1.3.8.6.6.  Geometrical search index

Geometrical search index (Geometrical indexes)

The Geometrical search index is required for all search methods except full-text search and variable search.

Search methods in PARTdataManager

Search methods in PARTdataManager

Geometrical search index -> Create/Update

If needed open the index tree at the desired position in order to see the icons:

Meaning of icons:

Geometric search index is outdated:

Disadvantages at an deprecated index are a) less search speed and b) less result quality.

Use the context menu command Geometrical search index -> Create/Update.

Geometric search index available:

You have optimal search speed and result quality.

Geometric search index is missing:

Use the context menu command Geometrical search index -> Create/Update.

When clicking on the context menu command Geometrical search index -> Create/Update, the settings dialog for the geometrical search index opens.

Geometric search index settings Search index, geometricsettings

Geometric search index settings

  • Minimum number of lines to index per table

    • Percentage fraction

      A high percentage value lengthens calculation time for large tables.

      [Note]Note

      Default setting is 100%, because this function is primarily used for own parts catalogs.

      When you create the geometric search index for standard or supplier catalogs, then please change the value to 1 % ! The generation with 100% can take some time depending on catalog.

    • Absolute fraction

      So that for small tables there are enough rows indexed, enter the absolute number.

    Calculation example 1: 10 rows, Percentage fraction: 10, Absolute fraction: 3 -> 3 rows are created

    Calculation example 2: 10 rows, Percentage fraction: 20, Absolute fraction: 1 -> 2 rows are created

    Always the larger of the two values is used. The time for the generation and the amount of storage space needed for the fingerprints on the hard drive is approximately proportional to the number of rows.

  • Geometric fingerprints

    • Update

      If only some new parts have been added and no new parts changed, an Update is sufficient.

      In fingerprints the date of change is saved so that a fingerprint can be overwritten when the project has been changed. In other words it is not necessary to recreate the fingerprints.

    • Create from scratch

      For a CIP installation it is not necessary to create the geometric fingerprints again. These are always available with catalogs delivered by CADENAS.

      Use this command, if you want to index own parts.

    • Always recreate fingerprints for outdated algorithms

      If there are changes concerning an algorithm and this option is activated, then the fingerprints for this algorithm are created anew. If this option is deactivated, then the search works, however possible enhancements are missing.

[Note]Note

Problem: If files cannot be loaded by any reason (e.g. failed mesh reduction or corrupt file), then at next update there will be an anew attempt to generate missing fingerprints.

This may slow down the fingerprint generation considerably.

Solution: Save files with failed fingerprint generation in a CSV file named ignore.csv. These files will excluded from further generation processes as long as the STL date does not change.

The file has to be stored in the geo index directory of catalog.

Example

Example

At least the two columns PROJECT and LINEID have to exist. All other columns are ignored. Fields are separated by semicolon and quoted by double quotes. The PROJECT field must contain the path relative to the catalog root using slashes.

In order to create the respective CSV file do the following:

  1. Call dialog Manage index....

    Manage index...

    Manage index...

  2. Select the tabbed page Geo index.

  3. Open dialog Export Options by clicking on Export and there, activate the option Fingerprints not available.

    Button "Export"

    Button "Export"

    Export Options -> Fingerprints not available

    Export Options -> Fingerprints not available

  4. Confirm with OK.

    -> Independently of the selection in index tree, always the whole catalog is exported.

[Note]Note

For the Partial search the standard creation of the Geometrical search index is not sufficient!

On this see under Section 1.3.8.6.16, “ Geometrical search index for Partial search ”.

[Note]Note

To be able to search for topological measures of length topological measures of length, after a software update you have to update the Geometrical search index (after this the full-text search index).

On this see under Section 1.3.8.6.15, “ Update Full-text search index (and Geometrical search index) for finding topological values via Full-text search ”.

[Note]Note

The function Geometrical search index -> Create/Update is similar to Manage index....

However, here you can only generate on catalog level; there also for subfolders, single projects and even for single lines.

A statistical evaluation is only displayed at Manage index. This however may take a lot of time depending on catalog size.

Especially for own part catalogs the geometrical search index can be generated afterwards. At supplier catalogs the geometrical search index is already pregenerated, however, not with the current software version, which results in functional losses. Also see Section 1.3.8.6.6.1, “Dependencies between software update and update of Geometrical search index ”.