Comparing drawings

The DWGCOMPARE command compares a selected drawing with the current drawing during a comparison session.

The ENDCOMPARE command concludes a comparison session.

The KEEPME command allows you to merge the compared drawings visually.

Comparison system variables

Name Title Description
CMPCLRMISS Color of missing entities Controls the color of missing entities.

The default color is Red.
CMPCLRMOD1 Color of modified entities Controls the color of modified entities.

The default color is index color 253.
CMPCLRMOD2 Color of modified entities in the second drawing Controls the color of modified entities in the second drawing.

The default color is Yellow.
CMPCLRNEW Color of new entities Controls the color of new entities.

The default color is Green.
CMPDIFFLIMIT Maximum number of entities

Controls the limit for entities to compare. The comparison will be aborted after reaching the difference limit.

Values between 1 and 10,000,000 are accepted.
CMPFADECTL Fade Controls the fade level for unmodified entities.

The default value is 80.
CMPLOG Log control Toggles the creation of a log report (cmplog). By default, it is set Off.

Executing a comparison session

  1. Launch the DWGCOMPARE command.

    You are prompted:

    CMPDIFFLIMIT = 10000000.

    Select a file to compare with or set the comparison limit [Select/Limit] <Select>:

  2. (Optional) Choose the Limit option to set a new value for entities comparison.
  3. Choose Select to display the Select the file to compare with dialog box.
  4. Select the drawing to be compared with the current drawing, then click the Open button or double-click the drawing name.

    The Compare panel displays to compare the drawings. See also the Compare panel article.

    The Compare toolbar also appears.

  5. Click the End compare button in the Compare panel to conclude the comparison session.

Analyzing the comparison in the Structure panel

  1. While running the DWGCOMPARE command, load the Default.cst configuration in the Structure panel.
  2. Expand the Comparison node.

    Four subnodes are shown: Missing, Modified (Original), New and Modified (Compared).

    The number of entities in each subnode is indicated between brackets.

  3. Do the following:
    • Click a subnode to select the corresponding entities in the drawing.
    • Expand a subnode, then click an entity to highlight the corresponding entity in the drawing.

      Press and hold the Ctrl key to select multiple entities.

    • Right-click, then choose Zoom in the context menu to zoom onto the selected entity or entities.
Note: When selecting entities in the Structure panel, entities are either selected or highlighted in the drawing, or tree selection is ignored. (See the Structure panel article).