In construction projects, drawing revisions are inevitable. Over the course of a project, designs evolve, and approved drawings frequently undergo adjustments. To efficiently track these changes, Procore's drawing comparison tool allows users to overlay different versions of a drawing. With changes highlighted in distinct colors (red for removed items and blue for new additions), the tool makes it easy to understand what has been altered between versions.
Keeping track of updates is critical in any construction project. When you compare drawing versions in Procore, you can quickly identify errors or discrepancies introduced in subsequent revisions. This streamlined collaboration ensures team members can easily see what has changed and why, reducing miscommunications during design reviews.
The comparison tool also maintains a historical record of all changes, making it easier to audit decisions or revert to previous designs when necessary. By highlighting modifications directly on the drawings, stakeholders can approve changes more efficiently without manually reading extensive revision notes. This accuracy helps avoid costly rework by ensuring everyone works from the most updated and correct set of drawings.
Before diving into comparing drawing versions in Procore, you need to ensure several conditions are met for the tool to function properly. Understanding these requirements will save you time and frustration when working with the comparison feature.
You must have at least "Read Only" permissions (or higher) on the project's Drawings tool to access comparison features. Without proper access rights, you won't be able to view or compare drawing revisions. The drawing you intend to compare must have more than one revision uploaded, as the comparison tool needs at least two versions to show differences between them.
Procore's comparison tool works best when drawing revisions are of the same size. Drawings of different dimensions cannot be accurately compared using this feature, so consistency in drawing sizes is crucial. The good news is that Procore offers the same drawing comparison capabilities in its mobile applications for both iOS and Android, giving you flexibility to review drawing changes whether you're in the office or on the construction site.
Comparing two versions of a single drawing is one of the most common tasks in Procore. The process is straightforward but incredibly valuable for tracking changes throughout your project lifecycle.
First, log into your Procore project and navigate to the "Drawings" tool from the project menu. You'll see a list of drawings for the selected project where you can scroll through and locate the specific drawing you want to compare. Click the "Info" button next to the drawing to display its details and available versions.
Within the drawing details, locate the "Versions" section which lists all drawing revisions. Each revision represents a different update to the drawing over time. Identify which two versions you want to compare, then click on the vertical ellipsis (three dots) next to the version you want to use as a reference. Select "Compare to this version" to trigger the drawing comparison mode.
When the comparison mode opens, the two drawing versions will overlay each other with changes highlighted in different colors. Elements removed between revisions appear in red, while elements added or modified in the new version show up in blue. These visual indicators allow you to quickly identify and understand the differences between revisions without having to manually inspect every detail.
After reviewing the comparison, you might need to share these findings with team members who don't have Procore access or keep an offline record of the changes.
Procore gives you the option to download the comparison by clicking the "Download" button. The file saves as a PNG image, allowing you to easily review or present the drawing changes in meetings or share via email. This downloadable format preserves all the color-coding and visual indicators that make the comparison valuable.
The ability to save and distribute comparison results extends the utility of the feature beyond just on-screen reviews. Team members in the field can reference these comparisons even without internet access, and stakeholders can receive visual documentation of changes without needing to learn the Procore platform.
For larger projects with numerous drawings or when you need to review an entire set of revisions, Procore's bulk comparison feature saves significant time and effort. This process is especially valuable when working with large drawing sets that span several revisions.
To begin, access the Drawings tool in your Procore project and click on "Drawing Sets." If your project uses drawing areas, make sure to select the correct drawing area first to narrow down your search. Identify the drawing set containing the drawings you want to compare and click on it to open the details and list of included drawings.
Within the drawing set view, click the "Compare Set" button to initiate the bulk comparison. Procore automatically compares each drawing within the set against its previous version, though drawings without a previous revision won't be included in the comparison. Once complete, Procore generates a comprehensive PDF report containing each drawing compared against its previous version and emails this file to you.
The bulk comparison PDF uses the same color-coding as individual comparisons – removed items appear in red and new additions in blue. This comprehensive approach dramatically reduces the time required to review extensive sets of drawings and ensures all revisions are accounted for. Project managers particularly appreciate this feature during milestone reviews or when preparing for client presentations.
While the core functionality of comparing drawing versions remains similar across platforms, understanding the differences between mobile and desktop experiences can help you choose the right tool for each situation.
Procore's mobile applications for iOS and Android offer full drawing comparison capabilities, making them perfect for field teams or project managers who need to review changes at the construction site. The mobile interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring even non-technical users can easily understand the visual differences between drawing revisions. Some advanced features, such as re-aligning drawings during comparison, are currently available only on mobile platforms.
On desktop platforms, the process follows the same general workflow but with some limitations. Features like re-alignment during comparison might be unavailable on the web browser version. Users who require this additional flexibility might need to use the Windows 10 app or mobile version until desktop updates are released.
For both platforms, ensure you have the latest version of the app or desktop software since updates often include improvements to drawing comparison features. After adjusting comparison sliders to view changes, remember to reset them to avoid altering historical data. Taking advantage of the download feature allows both mobile and desktop users to save comparisons for offline review or sharing with team members.
Drawing revisions represent just one component of Procore's comprehensive construction management ecosystem. Integrating drawing comparisons with other project elements creates a more cohesive management approach.
When managing specifications alongside drawings, ensure each revision is well documented. Procore allows you to create detailed specifications and link them with respective drawing versions, helping track changes not only in visual designs but also in the project's technical documentation. As specifications are revised, the drawing comparison tool illustrates how design parameters have evolved over time.
The drawing comparison tool facilitates collaboration beyond just highlighting changes. Team members can add comments and markups directly on compared drawings, ensuring all stakeholders—from architects to subcontractors—align regarding revisions. This collaborative approach reduces the chance of miscommunication and ensures necessary corrections are flagged early in the process.
For projects with regular tender sets or revisions, bulk overlay provides a normalized way of tracking progress across multiple phases. This feature not only saves time but offers a comprehensive visual history that proves invaluable during client meetings or when onboarding new team members to an ongoing project.
Even with Procore's robust tools, users occasionally encounter challenges when comparing versions. Understanding these common issues and their solutions helps maintain workflow efficiency.
When drawings don't appear in comparison mode, the most likely cause is that the drawing doesn't have multiple revisions uploaded. To resolve this, verify the drawing has at least two versions and, if necessary, upload a new revision following Procore's guidelines. Remember that the comparison tool requires at least two versions to function properly.
The following issues might also affect your comparison experience:
Maintaining a written log of changes alongside visual comparisons provides a valuable reference during meetings. This documentation ensures everyone understands what modifications were made and why, creating a comprehensive record that complements the visual comparisons.
To maximize the benefits of Procore's version comparison features, implementing these best practices will enhance your team's efficiency and communication.
Regularly upload new revisions as changes occur to ensure comparisons always have accurate historical data to reference. This consistent documentation creates a reliable timeline of project evolution that proves invaluable during reviews or when questions arise about design decisions. Make sure all team members involved in reviewing drawings have appropriate permissions to facilitate smoother collaboration and reduce access issues.
Hold periodic training sessions to ensure all users, regardless of technical expertise, feel comfortable using the drawing comparison features. Even experienced construction professionals sometimes overlook powerful features that could save them significant time. These training sessions can highlight shortcuts and advanced techniques that improve workflow efficiency.
The most effective Procore users integrate drawing comparisons with other tools such as:
When managing multiple drawings, take advantage of emailed PDF reports for bulk comparisons. These reports allow quick review of overall project progress without manually opening each drawing, making them perfect for executive summaries or client updates.
Understanding how Procore's comparison tools apply to specific construction scenarios helps illustrate their practical value in everyday project management.
Imagine managing a large commercial project where multiple drawings undergo frequent revisions. By using the drawing comparison feature, you can quickly identify which portions of the design have been updated and verify all changes align with project requirements. During stakeholder meetings, the bulk overlay report provides a visual progress update that clearly communicates design evolution without technical jargon.
When comparing tender sets against issued-for-construction sets, the changes become visually evident with additions in blue and removals in red. This visual feedback ensures clients, contractors, and project managers share a common understanding of modification scope. For complex projects with multiple disciplines, comparing different layers (such as electrical versus mechanical drawings) helps identify potential conflicts before they become costly field issues.
Construction managers find particular value in comparing as-built drawings with original designs. The comparison highlights deviations from plans that might affect future maintenance or renovation work. This documentation proves invaluable during project handover, providing facility managers with clear records of what was actually constructed versus what was initially designed.
Beyond basic comparisons, Procore offers advanced techniques that experienced users leverage to enhance project coordination and documentation quality.
Creating comparison templates for recurring drawing types saves significant setup time when reviewing regular revisions. These templates can pre-select which elements to highlight and which to ignore, focusing attention on critical components while reducing visual noise from minor changes. Teams working on similar projects can share these templates to standardize their review processes.
For complex projects, sequencing comparisons chronologically helps track the evolution of design decisions. Rather than simply comparing the latest version to the previous one, reviewing the entire history of changes provides context for why certain modifications were made. This historical perspective proves particularly valuable when new team members join mid-project or when addressing questions about design intent.
Advanced users also combine drawing comparisons with Procore's markup tools to create comprehensive review documents. By adding annotations directly to comparison overlays, reviewers can provide specific feedback about changes while maintaining the visual context that makes the feedback meaningful. These annotated comparisons become valuable reference documents during coordination meetings.
Procore's drawing comparison functionality represents just one aspect of this comprehensive construction management platform. Understanding how to leverage this feature within the broader ecosystem maximizes your software investment.
Consider integrating comparison workflows with Procore's project management tools to create a seamless information flow. When drawing revisions trigger new tasks or affect existing schedules, linking these elements within Procore ensures nothing falls through the cracks. This integration helps project managers anticipate the ripple effects of design changes on timelines and resource allocation.
Training team members on comparison features pays dividends throughout the project lifecycle. While the basic comparison process is intuitive, advanced features like bulk comparison and integration with other tools require some familiarity. Investing time in comprehensive training ensures your team extracts maximum value from Procore's capabilities.
Regular audits of your comparison processes help identify opportunities for workflow improvements. As projects progress and team members become more comfortable with the tools, revisiting your procedures can reveal shortcuts or best practices that further enhance efficiency. This continuous improvement approach ensures your Procore implementation evolves alongside your project needs.
Procore's drawing comparison functionality transforms how construction teams track and communicate design changes. By implementing the techniques and best practices outlined in this guide, you'll enhance collaboration, reduce errors, and create more transparent documentation throughout your projects.
The ability to visually identify changes between drawing versions eliminates guesswork and reduces the risk of working from outdated information. This clarity benefits everyone from executives making high-level decisions to field teams executing the work. When everyone shares the same understanding of design evolution, projects progress more smoothly with fewer costly rework incidents.
Start by implementing individual drawing comparisons on your current project, then gradually incorporate bulk comparisons and integration with other Procore tools. As your team grows more comfortable with these features, you'll discover additional ways to leverage comparison data for reporting, quality control, and stakeholder communications. The investment in mastering these tools pays dividends through improved project outcomes and more efficient team collaboration throughout the construction lifecycle.