Starting a Part to Part Structure Comparison
The Compare to Part Structure action allows users to view and compare any two part structures side by side. For an overview of the part structure comparison capability and a list of launch points, see Comparing Part Structure to Part Structure.
Use the following procedure to start a part structure comparison:
1. In the Compare to Part Structure window, under the Parts tab, modify the part versions displayed in the Left Side and Right Side if necessary. Make changes using the following fields:
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Field Name
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Description
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Enter Number/Name
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Enter the name or number of a part to take the place of the displayed part in the comparison. Entering a partial name or number will display matching choices beneath the entry field. Click the Advanced search icon  to search for parts by type, name, and number. |
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Version
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Select any part version using the drop-down list. The version satisfying the current filter criteria is marked with an asterisk (*). Reduce the length of the list by highlighting the entry in the Version field and entering part of the desired version identifier. The list is restricted to only those versions matching what has been entered.
Selecting a different version of the top part may display different first level child parts. The versions of the first level child parts, and all parts in levels beneath the first level, is determined by the current filter criteria.
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Structure Filter
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The current filter is shown just below the Structure Filter field. Use the icons to the right of this field to view and change the structure filter. • Click  to view the filters currently in use. Hover your mouse over this icon to see a summary of the filter settings.• Click the Edit Filter icon  to open the Edit Filter and modify the current filters. For more information, see Editing a Structure Filter.• Click the Saved Filters icon  to specify a saved filter, save the existing filter, or manage saved filters. For more information, see Saving and Reusing Structure Filters. |
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Sourcing Contexts
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Select the desired sourcing context from the drop-down menu on the left and right sides or search for the desired sourcing context by clicking on the Find sourcing context icon .
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The part structures that appear on the left and right side of the Compare to Part Structure window depend on the launch point and the filter criteria used.
• When launched from toolbar or right-click menu for a part within in the Structure tab on a part information page, the current filter criteria are used. If no version matching the filter criteria is found you must select a version from the drop down list in the Version field to complete the comparison.
• For all other launch locations the default configuration specification filter is used. (Usually latest version, no specified state, and the structure view of the selected parts.)
If the compare operation is launched from a part information page or the right-click menu for a selected part in a table, then both the left and right sides of the Compare to Part Structure window show the same part version. The same filter criteria are used for both sides. The Compare to Part Structure setup window assumes that the structure on the left or right side will be replaced, or the filter criteria edited, prior to completing the compare operation. Making no changes will result in a comparison between the exact same part structures and will produce no differences. Best practice is to filter or replace the part structure on the right side.
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2. If desired, click the Preferences tab to specify part comparison options. The following table describes the available settings:
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The preferences selected in this step are saved as your default choices for all future part comparisons within and across Windchill sessions.
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Option
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Description
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Select attributes to compare
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Use the drop-down object type menu and checkboxes to select attributes to compare for each object type. Follow this procedure:
a. Choose an object type from the drop-down menu.
b. Select the attributes to compare.
Repeat these two steps for each object type.
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Include related information in compare
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Select Documents to compare documents associated to the parts within the two part structures.
Select Replacement Parts to compare alternate and substitute parts associated to parts in the two structures.
Select CAD Documents to compare CAD documents associated with the parts within the two part structures.
Select AML/AVL to compare manufacturer and vendor parts associated to parts in the two structures.
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3. Click OK to dismiss the setup window and see the results of the structure comparison. For more information, see Interpreting Part to Part Structure Comparison Results.