It is now possible to compare parts or part variants with each other in the parts management and during the part selection. This is important in particular for part variants in order to determine the properties in which they differ from one another.
Benefit:
The parts comparison allows you to quickly recognize differences between selected parts or part variants. This results in more informed decision-making, reduces sources of errors and increases the efficiency in the entire engineering process.
Selecting parts for comparison
To select a part for a comparison, the Compare check box is now available next to the [Extras] button in the dialogs mentioned above. This check box can only be activated for parts on the lowest hierarchy level in the tree or for an entry in the list. Multiple selection is not possible.
A maximum of ten parts can be selected. Once the maximum number has been reached, the check box can no longer be activated for further parts. The text shows how many parts are already selected for comparison (e.g. "Compare (2/10)" for two selected parts).
When the parts management is closed, the Compare check boxes are deactivated again for the selected parts and part variants.
Dialog for the parts comparison
You open the dialog for the parts comparison via the new popup menu item [Extras] > Compare parts.
The properties of selected parts or part variants are compared with each other in the Compare parts dialog. The values of the properties are only displayed and cannot be edited by you. In the table, the properties are listed by row and the parts by column, with their part number and variant designation (in brackets).
If there are different values for a property, the table cells are highlighted by a background with a different gray tone.
The properties that are displayed here can be specified - as in the Properties tab - via the familiar buttons (for example 
(Filled properties)) or by means of a scheme for a property configuration. The new 
(Show only differences) button is available in the Compare parts dialog to identify differences faster. Click this button to have only those properties displayed for which a difference exists.
Use the 
button above the table to add a further part to the parts comparison via a part selection. Use the 
button to remove a marked part from the parts comparison. A part is marked when at least one cell in the corresponding column is marked in the table.
You can influence the sequence of the parts by using the arrow buttons.
Tip:
When comparing parts from the part selection, the [OK] button is available instead of the [Go to (part)] button. The submenu items of the [OK] button can be used in the Compare parts dialog to carry out a part selection directly. Select the desired part in the comparison dialog and select the Select part menu item below the [OK] button. This closes the parts comparison and the Part selection dialog and selects the marked part for the device.
A new special dialog for the parts comparison is now also available for the synchronization of parts. Further information on this is available in the section "Extensions for the Synchronization of Parts".
See also
