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Comparing Markup Versions

View and compare the schematic and/or layout designs of two saved project versions using the Xpedition Viewer application.

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Written by Rinnert Hawkins
Updated over a week ago

Tier: Xpedition Viewer Standard.

Role: Administrator, Editor, Viewer.

The Xpedition Viewer application enables you to view and compare the schematic and/or layout designs of two saved project versions. Designs associated with a project version likely contains changes to object placement, connectivity, and/or part list data. By comparing two versions of a PCB design or schematic design, you can see the differences between versions.

The XCC Compare Viewer enables you to simultaneously view both selected versions of a schematic or layout design or part list data at the same time. Highlighting indicates whether an object is part of the newer version or the older version. Because the display is customizable, you can choose to display only part of the whole data set, and the highlighting colors for each version.

You can also view changes to the data to identify differences in the part list, net list, PCB placement, and more. For example, you can view the highlighted changes in the tabular view of data.

Prerequisites

  • You have an Xpedition Viewer Standard tier subscription.

  • A project with two or more versions of design is open in the application.

Procedure

  1. In the Design page, select the Project Version dropdown list and then use Ctrl-click to select two project versions.
    The Compare Options dialog box displays.
    ​Note: If the software requires time to process your comparison request, click Let Me Know. When the request is ready, a message displays in the application banner where you click Open it now to display the Compare Options dialog box.
    ​

  2. Do one of the following based on the selected object type:
    ​Note: If you only want to compare data, uncheck all layers or sheets, then click Compare Data Only. The web application displays the differences.

Object

Do the following:

Part lists

Select the Schematic or PCB option for each version. If the part list data for a design type does not exist, the web application preselects the available part list data. Note the following:

  • Data-only comparison is provided when the design types of the part lists do not match (for example, comparing a schematic part list to a PCB part list). Click Compare Data Only.

PCB designs

For each layer to include in the comparison, enable its check box. While doing so, you can also:

  • Select all layers or no layers.

  • Group layers by layer type (for example, electrical layers).

Schematic designs

Add each schematic sheet to include in the comparison by selecting it, then clicking Add. While doing so, you can also:

  • Add all schematic sheets or remove all schematic sheets.

  • Remove a single schematic sheet by clicking it in the listing at the bottom of the dialog box.

  1. (Optional) If there is a stackup change or major schematic sheet changes between versions, you can compare different layers or sheets. Click Advanced settings, then do one of the following based on the design type:
    ​
    - PCB designs — A new column displays you layer selections for the earlier design version. To change a layer, click its dropdown list, then select a different layer. For example, a user has selected Layer 1 and Layer 2 for comparison.
    ​


    - Schematic designs — A new pane to the right displays schematic sheet selections for the earlier design version. Click a schematic sheet in each pane, then click Add. The listing of selected sheets displays an entry like this if you compare different schematic sheets.
    ​

  2. Verify your selections, then click Compare.
    The web application displays in a new browser tab and highlights differences between versions. In the following PCB example, the newer version (green) has an additional route, and some reference designator changes. The older version (blue) includes several routes that are not in the newer version, and the previous reference designators.
    ​

  3. Set the view to graphics, data, or both (see the settings at the top-right of the application window when you click Switch View.

  4. If inspecting graphical changes, you should now view each difference. In the pane on the left, under the list of layers or sheets, click within the scrollable list to change the focus to a specific difference (ensure that “Zoom to selected” is enabled).

  5. As you view graphical differences, you can do any of the following to make your comparison environment more efficient:
    - Change the displayed layers (PCB only) — In the pane displaying the list of layers, check or uncheck individual layers, or click Show all or Hide all.
    - Change the available layer or sheet comparisons — In the pane displaying the layers or sheets, click Compare. Make modifications as described earlier in this procedure, then click Compare.
    - Change the display of version graphics — On the toolbar, click to enable or disable any of the following:
    ​ Show graphics unique to the revised design
    ​ Show graphics common to both design
    ​ Show graphics unique to the original design
    ​ Highlight currently selected difference
    - Change version highlighting colors — At the top-right of the browser tab, click a version color box, then select a different color.
    - Mirror the board — On the toolbar, click Mirror board to spin the PCB 180 degrees on its vertical axis.
    - Rotate the board — On the toolbar, click Rotate board to the left 90 degrees to turn the PCB in 90 degree increments.

  6. When you are finished with the comparison, close the Compare Viewer.

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