Search for files, folders, and markups in Studio Projects

Applies to:

  • Revu 21
  • Bluebeam on the web

The Studio Projects search feature helps you find what you need quickly across your entire Project . You can use keywords or natural language to get results. This article shows you how to make the most of search, especially if you're new to natural language queries.

Get started with basic keyword search

If you're familiar with traditional search methods, use keywords and symbols as you would in a web search engine.

  1. Open your Project in Revu or Bluebeam on the web.
  2. Enter your search term in the search box.
  3. Use the available filters (Type, Folder, Created Date, or Modified Date) to narrow your results.
  4. Select a result to open the file or jump to the markup location.

Common symbols you can use:

  • + before a word means it's required (for example: +electrical mechanical finds files that must contain "electrical" and may contain "mechanical")
  • - before a word excludes it (for example: architectural -landscape finds architectural files without landscape)
  • " " around a phrase searches for that exact text (for example: "site plan" finds that specific phrase)
  • * matches any text (for example: A-1*.pdf finds all filenames starting with A-1)
  • ? matches any single character or number (for example: A-10?.pdf finds A-100.pdf, A-101.pdf, A-10a, etc.)

Use natural language to search like you talk

Natural language search lets you enter complete sentences instead of keywords, which is helpful when you want to combine search terms with filters or ask specific questions about your Project.

  1. Open your Project.
  2. Enter a complete sentence describing what you're looking for.
  3. Review the results and refine your query if needed.

Try these phrases:

  • Find all drawings in the Arch folder modified in the last month
  • Show me markups created by [author name] that haven't been accepted
  • Locate electrical plans updated this week
  • Get all PDFs with comments about doors
  • Find files in the Structural folder larger than 5MB

You can use different action words like "find," "show me," "locate," or "get." The search understands them all.

Search for specific types of content

Search across everything in your Project. Here are some examples of what you can search for and how to be specific.

Files and folders

To find files by name, try these keywords:

  • A-100.pdf (finds that specific file)
  • "A 1??.pdf" (finds files A-100 through A-199)
  • *.pdf (finds all PDF files)

To search within a specific folder, you have two options:

  • Use the Folder filter.
  • Use natural language: files in the Plumbing folder.

PDF content

To find text within documents, enter the text you're looking for: conference room. To search for the exact phrase, wrap the search terms in double quotes.

For exact phrases that contain a double quote—such as a measurement in inches—add an additional double quote after the inches: "12'-4 3/4""". This search phrase finds measurements that contain 12 feet, 4 and 3/4 inches.

Markups

To find markups by content, try these search phrases:

  • markups about stairwell clearance
  • comments containing RFI

To filter markups by author or status, try these search phrases:

  • markups created by [author name]
  • markups with a status set to accepted

To jump to a markup, select a markup from your search results. The document opens with that markup selected in both the Markups List and on the page.

Combine multiple search terms

Search for several things at once to cast a wider net or be more specific.

Here are a few examples of combining multiple search terms::

  • electrical mechanical (finds files containing either word)
  • +room conference electrical (finds files that must contain "room" and may contain "conference" or "electrical")

To exclude unwanted results, use the - symbol: HVAC -duct (finds HVAC files without mentions of duct)

To search related terms, include them: RFI "request for info*" +stair "level 01". This example finds RFI-related content about stairs on level 01 while accounting for different terminology.

Best practices for better results

Start simple, then refine

Begin with broad terms, then add filters or more specific language. If you get too many results, add a required term with + or use the folder filter.

Use quotes for phrases

Searching site plan finds files with either word. Searching "site plan" finds that exact phrase together.

Be specific about file types

If you know the file name pattern, use it: "A 1??.pdf" instead of just architectural.

Try different words

If you don't find what you need, try synonyms: xref "external reference" "attached drawing"

Combine search methods

Use keywords plus filters for precise results. Use natural language when you want to describe what you're looking for in your own words.

Troubleshooting search issues

If you don't get the results you expect, here are some suggestions:

No results found

  • Check your spelling.
  • Try broader search terms.
  • Remove filters and search again.
  • Try synonyms or different phrasing.

Too many results

  • Add filters to narrow down by folder, date, or type.
  • Use + before required terms.
  • Use exact phrases in quotes.

Can't find a specific file

  • Make sure the file exists in your Studio Project.
  • Check that you have permission to view it.
  • Try searching for just part of the file name.

Markup doesn't appear when selected

  • The markup may have been deleted since you searched.
  • Refresh your results and try again.

How-To

Revu 21

Studio

Projects

Bluebeam on the web

The search in Studio Projects helps you find what you need quickly across your entire Project. You can use keywords or natural language to get results.