AutoCAD Tip – Drawing Compare tool for AutoCAD versions prior to 2019

By Dennis Collin

AutoCAD 2019 provided a new drawing compare feature which is vital when trying to keep track of drawing revisioning and versioning. It has been subsequently improved with the latest 2022 release.

However, if you are still using AutoCAD 2018 or earlier there is an Add-in available that will provide a similar level of functionality to its 2019’s cousin. The drawing compare Add-in provides a similar level of functionality to 2019. Once installed a button appears in the Add-ins tab and once executed brings up a dialogue asking users what files need to be compared.

This add-in compares two versions of a drawing. Comparison differences are temporarily displayed on the original drawing version in the drawing area (new objects in green, modified objects in yellow, moved objects in white, deleted objects in red).

Although this add-in is compatible with AutoCAD 2019, it is recommended to use the new DWG Compare command within AutoCAD 2019, located in the Collaborate tab.

The DWG compare Tool is a free add-in and is available for ideally AutoCAD versions (2016-2018) and can be downloaded from the App store here:

https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Index?id=1050435430275763742&appLang=en&os=Win32_64

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