Using 3DFindIT Visual Search Engine

3DFindIT.com is a visual search engine developed by CADENAS which you can use to search a large collection of CAD and BIM models from various manufacturers worldwide.

From the 3DFindIT palette you can access the 3DFindIT.com platform directly from the CAD application to search suitable models and import them into your drawing. You can change the language from the drop-down list with flags situated in the top area of the palette.

Use the 3DFindIT command to display the 3DFindIT palette.

The basic workflow for using models from the platform includes the following steps:

1. Login to 3DFindIT.com.

   From the 3DFindIT palette, click Log in and type your 3DFindIT credentials.

2. Initiate a search to find similar parts necessary for your model.

   • To search for a suitable model, type the component name in the search bar and click .

   • To display all available search methods click .

3. Identify the suitable part from the search result.

   Use the available settings to obtain the necessary views of the selected model.

4. Send the model to your CAD application.

   When you send the model to your CAD application, drawing files of the requested model are automatically generated and you can use them within your drawing.

To display the 3DFindIT palette:

• Do one of the following:

  • On the ribbon, click Insert > Palettes > 3DFindIT.

  • On the menu, click Tools > 3DFindIT.

  • Type 3DFindIT.

To send a view of a part model to the CAD application:

Note: Before starting, make sure you are logged in to your 3DFindIt account.

1. On the 3DFindIT palette, search a suitable model using criteria available in the search bar.

   For example, to find a screw, search the term “screw” using the Text Search option in the search bar.

2. Select a suitable model from the search result.

3. For each model view, specify the necessary settings.

4. Click on Send to ARES .

5. From the Insert Block dialog box select the view to use.

6. Click OK.

   The view appears attached to the mouse cursor.

7. In the graphics area, click a point to place the view.

8. Type the scale value in X axis and press Enter.

9. Type the scale value in Y axis and press Enter.

10. Type the angle value and press Enter.

    The view is inserted in the drawing as an unnamed Block.

Search Methods

The following search tools are available:

Button	Function	Description
	Perform Text search	Search for components with a parametric text search
	Perform Color Search	Search for 3D parts by color
	Perform Function search	Search for 3D parts based on their functionality
	Perform Geometric search	Search 3D models by uploading 3D objects from your computer
	Perform Grid search	Search similar 3D parts based on a specific shape
	Perform Filter search.	Search for 3D parts using filters according to categories such as mechanical or architecture
	Perform Sketch search	Search for 3D parts using a photo or sketch

Access

Command: 3DFindIT

Menu: Tools > 3DFindIT

Ribbon: Insert > Palettes > 3DFindIT

Related Topics

Hiding the 3DFindIT Palette

Working with BIM files