Comparing 3D Objects

You can visually compare two products or two parts, and store the comparison result in a slide.

Before you begin: Open one of the objects to compare. It can be a product or a part.
Notes:
  • If a markup or review is created, its context is used as the first object to compare.
  • If FT&A annotations are loaded in session, then they are taken into account for the comparison.
Tip: To compare a subproduct of the object associated to your markup, before clicking 3D Compare, select the subproduct or part, from the 3D area or using the level selector.
  1. From the Markup section of the action bar, click 3D Compare .
  2. If the first object to compare is not already selected, select it in the 3D area or in the root list.
    The Search results panel is displayed for the selection of the second object. It lists all revisions of the first selected object to compare.
    Note: If you do not want to compare the selected object with one of its revisions, you can search for another object.
  3. To select the second object, use one of the following methods:
    • Select an object directly in the 3D area or in the root list.
    • Select a search result, and click Ok.
    The comparison result is displayed. The geometries of the first part or product are displayed in red , those of the second product or part are displayed in green , and the common geometries are displayed in gray .

    Note that the annotations created in 3D Tolerancing & Annotation are also visible in the compare result.

    Tip: You can change the colors representing the two objects and the common geometry from the preferences. For more information, see Compare.
  4. Optional: Move the comparison slider at the top toward the left or the right, to control the opacity of the first or second objects in the comparison result.

    Notes:
    • The opacity value of the slider is stored in the slide when you create it. After the slide is created, you can always move the comparison slider to change the opacity of the compared objects. This does not modify the opacity value stored in the slide.
    • If subproduct or part positions are defined precisely according to the absolute axis system, clear the Local Axis option to ensure proper positionning in relation to the other compared object.

    Table 1. Compare Results at the Extremities of the Slider
    Slider at Extreme Left Position Slider at Extreme Right Position

    Only the first product or part in red is visible.

    Only the second product or part in green is visible
  5. Create a slide or a format to store the comparison result.

    Tip: To store another comparison in a different slide, you need to click 3D Compare again, and then create another slide or format.