How do you guys check for differences between DWG files?
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Part of the job is to do this when clients send updates of their designs. How do you guys compare the two files? Do you just import the new plan into your SU model, or do you have a smarter way?
BTW, I don't have AutoCAD. I just use Draftsight and the free Autodesk Design Review (formerly DWG Viewer).
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Do you have a way of overlaying one drawing with the other--each registered with some common benchmark in the drawing? Also, certainly, check properties of the files to see size of file differences.
I know you have been at this a while, so I am puzzled whether the above info is really what you are seeking. -
Overlaying works good when you can easily tell which line belongs to each drawing... I remember this was easy when I was an ArchiCAD user (it has a "trace" function), but unfortunately I don't have it anymore.
Any other ideas?
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I do not know enough about Draftsight, but is there a way to colorize one or make all the lines on one drawing a unique color, overlay it, and see where the differences are? Obviously, save for archive with maybe a date string, then make a copy to colorize or turn into a jpg or other image. Surely there is layering in this current program you are using?
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Design Review has a compare function, but the prints have to be exactly the same - any change in viewport position will mean the two drawings are "different".
Nanocad http://nanocad.com/ is a free AutoCAD clone (not tried). You should be able to insert both drawings into a third to overlay them - you can change the layer/object colours in both drawings to make it clearer. -
I have not used it ,but they offer a product
http://www.doublecad.com/Products/DoubleCADPlugins/DrawingCompare/tabid/1641/Default.aspxBep
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