Data Management Capabilities > Managing Part Structures > Configurations and Instances Overview > Part Configurations > Comparing Part Configurations
  
Comparing Part Configurations
Compare allows users to dynamically view and compare any two part configurations side by side.
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The information in this help topic is specific to the comparison of two part configuration structures. For more information on the general use of the structure compare window, see Comparing Structures.
Launch Points
The part configuration Compare action is found in the following locations:
• The part configuration information page – Select Compare from the Actions menu or click on the Compare icon in the tools action set on the Structure tab actions toolbar.
• Search results table – Select a part configuration from the Search Results table and select Compare from the right-click menu.
• Updates table – Select a part configuration from the Updates table and select Compare from the right-click menu.
Setup Window
Launching a part configuration structure compare from any of the launch points displays the Compare to Part Configuration Structure setup window. The setup window displays the part configuration structures to be compared under the Left Side and Right Side headings. The Base Part, Base Part Version, and Part Configuration fields are shown for the part configurations being compared.
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The purpose of the base part compare operation is to compare part structures for two part configurations of the same base part. The comparison reveals the design differences between the two configurations.
Select the desired Base Part Version, and Part Configuration to be compared and click OK to start the comparison.
Compare Window Actions
The following actions are provided in the left and right side tool bars in the Compare to Part Configuration Structure window:
Action
Description
Available On
Reset
Displays the Compare to Part Configuration Structure setup window. Use to select different part configurations and restart the comparison.
Left side
Previous difference
Next difference
Locates the previous or next structure difference in the left and right part configuration structures.
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Uses the currently highlighted part to determine the previous or next difference. Sub assemblies are opened to reveal differences.
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 configuration 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 configuration 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 configuration comparison information:
1. Expand the part configuration 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 Configuration Structure window.
The exported file contains rows for each part in the expanded structure. It also contains the three difference columns shown in the Compare to Part Configuration Structure window with the difference information.
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The table view in the Compare to Part Configuration Structure can be configured to show additional attribute information in table columns.
Left 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
The following table describes the differences that are detected when comparing part configuration structures. The differences are displayed in the columns between the part structures according to the type of difference. Columns are numbered from left to right.
• Column 1 – Child Differences
• Column 2 – Relation Differences
• Column 3 – Attribute Differences
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Hover the cursor over the difference column heading to see the difference category.
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 part 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
Compare Window Tabs
The Compare to Part Structure window shows the following information tabs below the left and right side structure.
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.