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Project Compare for Plant 3D - It’s Finally Here!

Plant 3D users have waited a long time for a tool like this. The new Project Compare tool in Plant 3D 2022 allows users to compare a current project configuration to another project or a template project. After a comparison is made and differences are found, users can choose to either sync the items or property differences from one project to another. This means you can sync changes back to your template project!!

Why is this important to Plant 3D users?

In the past, if a user wanted to utilize an object or setting they developed in a new project, they needed to change the settings in their starter project or go through the process again in the new project. This would take away much needed project time for design. Also, as a user, you didn’t know if you had an exact match to the setting or object created in the previous project.

How do you use the tool?

First, open the project that needs new information. You may take this information from a recent project you worked on. In the Project Manager, right-click on the project and select the Project Compare tool. If you have a drawing open, you can also find the tool in the Project panel in your Home tab of the ribbon. After starting the tool, the Project Compare dialog box will appear and allow you to select the location of the project you want to pull information from. You will choose the project.xml file in the location where you have your project stored.

Project Compare Opening Dialog Box

Once you selected the second project, it will look through both projects and give you a Project Compare Summary. It will list what comparisons are successful or matching, and what project differences were found. On the left side of your screen, you will see the yellow triangles, which will display the differences.

Drawing Compare Summary

When you select on the differences, the right side of the screen will change to show what specifically differs from the current project. After reviewing the differences, you have the option to click a checkmark to accept the synchronization and accept all.

Compare Specific Categories to accept

At the bottom of the dialog, you can then click on the Sync Review button. This will give you a Project Sync Detail list of what will be updated in the project. For the final approval, you will need to click on Sync Now at the bottom of the dialog. You’ll then see the final screen display of the Project Sync Successful with a big green checkmark.

Compare Sync Summary

After making the changes, you can verify that the settings are updated in the correct project.

When should you use this tool?

This is something you want to be careful with. As you work within projects, it may seem like a no-brainer to just move any new content from a project into your start reference project. However, do you really want your project cluttered with one-off type content that you used in a previous project? This may confuse some users if they have too many choices for settings. In my opinion, before just dumping all new content into your starter, really look at what it is you are adding to your starter. Is it important to utilize the feature in most of your projects or not?

Philip Charlson

Sr. MEP Technical Specialist

Licenses & Certifications

Revit Architecture Professional Certification
Revit MEP Mechanical Professional Certification
Revit MEP Electrical Professional Certification
AutoCAD Professional Certification
Autodesk Certified Instructor – Gold Status

About Philip

Philip brings over 20 years of mechanical and architectural design experience to ATG. He is a certified expert in AutoCAD, Revit Architecture and MEP products. Philip also brings 25 years of CAD/BIM experience on Autodesk software, making him an important part of ATG’s technical team.

Philip’s current responsibilities include training, mentoring, writing technical guides, providing technical support, implementation and content creation. He has worked in the Autodesk VAR channel for 18 years and has successfully implemented Autodesk AEC software into several companies.

Philip began using AutoCAD since Release 9 back in his high school years and has continues today with the most current version. He started using Revit soon after Autodesk purchased it back in 2002. When not working, you can find him at a Timberwolves game, at his camper or building something new with Legos.

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