topic Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS in Civil 3D Forum

COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

21127015 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:01:36 GMT

I’ve tried using the COMPARE command, but it doesn’t seem to detect changes in Civil 3D object data (e.g., surface elevations or label of pipe network, label of aligments).
Is there a better way to compare these objects between two files?

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

ianjchap — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:56:48 GMT

Hi @21127015,

Comparing data between two different Surfaces is always best to understand in Profile or Section view.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

21127015 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:01:51 GMT

I’m looking for a way to compare two labels, such as pipe network labels or surface spot elevation labels, between two Civil 3D drawings.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

AdammReilly — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:49:28 GMT

COMPARE is an AutoCAD command and doesn't fully work with the verticals built on AutoCAD.

If you're looking to compare things like labels, the best (or worst) way to do this is explode the data in the two files (obviously saving to a temporary location for this) and then compare those files once the C3D data has been destroyed/converted to AutoCAD entities.

At that point, COMPARE will work to find you all the things.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

pkomatlapalli — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:08:07 GMT

Hello @21127015

Just checking in—did the responses shared by @ianjchap and @AdammReilly help clarify your question?

If so, please consider clicking the "Accept Solution" button on the post(s) that solved your problem. Doing so helps others in the community easily find useful answers.

If your question still needs more attention, feel free to reply here with an update. This way, other members can jump in with further suggestions or guidance to help you move forward.

All the best,

Pavan Kumar | Community Manager

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

21127015 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:10:41 GMT

Hi @pkomatlapalli
I still haven’t received a solution for this yet. Could you please update me?
Thank you!

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

ianjchap — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:57:07 GMT

Hi @21127015,

Create a Profile view, add both surfaces and look at the profile view to compare.

You can move your alignment position around to compare across the surface. Any difference would be noticed in the profile view.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

ianjchap — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:59:00 GMT

As a snap shot, you could look and compare the Statisics of the two surfaces to see some broarder information. If you're looking to understand if thet are different. This will tell you straight away.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

21127015 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:02:32 GMT

Hi @ianjchap

No, I think you misunderstood my point.
What I mean is comparing labels and notes of objects that are associated with AECC objects.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

AdammReilly — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:32:56 GMT

As I pointed out earlier, there is no way to do that with AECC objects - at least not with the OOTB compare command. That's an AUTOCAD level command and doesn't reliably recognize CIVIL 3D objects.

The best way to compare those things is by dumbing them down to AutoCAD entities - through the use of EXPLODE. I don't like this method because it's so destructive but it will get you what you're looking for through the means you want to see them.

Re: COMPARE AECC OBJECTS

pkomatlapalli — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:58:35 GMT

Hi @21127015

Did the info from @ianjchap and @AdammReilly help answer your question?

If it did, it’d be great if you could click the "Accept Solution" button so others can easily find it too.

If you’re still needing more help, feel free to share an update here. The community will be happy to jump in with any next steps to help you get where you need to be.

Best,

Pavan Kumar| Community Manager