Introduction to Solidworks Compare
SOLIDWORKS Compare Utility is a set of tools that lets you examine in detail the geometry of a solid part, and make comparisons to other parts so you can easily see the differences and similarities.
This is especially helpful when you want to analyze the differences between an original part and a revised version of the same part.
Document Properties:
Compares the properties of two SOLIDWORKS documents (or two configurations of the same document)
Features:
Identifies the differences in solid features, including appearance properties (colors, optics, and textures) between two versions of the same part (or two configurations of the same part). Features are compared by name and type. If features in the two parts have the same name and type, this tool pairs the features and compares their individual parameters. Features are classified into three categories:
Identical features. Same name and type with identical parameter values.
Modified features. Same name and type with different parameter values.
Unique features. Unique name and type.
Geometry:
Compares two parts (or two configurations of the same part) and identifies differences between two versions of the same part. Compare Geometry performs both volume comparison and face comparison. For assemblies, you can compare geometry only in volumes, and for surface models, you can compare geometry only in faces. When you compare volumes, you can display volume common to both versions, and material you can add or remove from either version. Different colors highlight the variations between the reference and modified model in the graphics area.
You can save comparison volumes in the reference document, in the modified document, or in both. You can then use the Intersect tool to merge any combination of the added and removed volumes into the reference or modified model.
When you compare faces, you can display faces common to both versions, faces that have been modified between versions, and faces that are unique to the versions. The face types are highlighted in different colors. You can save the documents with colors highlighting the common, unique, and modified faces.
Bill of Materials (BOM):
Compares Bill of Material (BOM) tables from two SOLIDWORKS assembly or drawing documents. You can compare BOM tables from two assemblies, two drawings, or an assembly and a drawing. The results list missing columns and rows, extra columns and rows, and failed rows. Comparison of Excel-based BOMs is not supported. This utility finds all BOM tables in the documents. You can select the BOMs to compare in BOM 1 and BOM 2. You can also select a column for Criteria for failed rows. Failed rows have identical data in both BOM tables for the selected column, but nonidentical data in the other columns.
DrawCompare:
SolidWorks' Draw Compare feature simplifies the process of comparing two drawings to identify any changes made between them. We will delve into the functionality of DrawCompare, exploring how it helps users detect modifications, additions, or omissions within drawings. By highlighting the benefits and unique aspects of DrawCompare, we will showcase how SolidWorks streamlines the design review process.
Conclusion: SolidWorks shines as a comprehensive CAD software, and its compare functionalities enhance the design process by providing efficient tools for document comparison, feature analysis, geometry manipulation, bill of materials management, and drawing review. By comparing SolidWorks with other CAD software options across these key areas, it becomes evident why SolidWorks remains a preferred choice for engineers and designers worldwide.
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