Model Finder

Search, filter, and browse examples, models, and projects

Since R2023b

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Description

Use the Model Finder user interface (UI) to search, filter, and browse examples, models, and projects across multiple databases.

You can enter a search query in the Model Finder UI to search examples, models, and projects in various databases. By default, Model Finder searches the MathWorks® Examples database. You can also create new databases or import any existing databases into Model Finder. These databases store textual information related to the models, such as names, paths, descriptions, annotations, block details, and referenced files. Indexing model information yields better search results, quicker access to relevant information, and improved organization of model data within the databases.

By using the Model Finder UI, you can:

  • Search — Use a search string to find examples, models, and projects.

  • Configure databases — Create, import, and select databases to search.

  • Filter — Narrow down the search results based on MathWorks product names, model locations, and example components.

  • Browse — Navigate the search results and view their descriptions.

Model Finder User Interface

Open the Model Finder

Open the Model Finder UI in one of these ways:

  • Simulink® Toolstrip — In the Modeling tab, in the Evaluate & Manage section, click the down arrow next to Find and then select Model Finder.

  • Simulink Start Page — In the Learn menu, click Model Finder.

  • MATLAB® Command Window — Enter modelfinderui.

Examples

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Search the MathWorks Examples database to find models, examples, and projects related to automatic vehicles and narrow the search results using filters.

  1. Open the Model Finder UI. By default, MathWorks Examples is set as the search database.

  2. Enter the search term automatic vehicle in the search box.

    The default search results layout is the Models view. In this view, the search results display the models that match the search term in the names, paths, descriptions, annotations, and blocks of models indexed in the search database. To view the examples and projects that match your search, in the View section of the toolstrip, click Categorized.

  3. To narrow the search results, go to the Example Component section in the Filters pane and select Simulink Automotive Examples. To quickly navigate to this filter option, enter Simulink Automotive in the search box in the Filters pane.

  4. Scroll through the search results in the center pane of the Model Finder UI.

  5. Click a search result to view its description and additional details such as required licenses, examples and projects using the model, block statistics, and referenced files in the Information pane.

  6. To open a search result, click a suitable button: Open Model, Open Example, or Open Project.

Create a new database and store model-related data in this database.

  1. Open the Model Finder UI.

  2. In the Database tab, click Create Database. A dialog box opens.

  3. To create the database in the current path, enter the database name in the Database Name text box. Optionally, you can specify the database path in the Database Path text box to create the database in another location.

  4. Click Create. A new database is created. You can now store model-related information in this database.

  5. In the Databases pane, select the newly created database and then click View Folders.

  6. In the View Folders window, click Register Folder and select a folder to add. This stores the textual data of the models and projects located in the folder in the selected database.

You can use the new database to:

  • Register more folders to store model and project related data.

  • Share database with team members.

  • Search the database.

Parameters

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Customize the Model Finder UI layout by using buttons to toggle the visibility of the Recent, Databases, Filters, and Information panes.

Customize the search results layout using these options:

  • Models — Select this view to display the models that match your search query. The search results include independent models and models that are referenced by examples and projects. To view the list of examples and projects that use a specific model, use the Information pane.

  • Categorized — Select this view to display the examples, projects, and independent models that match your search query. To view the list of models used in a specific example or project, use the Information pane.

Select the databases from the available list of databases registered with Model Finder to set the search scope. To add more databases in the list, see Create New Database and Store Model Information.

To search the selected databases, enter your search terms. Model Finder supports keyword-based searches and natural language queries to find examples, models, and projects that match your search terms. You can use quotation marks for searching phrases to get more targeted results. Searches are case-insensitive and disregard special characters.

Display the examples, models, and projects matching the search query. For each match, the Model Finder UI displays a summary with the name of the example, model, or project; a short description; the matched search terms highlighted in yellow; path on your system that stores a previously opened search result using the Model Finder; a button to open the example, model, or project; and a button to copy the command that opens a specific search result.

View diagnostic messages generated by Model Finder for various Model Finder operations, such as searching, opening models, registering folders, or creating and managing databases.

Displays names of recently opened models or projects. To open any of these recent search results, click the name of the model or project you want to open.

Use filters to narrow down your search results in Model Finder. Depending on the search results, you may see some or all of these filters displayed in the Model Finder UI. You can select specific filters or clear them by clicking Reset.

FilterDescription
MatchLocations of the textual information of models that match the search terms. This includes the model name, example name, model path, description, annotation, block names, component, and block type.
ProductNames of the MathWorks products used by the examples, models, or projects.
Location

Path on your system that stores a previously opened search result using Model Finder.

Search boxEnter keywords to narrow down the available filters. As you type, the Filters pane dynamically displays only those filters that match your entered keywords.

Additional information of the selected search result:

Information Description
DescriptionDescription of model or example as given in the model or example files.
Recommended LicensesDisplay the toolbox licenses recommended to simulate a MathWorks model, example, or project. The icons Green tick and Warning symbol indicate whether you have the license. For details on toolboxes and how to install them using the Add-On Explorer, click on a license name. For more information, see Get and Manage Add-Ons.
Examples and Projects using the Model or Models used in the ExampleDisplay examples and projects that use a specific model when the View is set as Models and display the models used in a specific example or project when the View is set as Categorized.
Total BlocksType and number of blocks.
File ReferencesDisplay the external files that are referenced in the search result.

Version History

Introduced in R2023b

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See Also

Functions

Topics