Techniques for formulating queries and retrieving relevant results for 3D components in a virtual or augmented reality system. In an aspect, a user works with a 3D component using a workflow, and views the 3D component from one or more selected perspective views. Data associated with the workflow and the selected perspective views are transmitted to an online engine. The online engine may include a query formulation module for automatically forming a query based on the received workflow data and selected perspective views. The formulated query may be supplied to a search engine to retrieve online results based on relevance to the formulated queries. One or more most relevant online results may be seamlessly served to the user as part of the workflow.