Comparing Part Instances
The part instance compare function allows users to dynamically view and compare any two part instance structures side by side.
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The information in this help topic is specific to the comparison of two part instance structures. For more information on the general use of the structure compare window, see Comparing Structures.
Launch Points
The part instance Compare action is found in the following locations:
The part instance information page – Select Compare from the Actions menu or click the Compare icon in the tools action set on the Structure tab toolbar.
Search results table – Select a part instance from the Search Results table and select Compare from the right-click menu.
Updates table – Select a part instance from the Updates table and select Compare from the right-click menu.
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It is possible to create a part instance without an association to a part configuration. The compare action will not be available for part instances that do not have a part configuration.
Setup Window
Launching a part instance structure compare from any of the launch points displays the Compare to Part Instance Structure setup window. The setup window displays the part instance structures to be compared under the Left Side and Right Side headings. The Base Part, Number, and Name fields are shown for the part instances being compared.
The following table describes the information and functions provided in both the left and right sides of the Compare to Part Instance Structure setup window:
Item
Description
Base Part
The Base Part field is used to search for or enter the name or number of the base part of a part instance to be compared. Click the Advanced search icon to search for a base part. You can also begin typing the number or name of the base part in the input field, a list of choices matching the entered text will appear.
Number
Display-only field showing the number of the base part for the part instance to be compared.
Name
Display-only field showing the name of the base part for the part instance to be compared.
Part Instance
The Part Instance field is used to select the instance to be compared from a list of available instances associated to the base part.
Lot Number
Display-only field showing the lot number of the part instance being compared. A value is only displayed in this field for part instances identified using a Lot or Lot/Serial Number.
Serial Number
Display-only field showing the Serial Number of the part instance being compared. A value is only displayed in this field for part instances identified using a Serial Number or Lot/Serial Number.
Revision
Select a part instance revision to be compared from the Revision drop-down list.
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An asterisk indicates the revision selected by the part instance filter.
Part Instance Filter
Displays the part instance structure filter that will be used for the comparison. Also provides the ability to change the filter for either part instance prior to the comparison.
The current filter is seen below the Part Instance Filter field label or by hovering your mouse over the current filter icon. Click the current filter icon to see a more detailed description.
Click the Edit Filter icon to modify the structure filter being used for the part instance comparison.
For more information about part instance structure filters, see Filter Action Set - Part Instances.
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The Compare to Part Instance Structure setup window assumes that the most frequent type of comparison to be performed is between part instances of the same base part. Therefore, both left and right sides of the setup window are initially set to the part instance from which the comparison is launched. The next logical step may be to determine the differences between two part instances created from the same base part using the Part Instance field. Alternately, you can see how a single part instance configuration has changed over time using the Revision field to compare the differences between two revisions of the same part instance.
You can also change the base part on the left or right side using the Base Part field to see the differences between part instances made from two similar assembly parts.
Compare Window Actions
The following actions are provided in the left and right side tool bars in the Compare to Part Instance Structure window:
Action
Description
Available On
Reset
Displays the Compare to Part Instance Structure setup window. Use to select different comparison parameters and restart the comparison.
Left side
Previous difference
Next difference
Locates the previous or next difference in the left and right structures.
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The currently highlighted part is used to determine the previous or next difference. Sub assemblies are opened to reveal differences.
No differences are detected in the structures of child part instances.
Left side
Show only differences, Show all
Toggles the display of the compared structures to show only the sibling parts or branches that contain differences. Toggle back to show all parts.
The first time the part instance compare action is used all parts are shown, click to show only differences. Thereafter, the system remembers the last choice made by the user.
Left side
Collapse all levels
Recursively collapses all levels of a selected assembly part and associated objects in both the left and right side part instance structures. You can also collapse all levels of any assembly part by selecting Collapse All Levels in the right-click menu.
Left side
Export list to file
Comparison results can be exported to a file on your desktop using the Export list to file action. Use the following procedure to export part instance comparison information:
1. Expand the part instance structures to display the branches and related information you wish to be included in the exported file.
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The exported file will contain only the part structure branches and comparison information that is displayed.
2. Click the export list to file icon and select a file format from the drop-down menu.
3. You will be prompted by your browser to open or save the exported file. The prompt you receive depends on the browser that you use.
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The name of the exported file is derived from the top part in the left side of the Compare to Part Instance Structure window.
The exported file contains rows for each part in the expanded structure. It also contains the four difference columns shown in the Compare to Part Instance Structure window with the difference information.
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The table view in the Compare to Part Instance Structure can be configured to show additional attribute information in table columns.
Left side
Current Filter
Displays the structure filter currently in use for the part instance. Hover your mouse over the icon or click to see a more detailed description of the filter.
Left and right side
Edit Filter
Click to modify the structure filter being used for the part instance comparison.
For more information about part instance structure filters, see Filter Action Set - Part Instances
Left and right side
Table views
Table views on the left and right sides may configured independently. Click to select a previously defined table view or create a new table view. For more information, see Customizing Table Views.
Left and right side
Compare Window Differences
Differences are displayed using icons in the four columns between the left and right sides of the Compare to Part Instance Structure window. The category of difference determines the column that contains the icon. The categories of differences by column numbered from left to right are:
Column 1 – Child Difference
Column 2 – Relation Differences
Column 3 – Attribute Differences
Column 4 – Part Instance Differences
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Hover the cursor over the difference column heading to see the difference category.
The following differences are detected when comparing part instance structures:
Icon
Description
Category
Child Difference
This icon appears when a difference is detected at any level beneath the assembly. To see the differences, expand the part structure or select the assembly and click Next difference to open the structure and highlight the next object difference.
Child Difference
No Equivalent Object
No equivalent part exists in the opposite (left or right) structure. A blank row is displayed in the structure that does not have the equivalent part.
Relation Difference
View Usage Attribute Differences
The attributes stored on the usage link between the part and parent assembly have changed. Click this icon to view the Usage Attribute Differences window and see more detailed information.
Relation Difference
View attribute differences
The attributes stored on a part or related object that exists in both structures have changed. Click this icon to view the Attribute Differences window containing more detailed information.
Attribute difference
Replacement
This icon indicates that the part has been replaced by an alternate or substitute part.
For more information on replacement parts, see About Replacement Parts.
Attribute Difference
View Part Instance Differences
Attribute differences exist between the corresponding instances in the left and right sides. Click on this icon to see more detailed information.
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Instance differences include cases where an instance has been allocated on one side but not the other, or where the instance filter has returned a version on one side but no version on the other side.
Part Instance Difference
Compare Window Tabs
The Compare to Part Instance Structure window shows the following information tabs below the left and right side structures:
Tab
Description
Attributes
Displays the attributes of the selected part in the product structure. Attribute differences are highlighted.
Usage
Displays attributes that are defined on the relationship between the selected part and its immediate parent assembly. Attribute differences are highlighted.
Part Instance
Displays attributes about the part instance revisions shown in the left and right sides of the Compare to Part Instance Structure window. Attribute differences are highlighted.
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