Comparing CAD Files

If you receive a revised CAD file for a previously-created inspection project, you can compare the new file to the one in an existing SOLIDWORKS Inspection project.

The comparison uses automated or manual revision options to compare the files.

To compare CAD files:

  1. In a project with a CAD file open, click Import File (Document ribbon).
  2. In the dialog box, open the revised CAD file.
  3. In the Properties/Preferences PropertyManager, on the Revision Management tab, click one of the following and click .
    • Automated Revision. Finds all of the differences between the two files and automatically updates the original file based on the option you choose in the table below.
    • Manual Revision. Highlights the changes found so you can update the CAD file on a case-by-case basis based on the option you choose in the table below.
    Option Automated Revision Results Manual Revision Results
    Number extracted annotations have been deleted from the file Lists the number of extracted annotations that were removed from the revised file. Under Remove all deleted characteristics from project and, select one of the following:
    • Retire removed characteristic number(s). Removes corresponding balloons as if you deleted them with Renumber remaining characteristics cleared.
    • Reuse removed characteristic number(s). Removes corresponding balloons as if you deleted them with Renumber remaining characteristics selected.
    		 Lists the number of extracted annotations that were removed from the revised file.

    In the Table Manager, on the Characteristics tab, deleted characteristics appear in red. Right-click the characteristics to delete and click Delete > Delete Inspection Characteristic. This deletes the characteristic and renumbers the remaining characteristics. If you do not delete the characteristics, they remain highlighted in red.
    Number extracted annotations values have been modified in the file Lists the number of extracted annotations that were modified in the revised file. You can:
    • Update existing characteristic(s) with new values. Updates the values of the original characteristics using the established balloon and characteristic numbers from the revised file.
    • Do not update existing characteristic(s) with new values. Makes no changes to the characteristics. This may cause a discrepancy between the values in the file and the values on the Characteristic tab in the Table Manager.
    		 Lists the number of extracted annotations that have changed in the revised file.

    In the Table Manager, on the Characteristics tab, deleted characteristics appear in yellow. Right-click the characteristics to update and click Update Characteristic Value. If you do not update the values, they remain highlighted in yellow.
    Number new annotations have been found in the file Lists the number of characteristics in the file that were not extracted in the previously saved state of the project (even in the characteristic was present in the previous revision). You can:
    • Automatically extract new annotations. Extracts and balloons all new characteristics (does not change established numbering).
    • Do not extract new annotations. Does not extract the new characteristics. The characteristics appear as unextracted (gray) when automated revision processing finishes.
    		 Lists the number of extracted annotations that were added in the revised file.

    In the Table Manager, on the Characteristics tab, new characteristics appear in green. Right-click the characteristics to add and click Add Characteristic with Number > Balloon number