CAD to CAD comparison

The ability to compare CAD files for two assemblies or two assembly revisions can help process engineers identify and (if necessary) resolve potential manufacturing problems before they happen.

Log into the NPI client application.
Select Process Engineering > Product Comparisons.
Select the CAD to CAD tab.
Select the ellipsis (...) to the right of the Assembly A drop-down.
Use the Search options in the Please select an Assembly dialog to locate the assemblies you want to compare. You can search by assembly or customer and also filter by date.
Select the desired assembly, then select OK.
Repeat Step 4 by selecting the ellipsis (...) next to the Assembly B drop-down.
Repeat Step 5 and Step 6 to locate Assembly B for the comparison.

Note

You can also use the Assembly A and Assembly B drop-downs to select assemblies for comparison.

The results of the CAD to CAD comparison are shown under Comparison Results.

Use the Options selections in the upper-right corner of the window to further refine the comparison results. You can choose the CAD component data to include in the comparison, for example Added Component, Changed Footprint, Rotated Component. (In the previous illustration, the comparison results show that deleted part numbers were found as well as a rotated component C1.)

As you change the Options selections, notice how the Comparison Results data changes dynamically. If you make a selection and no differences between the two CAD files are found, you will see Comparison: No difference found next to the line items for each Type. When differences between the two CAD files are found, the Type expands automatically and differences are highlighted at the bottom of the window in the CAD images.
To search for a specific part in one of the CAD files, enter the part ID in the Search for Part text box. When a part is located, it is highlighted under ECADS.
To open the Comparison Details for one of the CAD files, select the Open in New Window button.

Note

Use the tools in the lower-left corner of a CAD image to adjust the view.

To print the CAD to CAD comparison details, select the Print button.
In the Print Preview window, make the desired selections for printing and/or saving the comparison file. You can also use the toolbar buttons at the top of the Print Preview window to export (in a variety of formats), save, and/or email the comparison file to others in your organization.