Skip to main content

User Flow: Creating and Applying Custom Event Filters

Learn how to build multi-channel logical rules (AND/OR), target specific device types, save and share custom event filters, and dynamically highlight threshold breaches on the 3D map canvas.

Written by Ken Panitz

Overview

Managing dozens or hundreds of IoT devices across a major project requires automated ways to highlight instruments of concern.

Event Filters allow you to construct conditional rules based on sensor telemetry channels (e.g., finding all piezometers reporting water levels above a specific depth, or tiltmeters with low battery levels). Once applied, an event filter dynamically filters the 3D map to highlight only the matching devices, helping teams focus on critical site conditions.

Prerequisites

Before starting this workflow, ensure you have:

  • Authenticated and logged into the SensGrid platform.

  • Loaded a project in the 4D Viewer with active telemetry devices connected.

Workflow Sequence:

  1. Create Filter: Click + Create Filter in the Event Filters panel.

  2. Build Rules: Set target device types and define logical rules (Channel, Operator, Value) in the Selection Inspector.

  3. Save & Share: Toggle Shared if team access is needed and save the filter.

  4. Apply to Map: Click the filter checkbox in the Event Filters list to highlight matching devices on the 3D map.

1. Create a Draft Event Filter

Initialize a new filter definition:

  1. Open the Event Filters panel (filter icon) from the left Work Panel.

  2. Click the + Create Filter button at the top of the panel.

  3. A new draft filter (e.g., "New Filter") will appear in the list and be automatically selected.

2. Build Logical Rules in the Selection Inspector

Configure the filter criteria using the Event Filter Editor:

  1. Observe the Selection Inspector on the right side of the screen, which automatically displays the Event Filter Editor interface for your selected draft.

  2. Set Filter Name: Enter a clear, functional name (e.g., "High Pore Pressure > 120 kPa" or "Low Battery Warning").

  3. Select Target Device Types:

    • Choose which device types this filter applies to (e.g., Piezometers, Inclinometers, or All Types).

  4. Define Channel Conditions:

    • Select a telemetry data channel from the dropdown (e.g., Water Level, Displacement X, Pressure, Voltage).

    • Select a comparison operator: =, >, >=, <, <=, !=.

    • Enter the numeric threshold value (e.g., 120).

  5. Group Conditions with Logical Connectors:

    • Click Add Condition to add secondary criteria.

    • Combine rules using AND (all conditions must be true) or OR (at least one condition must be true).

    • Example: (Water Level > 10m AND Battery < 20%).

3. Save and Share the Filter

Persist the filter configuration to the server:

  1. In the Event Filter Editor:

    • Share with Team: Check the Shared toggle if this filter should be available to all project users. Leave unchecked to keep it Private to your account.

  2. Click Save to store the filter. The draft tag in the Event Filters list will clear, and the filter will be saved to the project.

4. Apply Filters to the 3D Canvas Map

Run the filter query against active site telemetry:

You can apply saved event filters using either of two methods:

  • Method A: Left Work Panel

    1. Open the Event Filters panel from the left Work Panel.

    2. Locate your saved filter and click the checkbox next to its name.

  • Method B: Scene View Controls (Device State Bar)

    1. On the 3D map viewport, locate the Device State Bar floating at the top/bottom of the scene.

    2. Click the Filter Funnel Icon (orange button) to open the quick-select Event Filters popover dropdown.

    3. Search or check the checkboxes for target filters (e.g., Cranes, Excavators, Workers), or click Clear all to reset.

  1. Observe the Device State Bar and 3D map:

    • The Device State Bar updates to show the count of Filtered devices.

    • Devices matching your filter criteria highlight in color on the 3D map.

    • Device labels show a dedicated Filter Icon badge on map labels.

    • Non-matching devices dither (render semi-transparent) or hide depending on your active Device State Bar settings.


​

Summary & Next Steps

  • Key Takeaway: Custom Event Filters enable multi-channel logical queries across device telemetry, dynamically highlighting breaching devices on the 3D map canvas and updating the Device State Bar.

  • Next Steps: See Safety Event Monitoring to configure near real-time safety alert notifications.

Tip: You can capture active Event Filters into a View State. When team members apply that View State, the associated Event Filters will automatically turn on and highlight the target instruments.

Related Articles
Did this answer your question?