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.
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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.
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.
| | 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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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. |
 | 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.
| 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.
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.
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.
| 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
| | 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.
| 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. |