Connector Comparison Tool

Use the Connector Comparison tool to compare the connectors in your model to the ones in a Master Connection File (MCF) or Master Weld File (MWF).

Location: Accessed by clicking Compare in the Connectors module.

MCF connectors display on the left, model connectors display on the right.

Connectors are displayed with their thicknesses, locations, distances, and so on in two grids: one for the MCF and one for the current model. These lists of connectors are compared based on connector ID, and any connectors containing a discrepancy are highlighted. However, you can specify a location tolerance to allow for small discrepancies in connector location.

In addition, a third grid displays the difference in distance between the model's connectors and the MCF connectors, and a fourth displays the results (pass/fail or notes/warnings).

You will be alerted if any discrepancies found

Tool Options

Option Action
Export Save the comparison as a comma-separated value (*.csv) file, which can be imported into spreadsheets and similar programs.
Zoom Zoom in on a connector by clicking an entry in one of the grids and then clicking this button.
Filter Hide all connector entries in the grids except for errors and any entry that you have specifically highlighted.
Show All Remove any filters previously applied.
Import MCF Either type in the path to the Master Connection File or Master Weld File that you wish to compare the model to, or click the browse (open-folder) button at the end of the text field to browse to and select the file.
Thickness Display each connector’s thickness in the MCF and Model grids.
PID Display the part IDs of each connector's attached components in the MCF and Model grids.
Exclude from run check Ignore thickness discrepancies, and/or ignore the PID numbers of the components attached to each connector (relying instead purely on the connectors’ X,Y,Z values to determine discrepancies) when comparing connectors.
Location tolerance Do not report an error for the connectors whose locations do not match between model and MCF but in which the discrepancy is this distance or less.
Run Check Run a comparison between the model’s connectors and the ones listed in the MCF/MWF file after you have specified an MCF or MWF file and the desired thickness and PID criteria.
Reset All Clear the grids and reset the checkboxes and Location Tolerance to their default states (does not clear the MCF file path).
Close Close the Connector Comparison tool.