Pattern Search: Find a Vehicle

Created by Sunny Hart, Modified on Tue, 3 Mar at 8:43 AM by Sunny Hart

STEK EDGE • Pattern Search

Pattern Search: Find a Vehicle and Open Its Patterns

Find the correct vehicle quickly and open its pattern set in the vehicle container.

Purpose: Find the correct vehicle quickly and open its pattern set in the vehicle container.

Applies to: STEK EDGE — Pattern Search / Vehicle Container

Screens and labels may change slightly as we ship updates.

Why this matters

Problem: Searching patterns can be slow when you’re under time pressure, especially if you start with the wrong filters or pick the wrong vehicle.
What EDGE improves: EDGE supports multiple filter paths (Year/Make/Model/Trim/Region), categories, and quick search, and includes a vehicle image to help confirm the match before opening patterns.
Result: Faster selection of the correct vehicle and fewer “wrong pattern” openings.

What this feature does

What it is: A vehicle-based pattern search flow that leads you from filters and validation to a full pattern list inside the vehicle container.
What it helps you do: Identify the right vehicle, confirm it visually, and access all available patterns for that vehicle using Explore Patterns.
What it does not do (optional): It does not automatically validate your physical vehicle beyond what the selected vehicle data and image show. Always confirm the match.

Video

Video 1 — Pattern Search (Filters → Explore Patterns)

Covers: Using categories, quick search, and filters to find a vehicle and open its patterns.

When to use: Any time you need to locate patterns for a specific vehicle before cutting.

Before you start

You need: Access to STEK EDGE with the pattern library available for your account.
Recommended: Start with Make, then narrow down (Year → Model → Trim → Region) to avoid filtering yourself into a dead end.
Terms used (optional): Quick search = fast search input; Category = installation grouping; Region = market filter; Explore Patterns = opens patterns; Vehicle container = view containing all patterns for the selected vehicle.

How to use it

Workflow

Workflow A — Filter Vehicles (Recommended)

Open Pattern Search
Where: STEK EDGE → Pattern Search
Do: Go to the search area where categories, quick search, and filters are available.
Expected result: You see category options and vehicle filters.
(Optional) Select a category
Where: Category section (ex: PPF exterior, window tint, etc.)
Do: Choose the installation category that matches the job.
Expected result: Results and available options narrow to that category.
Select vehicle filters in a stable order
Where: Filters (Year / Make / Model / Trim / Region)
Do: Select Make first, then continue down the list until the vehicle is uniquely identified.
Expected result: The vehicle selection becomes more specific and the available options remain consistent.
Note (optional): Starting with an overly specific filter (like Trim) may hide valid options.
Confirm using the vehicle image
Where: Vehicle preview area (image)
Do: Compare the on-screen vehicle image with the vehicle in your shop.
Expected result: You confirm you’re selecting the correct vehicle variant.
Open the vehicle’s patterns
Where: Vehicle result → Explore Patterns
Do: Click Explore Patterns.
Expected result: The vehicle container opens with all patterns for that vehicle.

Workflow

Workflow B — Quick search

Use Quick search
Where: Quick search field
Do: Search by the vehicle info you already know (make/model or similar).
Expected result: A shortlist of vehicle matches appears.
Validate and open patterns
Where: Vehicle result → image preview → Explore Patterns
Do: Confirm with the image, then click Explore Patterns.
Expected result: Vehicle container opens with the full pattern list.

Tips

Start broad, then narrow. Make first keeps options visible.
Use the vehicle image as a final check before opening patterns.
If results look wrong, clear the most restrictive filter first (often Region or Trim).

Common mistakes

Selecting Region too early and getting no results → Fix: Clear Region, pick Make/Model first, then reapply Region at the end.
Starting with an overly specific filter (like Trim or year) → Fix: Start with Make and work downward.

Troubleshooting

Issue: No vehicles appear after filtering
Cause: Filters are too restrictive or applied in a way that hides valid options
Fix: Clear the most specific filter(s) first (Trim/Region/Quick Search), then rebuild the selection from Make downward.

Wrap-up

You used Pattern Search to find the correct vehicle, confirmed the match visually, and opened the full pattern set inside the vehicle container. Next, open patterns directly or use the Canvas workflow to combine multiple patterns into one job.