Add prop search to fields with a lot of enumerated values (#2253)

* Add prop_search layout function

* Display props operator

* display search for pset

* Display search for root

* Update operator and UI layout function

* Add search buttons to brick, geometry, patch, project, pset, pset_template, root and unit modules enums

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/brick/prop.py

@@ -69,3 +69,9 @@ class BIMBrickProperties(PropertyGroup):
     libraries: EnumProperty(name="Libraries", items=get_libraries)
     namespace: EnumProperty(name="Namespace", items=get_namespaces)
     brick_equipment_class: EnumProperty(name="Brick Equipment Class", items=get_brick_equipment_classes)
+    
+    getter_enum = {
+        "libraries": get_libraries,
+        "namespace": get_namespaces,
+        "brick_equipment_class": get_brick_equipment_classes,
+    }

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/brick/ui.py

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 import blenderbim.tool as tool
 from bpy.types import Panel, UIList
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from blenderbim.bim.module.brick.data import BrickschemaData, BrickschemaReferencesData
 
 
@@ -48,7 +49,8 @@ class BIM_PT_brickschema(Panel):
         row.operator("bim.close_brick_project", text="", icon="CANCEL")
 
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(self.props, "namespace", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, self.props, "namespace", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, self.props, "brick_equipment_class", text="")
         row.prop(self.props, "brick_equipment_class", text="")
         row.operator("bim.add_brick", text="", icon="ADD")
 
@@ -101,7 +103,7 @@ class BIM_PT_ifc_brickschema_references(Panel):
             return
 
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(self.props, "libraries")
+        prop_with_search(row, self.props, "libraries")
         row.operator("bim.convert_brick_project", text="", icon="ADD")
 
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/geometry/ui.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 import bpy
 from bpy.types import Panel
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from blenderbim.bim.module.geometry.data import RepresentationsData, DerivedPlacementsData
 
 
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ class BIM_PT_representations(Panel):
             layout.label(text="No representations found")
 
         row = layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(context.scene.BIMRootProperties, "contexts", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, context.scene.BIMRootProperties, "contexts", text="")
         row.operator("bim.add_representation", icon="ADD", text="")
 
         for representation in RepresentationsData.data["representations"]:

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/patch/prop.py

@@ -66,3 +66,7 @@ class BIMPatchProperties(PropertyGroup):
     ifc_patch_output: StringProperty(default="", name="IFC Patch Output IFC")
     ifc_patch_args: StringProperty(default="", name="Arguments")
     ifc_patch_args_attr: CollectionProperty(type=Attribute, name="Arguments")
+
+    getter_enum = {
+        "ifc_patch_recipes": get_ifcpatch_recipes,
+    }

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/patch/ui.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with BlenderBIM Add-on.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 import bpy
 from blenderbim.bim.helper import draw_attributes
 
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ class BIM_PT_patch(bpy.types.Panel):
         scene = context.scene
         props = scene.BIMPatchProperties
         row = layout.row()
-        row.prop(props, "ifc_patch_recipes")
+        prop_with_search(row, props, "ifc_patch_recipes")
 
         row = layout.row(align=True)
         row.prop(props, "ifc_patch_input")

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/project/prop.py

@@ -167,3 +167,28 @@ class BIMProjectProperties(PropertyGroup):
 
     def get_library_element_index(self, lib_element):
         return next((i for i in range(len(self.library_elements)) if self.library_elements[i] == lib_element))
+
+    getter_enum = {
+        "collection_mode": lambda self, context: [
+            ("DECOMPOSITION", "Decomposition", "Collections represent aggregates and spatial containers"),
+            ("SPATIAL_DECOMPOSITION", "Spatial Decomposition", "Collections represent spatial containers"),
+            ("IFC_CLASS", "IFC Class", "Collections represent IFC class"),
+            ("NONE", "None", "No collections are created"),
+        ],
+        "filter_mode": lambda self, context: [
+            ("NONE", "None", "No filtering is performed"),
+            ("DECOMPOSITION", "Decomposition", "Filter objects by decomposition"),
+            ("IFC_CLASS", "IFC Class", "Filter objects by class"),
+            ("IFC_TYPE", "IFC Type", "Filter objects by type"),
+            ("WHITELIST", "Whitelist", "Filter objects using a custom whitelist query"),
+            ("BLACKLIST", "Blacklist", "Filter objects using a custom blacklist query"),
+        ],
+        "merge_mode": lambda self, context: [
+            ("NONE", "None", "No objects are merged"),
+            ("IFC_CLASS", "IFC Class", "One object per IFC class"),
+            ("IFC_TYPE", "IFC Type", "One object per IFC construction type"),
+            ("MATERIAL", "Material", "One object per material"),
+        ],
+        "export_schema": get_export_schema,
+        "template_file": get_template_file,
+    }

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/project/ui.py

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 # along with BlenderBIM Add-on.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 import os
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from bpy.types import Panel, UIList
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
 from blenderbim.bim.module.project.data import ProjectData
@@ -48,10 +49,8 @@ class BIM_PT_project(Panel):
 
     def draw_load_ui(self, context):
         pprops = context.scene.BIMProjectProperties
-        row = self.layout.row()
+        prop_with_search(self.layout, pprops, "collection_mode")
-        row.prop(pprops, "collection_mode")
+        prop_with_search(self.layout, pprops, "filter_mode")
-        row = self.layout.row()
-        row.prop(pprops, "filter_mode")
         if pprops.filter_mode in ["DECOMPOSITION", "IFC_CLASS", "IFC_TYPE"]:
             row = self.layout.row(align=True)
             row.label(text=f"Total: {pprops.total_elements}")
@@ -84,8 +83,7 @@ class BIM_PT_project(Panel):
         row = self.layout.row()
         row.prop(pprops, "is_coordinating")
         if pprops.is_coordinating:
-            row = self.layout.row()
+            prop_with_search(self.layout, pprops, "merge_mode")
-            row.prop(pprops, "merge_mode")
         row = self.layout.row()
         row.prop(pprops, "deflection_tolerance")
         row = self.layout.row()
@@ -170,8 +168,7 @@ class BIM_PT_project(Panel):
     def draw_create_project_ui(self, context):
         props = context.scene.BIMProperties
         pprops = context.scene.BIMProjectProperties
-        row = self.layout.row()
+        prop_with_search(self.layout, pprops, "export_schema")
-        row.prop(pprops, "export_schema")
         row = self.layout.row()
         row.prop(context.scene.unit_settings, "system")
         row = self.layout.row()
@@ -180,8 +177,7 @@ class BIM_PT_project(Panel):
         row.prop(props, "area_unit", text="Area Unit")
         row = self.layout.row()
         row.prop(props, "volume_unit", text="Volume Unit")
-        row = self.layout.row()
+        prop_with_search(self.layout, pprops, "template_file", text="Template")
-        row.prop(pprops, "template_file", text="Template")
 
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)
         row.operator("bim.create_project")

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/pset/prop.py

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 import bpy
 import blenderbim.bim.schema
-from blenderbim.bim.prop import Attribute
+from blenderbim.bim.prop import Attribute, StrProperty
 import ifcopenshell
 from ifcopenshell.api.pset.data import Data
 from blenderbim.bim.module.pset.data import AddEditCustomPropertiesData
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def purge():
     qtonames = {}
 
 
-def getPsetNames(self, context):
+def get_pset_names(self, context):
     global psetnames
     obj = context.active_object
     if not obj.BIMObjectProperties.ifc_definition_id:
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ def getWorkSchedulePsetNames(self, context):
     return psetnames[ifc_class]
 
 
-def getQtoNames(self, context):
+def get_qto_names(self, context):
     global qtonames
     if "/" in context.active_object.name:
         ifc_class = context.active_object.name.split("/")[0]
@@ -145,22 +145,27 @@ class EnumerationValues(PropertyGroup):
     int_value: IntProperty(name="Value")
     float_value: FloatProperty(name="Value")
     is_selected: BoolProperty(default=False)
-    
+
-    
+
 class IfcSimpleProperty(Attribute):
-    #bounded_values:
+    # bounded_values:
     enumerated_values: CollectionProperty(type=EnumerationValues)
-    #list_values:
+    # list_values:
-    #reference_values:
+    # reference_values:
-    #table_values:    
+    # table_values:
-                
+
-                
+
 class PsetProperties(PropertyGroup):
     active_pset_id: IntProperty(name="Active Pset ID")
     active_pset_name: StringProperty(name="Pset Name")
     properties: CollectionProperty(name="Properties", type=IfcSimpleProperty)
-    pset_name: EnumProperty(items=getPsetNames, name="Pset Name")
+    pset_name: EnumProperty(items=get_pset_names, name="Pset Name")
-    qto_name: EnumProperty(items=getQtoNames, name="Qto Name")
+    qto_name: EnumProperty(items=get_qto_names, name="Qto Name")
+
+    getter_enum = {
+        "qto_name": get_qto_names,
+        "pset_name": get_pset_names,
+    }
 
 
 class MaterialPsetProperties(PropertyGroup):
@@ -215,13 +220,21 @@ class AddEditProperties(PropertyGroup):
     primary_measure_type: EnumProperty(items=get_primary_measure_type, name="Primary Measure Type")
     template_type: EnumProperty(
         items=[
-            ("IfcPropertySingleValue","IfcPropertySingleValue","IfcPropertySingleValue"),
+            ("IfcPropertySingleValue", "IfcPropertySingleValue", "IfcPropertySingleValue"),
-            ("IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue","IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue","IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue")
+            ("IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue", "IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue", "IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue"),
         ],
-        name="Template Type"
+        name="Template Type",
     )
     enum_values: CollectionProperty(name="Enum Values", type=EnumerationValues)
 
+    getter_enum = {
+        "primary_measure_type": get_primary_measure_type,
+        "template_type": lambda self, context: [
+            ("IfcPropertySingleValue", "IfcPropertySingleValue", "IfcPropertySingleValue"),
+            ("IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue", "IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue", "IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue"),
+        ],
+    }
+
     def get_value_name(self):
         ifc_data_type = IfcStore.get_schema().declaration_by_name(self.primary_measure_type)
         data_type = ifcopenshell.util.attribute.get_primitive_type(ifc_data_type)

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/pset/ui.py

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 from bpy.types import Panel
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from blenderbim.bim.helper import draw_attribute
 from blenderbim.bim.module.pset.data import (
     ObjectPsetsData,
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ class BIM_PT_object_psets(Panel):
 
         props = context.active_object.PsetProperties
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(props, "pset_name", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, props, "pset_name", text="")
         op = row.operator("bim.add_pset", icon="ADD", text="")
         op.obj = context.active_object.name
         op.obj_type = "Object"
@@ -177,7 +178,7 @@ class BIM_PT_object_qtos(Panel):
 
         props = context.active_object.PsetProperties
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(props, "qto_name", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, props, "qto_name", text="")
         op = row.operator("bim.add_qto", icon="ADD", text="")
         op.obj = context.active_object.name
         op.obj_type = "Object"
@@ -450,12 +451,12 @@ class BIM_PT_add_edit_custom_properties(Panel):
                 row.prop(prop, "property_name", text="")
                 if prop.template_type == "IfcPropertySingleValue":
                     row.prop(prop, prop.get_value_name(), text="")
-                row.prop(prop, "primary_measure_type", text="")
+                prop_with_search(row, prop, "primary_measure_type", text="")
-                row.prop(prop, "template_type", text="")
+                prop_with_search(row, prop, "template_type", text="")
                 op = row.operator("bim.remove_property_to_edit", icon="X", text="")
                 op.index = index
                 op.option = "AddEditProperties"
-            
+
                 if prop.template_type == "IfcPropertyEnumeratedValue":
                     op = row.operator("bim.add_property_to_edit", icon="ADD", text="Add Enum")
                     op.option = "AddEditProperties"
@@ -494,7 +495,7 @@ class BIM_PT_delete_psets(Panel):
         row = layout.row()
         op = row.operator("bim.add_property_to_edit", icon="ADD")
         op.option = "DeletePsets"
-        
+
         if props:
             for index, prop in enumerate(props):
                 row = layout.row(align=True)

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/pset_template/prop.py

@@ -152,6 +152,10 @@ class PropTemplate(PropertyGroup):
     description: StringProperty(name="Description")
     primary_measure_type: EnumProperty(items=get_primary_measure_type, name="Primary Measure Type")
 
+    getter_enum = {
+        "primary_measure_type": get_primary_measure_type,
+    }
+
 
 class BIMPsetTemplateProperties(PropertyGroup):
     pset_template_files: EnumProperty(
@@ -162,3 +166,8 @@ class BIMPsetTemplateProperties(PropertyGroup):
     active_prop_template_id: IntProperty(name="Active Prop Template Id")
     active_pset_template: PointerProperty(type=PsetTemplate)
     active_prop_template: PointerProperty(type=PropTemplate)
+
+    getter_enum = {
+        "pset_template_files": getPsetTemplateFiles,
+        "pset_templates": getPsetTemplates,
+    }

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/pset_template/ui.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 import bpy
 from bpy.types import Panel
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from blenderbim.bim.module.pset_template.prop import (
     getPsetTemplates,
 )
@@ -39,13 +40,13 @@ class BIM_PT_pset_template(Panel):
         props = context.scene.BIMPsetTemplateProperties
 
         row = layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(props, "pset_template_files", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, props, "pset_template_files", text="")
         row.operator("bim.save_pset_template_file", text="", icon="EXPORT")
 
         row = layout.row(align=True)
 
         if bool(getPsetTemplates(props, context)):
-            row.prop(props, "pset_templates", text="", icon="COPY_ID")
+            prop_with_search(row, props, "pset_templates", text="", icon="COPY_ID")
         else:
             row.label(text="No Pset Templates", icon="COPY_ID")
 
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ class BIM_PT_pset_template(Panel):
             if props.active_prop_template_id and props.active_prop_template_id == prop_template_id:
                 row.prop(props.active_prop_template, "name", text="")
                 row.prop(props.active_prop_template, "description", text="")
-                row.prop(props.active_prop_template, "primary_measure_type", text="")
+                prop_with_search(row, props.active_prop_template, "primary_measure_type", text="")
             else:
                 row.label(text=prop_template["Name"])
                 row.label(text=prop_template["Description"])

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/root/__init__.py

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ classes = (
     operator.EnableReassignClass,
     operator.ReassignClass,
     operator.UnlinkObject,
-    operator.BIM_OT_root_property_textfield,
+    operator.BIM_OT_enum_property_search,
     prop.BIMRootProperties,
     ui.BIM_PT_class,
 )

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/root/operator.py

@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ import blenderbim.core.root as core
 import blenderbim.tool as tool
 from ifcopenshell.api.void.data import Data as VoidData
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
-from blenderbim.bim.module.root.prop import get_contexts, get_ifc_classes_filtered
+from blenderbim.bim.module.root.prop import get_contexts
+from blenderbim.bim.prop import StrProperty
 
 
 class Operator:
@@ -191,22 +192,25 @@ class CopyClass(bpy.types.Operator, Operator):
         blenderbim.bim.handler.purge_module_data()
 
 
-class BIM_OT_root_property_textfield(bpy.types.Operator):
+class BIM_OT_enum_property_search(bpy.types.Operator):
-    bl_idname = "bim.root_ifc_class_filter"
+    bl_idname = "bim.enum_property_search"
-    bl_label = "Filter Property"
+    bl_label = "Search For Property"
     bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
+    prop_name: bpy.props.StringProperty()
+    collection: bpy.props.CollectionProperty(type=StrProperty)
 
     def invoke(self, context, event):
+        self.data = context.data
+        getter = self.data.getter_enum.get(self.prop_name, None)
+        if getter is None:
+            return {"FINISHED"}
+        self.collection.clear()
+        for item in getter(self.data, context):
+            self.collection.add().name = item[0]
         return context.window_manager.invoke_props_dialog(self)
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        context.scene.BIMRootProperties.ifc_class = context.scene.BIMRootProperties.ifc_class_filter_enum
         return {"FINISHED"}
 
     def draw(self, context):
-        props = context.scene.BIMRootProperties
+        self.layout.prop_search(self.data, self.prop_name, self, "collection")
-        self.layout.prop(props, "ifc_class_filter_textfield")
-        if len(get_ifc_classes_filtered(props, context)) > 10:
-            self.layout.prop(props, "ifc_class_filter_enum")
-        else:
-            self.layout.props_enum(props, "ifc_class_filter_enum")

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/root/prop.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import ifcopenshell
 import ifcopenshell.util.schema
 from blenderbim.bim.module.root.data import IfcClassData
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
+from blenderbim.bim.prop import StrProperty
 from bpy.types import PropertyGroup
 from bpy.props import (
     PointerProperty,
@@ -88,15 +89,6 @@ def get_ifc_classes(self, context):
     return IfcClassData.data["ifc_classes"]
 
 
-def get_ifc_classes_filtered(self, context):
-    ifc_classes = get_ifc_classes(self, context)
-    global classes_enum
-    classes_enum = [
-        c for c in ifc_classes
-        if self.ifc_class_filter_textfield.lower() in c[0].lower()] or ifc_classes
-    return classes_enum
-
-
 def get_contexts(self, context):
     if not IfcClassData.is_loaded:
         IfcClassData.load()
@@ -107,7 +99,12 @@ class BIMRootProperties(PropertyGroup):
     contexts: EnumProperty(items=get_contexts, name="Contexts")
     ifc_product: EnumProperty(items=get_ifc_products, name="Products", update=refresh_classes)
     ifc_class: EnumProperty(items=get_ifc_classes, name="Class", update=refreshPredefinedTypes)
-    ifc_class_filter_textfield: StringProperty(name="Filter", options={"TEXTEDIT_UPDATE"})
-    ifc_class_filter_enum: EnumProperty(items=get_ifc_classes_filtered, name="Class", update=update_class_enum)
     ifc_predefined_type: EnumProperty(items=getIfcPredefinedTypes, name="Predefined Type", default=None)
     ifc_userdefined_type: StringProperty(name="Userdefined Type")
+
+    getter_enum = {
+        "contexts": get_contexts,
+        "ifc_product": get_ifc_products,
+        "ifc_class": get_ifc_classes,
+        "ifc_predefined_type": getIfcPredefinedTypes,
+    }

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/root/ui.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import bpy
 import blenderbim.bim.module.root.prop as root_prop
 from bpy.types import Panel
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from blenderbim.bim.module.root.data import IfcClassData
 
 
@@ -76,18 +77,14 @@ class BIM_PT_class(Panel):
 
     def draw_class_dropdowns(self, context, ifc_predefined_types, is_reassigning_class=False):
         props = context.scene.BIMRootProperties
+        layout = self.layout
         if not is_reassigning_class:
-            row = self.layout.row()
+            prop_with_search(layout, props, "ifc_product")
-            row.prop(props, "ifc_product")
+        prop_with_search(layout, props, "ifc_class")
-        row = self.layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(props, "ifc_class")
-        row.operator("bim.root_ifc_class_filter", text="", icon="VIEWZOOM")
         if ifc_predefined_types:
-            row = self.layout.row()
+            prop_with_search(layout, props, "ifc_predefined_type")
-            row.prop(props, "ifc_predefined_type")
+            if props.ifc_predefined_type == "USERDEFINED":
-        if ifc_predefined_types == "USERDEFINED":
+                row = layout.row()
-            row = self.layout.row()
+                row.prop(props, "ifc_userdefined_type")
-            row.prop(props, "ifc_userdefined_type")
         if not is_reassigning_class:
-            row = self.layout.row()
+            prop_with_search(layout, props, "contexts")
-            row.prop(context.scene.BIMRootProperties, "contexts")

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/unit/prop.py

@@ -68,3 +68,9 @@ class BIMUnitProperties(PropertyGroup):
     conversion_unit_types: EnumProperty(items=get_conversion_unit_types, name="Conversion Unit Types")
     named_unit_types: EnumProperty(items=get_named_unit_types, name="Named Unit Types")
     unit_attributes: CollectionProperty(name="Unit Attributes", type=Attribute)
+
+    getter_enum = {
+        "unit_classes": get_unit_classes,
+        "conversion_unit_types": get_conversion_unit_types,
+        "named_unit_types": get_named_unit_types,
+    }

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/unit/ui.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 import blenderbim.bim.helper
 from bpy.types import Panel, UIList
 from blenderbim.bim.ifc import IfcStore
+from blenderbim.bim.ui import prop_with_search
 from blenderbim.bim.module.unit.data import UnitsData
 
 
@@ -53,22 +54,22 @@ class BIM_PT_units(Panel):
             return
 
         row = self.layout.row(align=True)
-        row.prop(self.props, "unit_classes", text="")
+        prop_with_search(row, self.props, "unit_classes", text="")
 
         if self.props.unit_classes == "IfcMonetaryUnit":
             row.operator("bim.add_monetary_unit", text="", icon="ADD")
         elif self.props.unit_classes in ("IfcConversionBasedUnit", "IfcConversionBasedUnitWithOffset"):
-            row.prop(self.props, "conversion_unit_types", text="")
+            prop_with_search(row, self.props, "conversion_unit_types", text="")
             op = row.operator("bim.add_conversion_based_unit", text="", icon="ADD")
             op.name = self.props.conversion_unit_types
         elif self.props.unit_classes == "IfcDerivedUnit":
             pass  # TODO
         elif self.props.unit_classes == "IfcSIUnit":
-            row.prop(self.props, "named_unit_types", text="")
+            prop_with_search(row, self.props, "named_unit_types", text="")
             op = row.operator("bim.add_si_unit", text="", icon="ADD")
             op.unit_type = self.props.named_unit_types
         elif self.props.unit_classes == "IfcContextDependentUnit":
-            row.prop(self.props, "named_unit_types", text="")
+            prop_with_search(row, self.props, "named_unit_types", text="")
             op = row.operator("bim.add_context_dependent_unit", text="", icon="ADD")
             op.name = "THINGAMAJIG"
             op.unit_type = self.props.named_unit_types

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/ui.py

@@ -170,6 +170,15 @@ class BIM_ADDON_preferences(bpy.types.AddonPreferences):
         row.operator("bim.configure_visibility")
 
 
+def prop_with_search(layout, data, prop_name, **kwargs):  # Kwargs are layout.prop arguments (text, icon, etc.)
+    row = layout.row(align=True)
+    # Magick courtesy of https://blender.stackexchange.com/a/203443/86891
+    row.context_pointer_set(name="data", data=data)
+    row.prop(data, prop_name, **kwargs)
+    op = row.operator("bim.enum_property_search", text="", icon="VIEWZOOM")
+    op.prop_name = prop_name
+
+
 def ifc_units(self, context):
     scene = context.scene
     props = scene.BIMProperties