    Used Parameters Lets you edit the parameters used by your filter unit.
    Formula Lets you edit the formula of your filter unit.

    Note: During the editing, you can click the following options:
    Option Action
    Previous Takes you to the previous step.
    Next Takes you to the next step.
    Finish End the editing of the filter unit.

Copy/Paste a Filter Unit

You can copy and paste a filter unit in the same parts filter or in another one.

  1. Right-click the filter unit and select Copy in the context menu.

    Tip: You can also press Ctrl + C to copy the filter unit.

  2. Do one of the following:
    • To paste the filter unit in the same part filter, right-click the part filter in the tree and select Paste in the context menu.
    • To paste the filter unit in another part filter, right-click a part filter in the tree and select Paste in the context menu.