topic Re: How to compare several similar 3d model? in Fusion Support Forum

How to compare several similar 3d model?

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 08:36:18 GMT

Hello. Could you tell me please, how to compare several similar 3d models. I want to see the same parts of models.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

g-andresen — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 09:23:11 GMT

Hi,

could you explain what you want to compare (form, dimensions, masses ...) and should everything be in one picture?

günther

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:26:07 GMT

Hello,

I was wondering if it is possible to compare two different models in Fusion 360. I often recieve two separate .step files of the same part from a customer. I was wondering if I can open both models and visually see if material has been added or removed from the previous version. I am aware of comparing different versions of the same part model if it was designed in Fusion 360, but I do not know of a way to compare two different .step files.

Please let me know if this is possible.

Thank you,

Derek

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

TheCADWhisperer — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:31:38 GMT

Place both in same location is space and run the Interference command.

Attach your file here if you can't figure it out.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

jlarsonLP454 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:05:19 GMT

I tried using the Interference command to compare two models and didn't find it usable. Often the models are nearly identical and I'm looking for things that are 0.1-1mm off. This tool turns both bodies translucent and highlights interference in red, which hides the noninterfering parts, which is the only part I actually want to see.

I built a test model, copied the body, then added a 1mm blend to three of the rectangular post features. Even at 1mm it is barely visible:

There is a 0.1mm blend on the opposite corners that isn't at all visible. I tried changing the material appearance, but other than texture the tool seems to ignore material settings for appearance.

All of which is to say, this tool could do what the OP asked for (and I would like as well), but in its present form it doesn't meet my needs. I used to use a compare tool in my old CAD program on a very regular basis, so this would be an extremely valuable function to add. For basic functionality, adding the option to highlight non-interfering sections to the Interference tool would solve the problem (or just make them a bright blue color to contrast with the red).

My old CAD program (Creo Elements Direct) had a much more powerful tool that could auto-align two parts and then compare them. This was handy, but manually aligning the components isn't the end of the world.

I did figure out a workaround for anyone reading this. If you encapsulate one part in a cube or other body and then boolean subtract it (the Combine command) from the cube, you can then do an interference check between the cube and the other part. You'll then have to repeat the process and subtract the other part from the cube (just edit the Combine command and switch parts) and redo the interference check. The two interference checks will show you the differences, highlighted nicely in red (in my case since the only difference is blends on on one part, the first interference check showed no interference):

So this workaround solves my immediate need, but it's a pain. Please Fusion team, consider adding functionality to meet this part compare need in a straightforward fashion. Thank you!

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

TheCADWhisperer — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 00:08:20 GMT

Wayyy back in the early days of Fusion there was a tool to do this.
This thread left me wondering whatever happened to that functionality.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

HughesTooling — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 12:19:53 GMT

Might be worth experimenting with boundary fill.

Here I have 2 cubes selected, one with 4 filleted edges.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

jlarsonLP454 — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:29:42 GMT

Thanks for the tip Mark!

I haven't used that tool before, but it looks quite useful in general.

I played with it for this need and it does work better than the compare tool. Not perfect, but seems usable. I'll see how it looks on actual parts next time I need to compare them.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

jlarsonLP454 — Fri, 03 May 2024 17:16:10 GMT

Bit of an update on this. I tried comparing two models using the methods discussed above (including the interference check method), and for this rather complex part I get an error no matter which method I try:

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

HughesTooling — Fri, 03 May 2024 17:23:31 GMT

Are you comparing parts created in Fusion or imported. If imported are there any errors in the import, have you tried running validate on the parts. Validate is only available in direct edit mode.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

jlarsonLP454 — Fri, 03 May 2024 17:40:07 GMT

I was comparing a set of parts (one at a time) created in Fusion to an older STEP export of the same parts.

I tried it again with the Fusion files directly, and now the interference tool works on one of the two parts, but gives the same error for the other part. The Boundary Fill tool gives an error for either part.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

chrisYZMR2 — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 09:25:27 GMT

A work around that I have used is to put both parts in the same file, join them together at an identical feature like a hole, boss, wall, etc. Then use the Modify > Combine command and choose "cut". Make sure Keep Tool Bodies is not checked. What will remain are the bits and pieces of the model that are not identical.

Re: How to compare several similar 3d model?

MDACAM07 — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:31:59 GMT

Hello,

I would like to give my opinion on this topic. There is a tool in PowerShape that I use quite often to compare models to check for differences. This tool is very practical and very useful. I would like to see it implemented in Fusion, or a similar tool.

The tool in PowerShape is Visualisation\Visual Difference

Thank you.