Procore’s drawing comparison tool is designed with collaboration and clarity in mind. With this feature, you can:
• Overlay past drawing revisions onto the current version to see what has been added or removed.
• Visualize changes quickly with a color-coded system, where additions typically appear in blue and removals in red.
• Compare either two individual revisions or an entire set of drawing revisions for a holistic view of changes across a project.
This functionality is particularly beneficial for project managers, architects, engineers, and other team members who need an efficient way to pinpoint discrepancies, update revisions, and maintain version control for change order documentation. Let’s break down how this process works.
Before you can compare drawings in Procore, there are a few prerequisites and permissions to be aware of:
User Permissions:
You need at least "Read Only" permissions—or a higher level—on the project’s Drawings tool.
Drawing Revisions Uploaded:
Ensure that your drawings have more than one revision uploaded. If you need help with uploading drawings or new drawing revisions, refer to the related guides such as “Upload Drawings” and “Upload Drawing Revisions.”
Size Consistency:
Procore requires that the drawings you want to compare be of the same size. Drawings with different dimensions or scales cannot be compared.
Mobile Application Availability:
Procore’s drawing comparison tools are also available on iOS and Android, meaning you can access this feature on the go if you are out on a job site. Detailed instructions for these platforms are provided later in this blog post.
With these basic points in mind, you are ready to learn how to compare drawing revisions using Procore.
Comparing two individual revisions is a straightforward process in Procore’s desktop web interface. Follow these step-by-step instructions:
Accessing the Drawings Tool:
Start by navigating to your project’s Drawings tool within Procore. The tool is easy to find from the project dashboard and is organized to show all drawing files.
Selecting the Drawing:
From the list of available drawings, click the Information (Info) icon next to the drawing that you want to compare. This takes you to the details for that specific drawing.
Accessing the Versions Section:
Within the drawing details, locate the Versions section. You’ll see all revisions that have been uploaded to the system for that specific drawing.
Choosing the Revision to Compare:
Click the vertical ellipsis (three dots) icon next to the version you want to compare. If you wish to compare the current version with a previous one, click on the ellipsis corresponding to the older revision.
Initiating the Comparison:
Select “Compare to this version.” At this point, the drawing comparison mode will open. The two versions of your drawing will automatically be overlaid on top of each other, with the changes highlighted:
Downloading the Comparison (Optional):
For future reference or sharing with stakeholders, you can download the comparison report. Click the “Download” button to save a PNG file of the comparison directly to your computer.
This step-by-step guide covers the basic process of comparing two individual revisions of a drawing. It lets you quickly visualize what has changed between revisions – an ideal solution for verifying updates and catching any discrepancies in the design.
Projects with multiple drawing revisions can benefit greatly from the bulk comparison feature. This capability allows you to compare an entire set of drawing revisions automatically and receive a consolidated report. Here’s how to do it:
Navigate to the Drawings Tool:
As before, start in your project’s Drawings tool. Instead of selecting an individual drawing, move to the “Drawing Sets” section.
Selecting the Appropriate Drawing Set:
If your project uses drawing areas, be sure to choose the appropriate drawing area first. Then select the drawing set that contains the drawings whose revisions you want to compare.
Initiating the Bulk Comparison:
Click the “Compare Set” button. Procore will then generate a PDF file that contains each drawing compared to its previous version.
Receiving the PDF Report:
The bulk comparison report is not immediately displayed on-screen. Instead, it is generated and then emailed to you. This PDF report features all revisions with changes clearly highlighted (blue for additions, red for removals), providing a comprehensive overview for your entire drawing set.
Bulk comparisons are especially useful for larger projects where manually comparing each drawing would take too long. It offers a snapshot of project evolution, making it easier to confirm that all changes have been accounted for during major design revisions or when transitioning from tender sets to issued-for-construction drawings.
Procore’s mobile applications provide nearly the same functionality as the desktop interface, with some added flexibility for field use. Field teams can access drawing comparisons on the go – whether on an iOS or Android device.
If you are an iOS user, here’s how you can compare drawing revisions:
Open the Procore App:
Launch the Procore app on your iOS device and go to the project's Drawings tool.
Select a Drawing:
Tap on the drawing you wish to review, then tap “Compare Drawings.” The app will immediately display the comparison between the two most recent revisions.
Customize the Comparison:
If you want to compare the drawing with a different revision, tap the header labeled “Comparing this drawing” and then select “Compare with different drawing.” This lets you choose any revision in the drawing’s history to compare against the current one.
Comparing Drawing Batches:
In addition, you can compare an entire batch of drawings by selecting a drawing set, starting with one drawing, and then swiping left or right to view comparisons of subsequent drawings in the set.
For Android users, the process is very similar:
Launch the App:
Open the Procore mobile app and head over to the Drawings tool.
Select and Compare:
Like iOS, tap on the drawing to see the available options, then select “Compare Drawings.” The visual comparison will open just as it does on the desktop.
Navigate Revisions:
Use the provided options to select different revisions if needed. The comparison tool on Android maintains the same visual scheme, highlighting additions in blue and removals in red.
Procore’s mobile drawing comparison features are designed for use in the field, where immediate access to updated drawings is essential. The ability to compare drawings on-site helps teams catch potential issues early, reducing project delays and minimizing miscommunications.
Sometimes, when comparing drawings, you might notice that everything appears highlighted in red and blue. This often occurs when the PDFs of the drawings have shifted slightly between revisions. On the iOS app, you have the option to “Realign” the drawings by dragging the overlay until both versions line up perfectly. This ensures that only the actual design changes are highlighted, rather than any misalignment artifacts.
At the time of writing, the realignment feature is only available on mobile devices. If you are using the desktop web interface, you currently cannot adjust the overlay manually. However, there are a few workarounds and tips to consider:
• Ensure that your PDFs are properly aligned before uploading them to Procore.
• Use the Procore Windows 10 app if your workflow requires on-the-go realignment capabilities similar to the mobile version.
• Provide feedback via Procore’s product feedback portal (Uservoice) if this feature is critical to your workflow. Many users support such enhancements, and the development team has taken note.
For users needing precise alignment on desktop, the workaround is to use the mobile app or, alternatively, export the PDFs and use third-party applications such as Bluebeam or Adobe to adjust the alignment before re-uploading them. These external tools have strong overlay and alignment features that can complement Procore’s functionality.
Understanding the technical steps is essential, but let’s also look at some real-world scenarios where comparing drawings in Procore can significantly improve project outcomes.
Imagine an architect updating a design after receiving feedback from a client or engineering team. With each change, a new revision is uploaded to Procore. By comparing the latest revision to the previous one, stakeholders can:
• Validate that only the intended changes have been made. • Quickly identify any discrepancies or omitted details. • Provide feedback promptly to ensure that subsequent revisions meet project specifications.
This rapid feedback loop is critical to keeping a project on schedule and preventing costly errors during construction.
Quality assurance is another area where drawing comparisons can play a crucial role. Project managers can use the tool to verify that the construction team is following approved plans. By comparing the issued-for-construction drawings with earlier tender designs or previous revisions, managers can spot deviations or unauthorized changes immediately. This helps maintain compliance with regulatory standards and ensures that the construction project proceeds according to the established guidelines.
In larger projects, design revisions often involve multiple disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Sometimes, conflicts between these disciplines occur—like when a mechanical drawing must overlay an electrical one to identify potential clashes. While this overlay function is easier on mobile devices, some creative workarounds on desktop have been noted. For example, some users upload different discipline drawings under the same drawing number to use Procore’s version comparison functionality to see how critical elements align. Though not a perfect solution, it allows teams to catch alignment issues early before they transform into major problems during construction.
For projects spanning multiple floors or involving extensive design updates, manual comparison of each drawing could be extremely time-consuming. The bulk comparison feature automates the process by providing an emailed PDF report of all drawing comparisons, streamlining the review process for large construction teams. This is especially useful during phases of the project that involve major design changes or when transitioning from design-development to construction-documents stages.
Here are some practical tips to ensure you get the most out of Procore’s drawing comparison feature:
• Always double-check that you have the correct version of your drawing before initiating a comparison.
• Use the bulk overlay option for large projects where multiple drawings are updated frequently.
• Give feedback to Procore’s development team if needed, as user feedback is vital for improving these features.
• When working on mobile, remember that realigning drawings is possible to adjust any minor misalignments—something currently unavailable on the desktop interface. • Incorporate the drawing comparison review as part of your standard project quality checks to catch discrepancies early and ensure your team is always on the same page.
Procore’s drawing comparison does not exist in isolation; it integrates seamlessly with other tools within the platform. For example, you can annotate compared drawings and share notes directly with your team. This integration supports better communication among stakeholders and aids in swiftly resolving any identified issues. The ability to visualize changes directly on the drawing, along with integrated markups and comments, makes the review process more dynamic and interactive.
Now that you understand the capabilities and benefits of comparing drawings in Procore, here's a quick recap to help you get started:
By integrating this process into your project management workflow, you ensure that everyone—from the project manager to the field engineer—has a clear and consistent understanding of the changes made to the project drawings. This systematic approach minimizes misunderstandings and promotes greater accountability among team members.
Procore’s drawing comparison feature is a hidden gem for anyone involved in the construction process. It not only allows for simple, one-to-one comparisons between drawing revisions but also offers a bulk overlay option that can significantly reduce the time spent on review processes for larger projects. While the realignment capability is a mobile-exclusive feature for now, the desktop version still offers robust functionality that meets most project needs.
By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can easily establish a reliable workflow to monitor design changes, catch errors early, and foster better communication amongst your project team. Whether you’re in the office or on the job site, learning how to compare drawings in Procore ensures that your projects remain on track and under control.
We invite you to explore these tools further within Procore’s interface. Embrace the power of visual comparison and let the easily distinguishable blue and red highlights become a critical part of your quality control process. By leveraging these features effectively, you can save time, reduce errors, and ultimately ensure successful project outcomes.
Remember: staying up-to-date with the latest Procore features means you can always find a way to streamline your work, improve collaboration, and increase project efficiency. Now that you know how to compare drawings in Procore, start implementing this tool today to enjoy the benefits of clear, visual communication across every stage of your construction projects.
Happy drawing comparing!
Whether you are a seasoned project manager or new to Procore’s tools, incorporating drawing comparison into your workflow is a game changer. If you have any questions, need additional help, or want to explore more advanced functionalities, feel free to reach out via Procore support or check out the many available online tutorials. Your next step is clear: optimize your drawing review process and drive your project success with Procore’s powerful system.
We hope this guide has provided valuable insights into how to compare drawings in Procore, setting you up for a smoother, more efficient project experience.
Happy building!