Success Stories

Success Storie

Hong Kong Housing Authority introduces VHCompare in their project management

VHSoft's drawing comparison system, VHCompare has been awarded the tender of Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) - "Supply, Delivery, Installation, Commissioning, Maintenance, Training and Other Related Services for Provision of Drawing Comparison Software". VHCompare provides an efficient tool for HA's staff in different departments on drawing comparison, such as architect, structure and building services. With the pleasant and customizable comparison environment, they are able to understand and interpret the results quickly and easily. Higher accuracy and quality of drawings can be maintained and better working efficiency can be achieved. 

The Clients

Architectural Services Department	Hong Kong Housing Authority	The Bank of East Asia, Ltd.

Maxim's Caterers Ltd	Hsin Chong Construction Co., Ltd.	Sanfield Building Contractors Ltd.	Shui On Construction Company Ltd.

Ryoden [Holdings] Ltd.	Hip Hing Construction Co., Ltd.	InterContinental Hotels Group	CLP Power Hong Kong Limited

Chun Wo Construction & Engineering Co., Ltd.	Hong Kong KDK Ltd.	Shun Hing Holdings Company Limited	Chinachem Group

Chan's Creative School	Hewlett-Packard HK SAR Limited	EdExchange Limited

3M Hong Kong Limited
Andrew Lee King Fun & Associates - Architects
APT Engineering Consultant Ltd.
Atkins China Ltd.
Au Postford Consultants Ltd.
Babtie Asia
Chesterton Petty Ltd.
China State Construction Engrg. (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Chung Wah Nan Architects Ltd.
Dickson Construction Co., Ltd.
Earthasia (International) Ltd.
J. Roger Preston Ltd.
Maunsell E&M Consultants Ltd.
New World Development Company Ltd.
Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd.
Parsons Brinckeroff (Asia) Ltd.
Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd.
Shun Cheong Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd.
Simon Kwan & Associates Ltd.
Sinclair Knight Merz (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Swire Sita Waste Services Ltd.
Tonic Industries Holdings Ltd.
Twin Way Consulting Engineering Ltd.
Van Shung Chong Holdings Ltd.
WCWP International Ltd.
Wong & Tai Associates Ltd.
Wong Pak Lam & Associates Consulting Engineers & Architects Ltd.

中國水電顧問集團投資有限公司

澳大利亞柏濤（墨爾本）建築設計公司

中國華西工程設計建設有限公司

北京市建築設計研究院

中國建築設計諮詢公司深圳分公司

中國建築西南勘察設計研究院深圳分院

中國建築西北設計研究院

深圳華森建築與工程設計顧問有限公司

深圳市寶安建築設計院

上海勘測設計研究院

重慶市人防建築設計研究所

廣東省建工設計院

廣州伯盛建築設計事務所

佛山建築設計院有限公司

福建省教育建築設計院

福州世正建設工程設計有限公司

福建省華廈建築設計院

福州朱薛陳建築設計事務所

廣州莫伯治建築師事務所

廣州中人建築設計有限公司

福州遠步藝術裝飾有限公司

福建泛亞建設設計有限公司

上海章明建築設計事務所有限公司

福建省教育設計院

清遠市建築勘察設計院有限公司

福建省華廈建築設計院

佛山市南海城鄉建築設計有限公司

南海中韻建築設計有限公司

福建晨光建築設計院

廣州中琛建築諮詢有限公司

深圳市華匯設計有限公司

深圳市中成建築設計顧問有限公司

梁黃顧設計顧問（深圳）有限公司

深圳市新都市建築設計顧問有限公司

博羅縣建築設計院

濟寧市勘測院

深圳宗灝建築師事務所有限公司

汕頭市城市建設開發設計公司

深圳築遠建築設計顧問有限公司

中科建築設計研究院有限公司(東莞設計部)

深圳市美智設計有限公司

蕪湖市設計研究院東莞分院

哈爾濱市建築設計院東莞分院

深圳南油工程設計有限公司

興漢（廣州）建築設計有限公司

益陽市建築設計院

深圳華森建築與工程設計顧問有限公司廣州分公司

昆明民用建築設計研究院有限公司

廣州市緯綸建築設計顧問有限公司

佛山城協建築規劃設計院

徐州久鼎建築設計諮詢有限公司

昆明市五華勘測設計院

重慶市中設市政工程設計有限公司

江蘇建湖建築設計院

徐州彭城建築設計諮詢有限公司

陝西都市建築設計有限公司

海口市建築設計院

林同棪國際（重慶）工程諮詢有限公司

福建閩發建築設計事務所

海南泓景建築設計有限公司

深圳市湯樺建築師事務所

北京中外建建築設計有限公司深圳分公司

深圳市華築工程設計有限公司

深圳華粵城市建設工程設計有限公司

深圳市華築工程設計有限公司重慶公司

廣州海森度假溫泉設計建造有限公司

賀州市勘察測繪研究院

北海市勘察院

長沙市規劃設計院有發責任公司深圳分公司

高士爾國際（英國）設計顧問有限公司

太原柱石建築設計有限公司

煙臺恒源建築設計院

大連源潤建築設計有限公司

吉林省建築設計院大連分院

惠州市建築設計院有限公司

上海班申建築設計有限公司

廣州市天河建築設計院

深圳市海普建築設計有限公司

廣東省建築設計研究院深圳分院

香港重威工程顧問有限公司

大連建築技術發展中心設計研究院有限公司

漢沙楊建築工程設計有限公司深圳分公司

郴州市城市規劃設計院

重慶東興建築設計有限公司

重慶長江工程勘察院

深圳市華僑城天華建築設計有限公司

深圳粵鵬建築設計研究院

深圳市森築建築設計諮詢有限公司

廣東新豪斯建築設計有限公司

北京畢路德建築顧問有限公司

廣州市天河頣景園林發展有限公司

廣州進維建築諮詢有限公司

廣州莫伯治建築師事務所

中國蘭州市城鄉建設設計院珠海分院

長宇（珠海）設計公司

廣州中人集團

廣西壯族自治區工業建築設計研究院

佛山市格致建築設計院

廣東惠州大亞灣建築設計院

佛山市南海城鄉建築設計有限公司

南海中韻建築設計有限公司

深圳市鵬之藝建築設計有限公司

汕頭市城建工程設計院

濟寧市建築設計研究院

昆明劉家駿建築工程設計事務所

內蒙古築業工程勘察設計有限公司

五洲工程設計研究院深圳分院

廣州市恒德建築設計顧問有限公司

中山市政和建築設計有限公司

蕪湖市設計研究院東莞分院

中科建築設計研究院有限公司

益陽市建築設計院

江蘇建湖建築設計院

海口市建築設計院

海南泓景建築設計有限公司

深圳市湯樺建築師事務所

招商地產

保利地產

碧桂園地產

國家電力公司華東勘測設計研究院

中國水電顧問集團昆明勘測設計研究院

中國水電顧問集團中南勘測設計研究院重慶分院

福建省水利水電勘測設計研究院

黃山開創電力勘察設計院

華禹水利水電工程勘測設計有限公司

廣西柳州水利電力勘測設計研究院

周氏電業有限公司

中山市水利水電設計諮詢有限公司

成都市水利電力勘測設計院

玉林水利電力勘測設計研究院

佛山市水利水電建築設計有限公司

佛山市順德區水利水電勘測設計院有限公司

重慶市渝北水利電力建築勘測設計院

長治市水利勘測設計研究院

東莞市水利勘測設計院有限公司

密雲縣水利工程建設項目辦公室

重慶渝南水利電力建築勘測設計院

東莞市水利勘測設計院有限公

佛山市南海南源水利水電勘測設計院有限公司

中國城市規劃設計研究院深圳分院

城市建設研究院深圳分院

深圳市道克築城景觀設計有限公司

城市空間規劃設計有限公司

山西省城鄉規劃設計研究院

福建省中景建築設計院

中國蘭州市城鄉建設設計院珠海分院

長宇（珠海）設計公司

廣州市天河頣景園林發展有限公司

汕頭市華南通信規劃設計有限公司

深圳市清華苑建築設計有限公司

深圳市美藝豐環境藝術設計公司

深圳市尼克藝術設計有限公司

鄭州市規劃勘測設計研究院

衡陽市規劃設計院

中山市規劃設計院

徐州彭城建築設計諮詢有限公司

順德市規劃設計院有限公司

中山市政和建築設計有限公司

海口市城市規劃設計研究院

廈門路橋景觀藝術有限公司

重慶都會城市規劃設計研究院有限公司海南分院

重慶都會城市規劃設計研究院有限公司

亞泰都會(北京)城市規劃設計研究院有限公司

常州風景園林設計有限公司

地茂景觀設計諮詢(上海)有限公司

深圳市拓維空間設計有限公司

鄭州市規劃勘測設計研究院

衡陽市規劃設計院

佛山城協建築規劃設計院

順德市規劃設計院有限公司

海口市城市規劃設計研究院

長沙市規劃設計院有發責任公司深圳分公司

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VHCompare - Drawings Comparison Software

VHCompare - Drawings Comparison Software

 
Comparing subsequent revision changes of engineering drawings can be an
exhaustive and time-consuming task.VHCompare highlights the differences in a fast and explicit manner that even non-professionals can understand at a glance!

Facilitate Accurate Drawings Submission of Government Projects  

In the development of any construction project, there are generally hundreds, if not thousands, of engineering drawings, covering every aspect of the construction. These drawings especially those for Combined Services (CSD), have to be modified from time to time during the course of the development which requires plenty of care and concentration. Comparing revision changes of these professional engineering drawings can be an exhaustive and time-consuming task! Fail to modify the required parts, pile layout and combined building services drawings in particular, may result in delay of work progress and subsequently, a huge amount of loss in terms of time and cash.
Moreover, consultants and contractors nowadays are required to provide design drawings, shop drawings and/or as-constructed drawings in CAD format under the respective consultancy agreements and works contracts during the tendering and constructing processes of HKSAR Government projects.It is worth to note the consequences of submitting CAD drawings that are not accord with the CSWP (Computer-Aided-Drafting Standard for Works Projects) of relative Department, as it can result in delays, re-work and even financial losses to your business!
 
 
How to ensure that the CAD drawings from other consultants / contractors who submitted to the relative Departments are correctly amended?

How to effectively manage a huge amount of CAD drawings with numerous versions within a short period of time?

Using a NT Server or a document management system would not be good enough to tackle the above issues!

But with VHCompare , these are not problems to you anymore!

VHCompare is a powerful tool for you to quickly compare all entities drawn on two different versions of DWG/DXF files based on their properties. It can also compare entities that are drawn on different areas and coordination systems, even the external reference files of the drawing versions. Differences between drawing versions can be accurately identified and mix-up of drawing versions are eliminated.

	Speed up work progress - Quickly & precisely distinguish the differences on drawings
	Quality assurance - Drawing changes can ALL be recognized! Higher accuracy be maintained!
	Convenience for site inspection - speedy print out of compared drawings, facilitate project teams to monitor site progress easily!

Comparison Presented Quickly and Clearly

Immediately upon uploading both drawing versions, the comparison differences are indicated in blue and red respectively, leaving the common parts in black. Even a novice can understand and interpret the results quickly and easily. The overlay function displays the differences more explicitly.

Pleasant and Customizable Comparison Environment

VHCompare not only delivers accurate comparisons, but also a user-friendly working environment for architects, structural engineers, building services coordinators and project managers of fitting out firms to easily manage their drawings of different projects.
VHCompare is compatible to any of your document management system!! Standalone version is available for simple deployment and we also provide customization to well suit your needs.


Summary

UNIQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Descriptions 

Print Out - The comparison result with differences' highlighted can be produced by both color and monochromic printers.

Compare Attributes - Compare two AutoCAD® drawings with all attributes at element's properties level and highlight the difference.

Multi Area Comparison - Multi area can be selected for comparison by choosing one base point in each area

Compare Drawings' Properties - User can select specific properties to compare including layer, linetype, text, color, lineweight, length and co-ordinate. It can also compare drawings both in world coordination system and in user coordination system.

Support Commonly Used File Types - Support .dwg and .dxf format generated by all software.

Support Chinese Language - Support both Traditional and Simplified Chinese language in AutoCAD® file format (.shx and .ttf)

Compare Drawing Space - Compare both model space and paper space.

Compare External Reference - Drawings with external reference can be compared. It can also check the external reference drawings file information and compare them separately.

Select Layers - Choose your designated layers for comparison

Compare Viewports - Can open or close viewports in drawing files and compare their properties.

High Independency - VHCompare is executable without any dependence on other software packages including AutoCAD®.

Export Results - Comparison results can be exported and stored as a graphic file in BMP, JPG format.

Using Compare-Standalone Edition

Using Compare-Standalone Edition

VHCompare^TM provides two types of drawing comparison modes: World Coordinate System (WCS) comparing mode and User Coordinate System (UCS) comparing mode. You can choose either of the comparing modes depending on their own circumstance.

Comparison based on WCS

 the“Compare” button.

 the "return" button.

The World Coordinate System based comparing mode is the basic mode commonly used in drawing comparison process. In most cases, the modifications of a drawing plan are carried out based on the previous drawing version, without changing the drawing’s coordinate system. Simply compare the two versions based on their original World Coordinate System will produce satisfying results.

To compare two drawings based on their original World Coordinate System (WCS), just click on the “Compare” button. The discrepant portions in the two drawings will be indicated in red and blue color lines, as the diagram shown below. 

In general, the drawing elements that show in red color in the original drawing have been further modified. The modified elements are shown in “blue” color in the later version. To undo the comparison result, click on the "return" button.

Comparison based on UCS

In certain special cases, using World Coordinate System mode to compare two drawings may produce meaningless result.  For example, if the two drawings subjected to compare are drawn on different coordinate system, or if the drawing’s coordinate system is altered by the change of viewport, or if you need to compare objects that are constructed on Model space or Paper space, meaningless results will be produced by WCS comparing mode. In such circumstance, you should compare two drawings using a User Coordinate System.

Select Base Point

 the  “Select Base Point” button

To compare the two drawings based on a User Coordinate System (UCS) defined by you, you must select the base-points for comparison first. Click on the  “Select Base Point” button on the Toolbar. Notice the cursor will change to a cross shape.

Use the cursor to select a straight line, a polyline, a line of a polygon or a line of a block on the original drawing, the end-point or intersection-point of the line will become a base-point for comparison. Then select the correspondent line in the later version drawing so that the same base-point is also selected, as the diagram shown below.

Please note that the cursor of base point will be different according to the drawing space it is applied to. For details please refer to “Comparison in Paper Space and Model Space”.

Finally click on the  “Compare” button to commence the comparison process. VHCompare^TM will show the differences between the two drawings in red and blue colors, as the diagram shown below.

If you use the Toggle View tool on the two compared drawings, they will overlay on each other according to the base-point, as the diagram shown below:

Note: Toggle View tool is only effective for the base-point comparing mode but not the select area comparing mode (Next section). 2 compared drawings will overlay on its own base-points when they are in select area comparing mode.

..............

Description of Tools-Standalone Edition

Description of Tools-Standalone Edition

VHCompare provides a set of tools to assist you in comparing the drawings. You must familiar with the functions of these tools to achieve better work efficiency.

 Explode Block Tool

In certain cases, the blocks within a drawing cannot be compared correctly. You can click on thisbutton to select the “Explode block” tool to disintegrate the blocks before comparing them. For further details, please refer to “ Comparing External Reference File”.

 

Change background color

Click on this  button to select the “Change background color” tool, then click on a drawing with normal white background. Its background color will change to black. Repeat the above action, the background color will change back to white. This tool is for better viewing comfort.

Show only Additions and Omissions

Click on this button to select the “Show only additions and omission” tool. Now only the discrepant parts will be displayed on the viewing windows. The other area where no modification is made will become invisible. This function can be done only after comparison.

Show External Reference Information

You need to use this  button “Show External Reference Information” tool to locate these X-reference files. If you want to compare these external reference drawings, just click on them and press “Compare”.  For more details of this tool, please refer to “Comparing External Reference Files”.

Show Viewport Information

When drawings that are subjected to compare include different viewport, the “Show Viewport Information” tool button will be activated, as shown below:

Click on this  button and the following information box showing coordinates information of all viewports will appear. You can "√"  the box to close or open a viewport information. You can click on the “Clear All Viewports” button to close all viewports, or click on the “Check All Viewports” button to open all. Then click “OK” to leave. 

In the above viewport information window, VHCompareÔ has detected two drawing files’ paper space viewport information. If the viewports of the two drawings have identical properties (e.g. X and Y coordination, height, width), the system will compare their scales. If the scales are different, one of the drawings will be indicated with a “*” mark, as the diagram shown below:

 

Pan Tool

Click on this  button to select the “Pan” tool. Notice the cursor changes to a hand shape. Press and hold the cursor on a drawing to move it around.

Zoom Tool

Click on this button to select the “Zoom” tool. Notice the cursor changes to a magnifier shape. Click the mouse and move the cursor upwards to enlarge the drawing, or downwards to shrink the drawing.

Zoom Windows

Click on this button to select the “Zoom Window” tool. Notice the cursor changes to a cross shape. Click and drag the cursor to define a rectangular area, then click the mouse again to zoom in.

Zoom Extent

Click on this button to select the “Zoom Extent” tool, a drawing will be zoomed to show the full picture within the viewing frame.

Toggle View

After the comparison process is completed, click on this button to select the “Toggle View” tool, the two comparing drawings will overlay on each other so that all the changes between different versions can be identify at a glance.

Show Only One Color

This tool is only effective in the toggle-view mode. Click on this  button to select the “Show only one color” tool after selecting the toggle view tool, then click on the two icons: 

  to show either the blue or the red parts only. Through this way, the original version of the drawing plan and how it is changed can be clearly displayed. To switch to the normal-view mode, simply click on the first  button again.

Operate Synchronously

This tool is only effective in the normal-view mode. Click on this button to select the “Operate Synchronously” tool after deselecting the toggle view tool. Now, any operation that is performed in one viewing window will work simultaneously in the other. To switch off this tool, simply click on the  button again.

Set Both Extents

This tool is only effective in the normal-view mode. Click on this  button to select the “Set both extents” tool. Now, the zoom extent operation will be performed to both drawing views simultaneously.

Select base point

If you need to compare two drawings that are drawn on different coordinate systems, you can select the  “Select Base Point” tool from the toolbar to define a common coordinate system so that they can be compared on a common ground. For more details please refer to “ Select Base Point”.

Select Box

You can use the  “Select Box” tool from the toolbar to define a similar area in the two drawings that are subjected to compare. The defined area as well as the rest of the drawings will be compared. For more details please refer to “Select Area”.

Compare Selected Box

If you want to compare certain objects of the drawing files without processing the entire drawing, you can use the  “Compare Selected Box” tool to define an area covering all objects that are subject to compare. The comparison process will be carried out within the defined area. For more details please refer to “Select Area”.

Layer Tool

If a drawing file contains many layers, you can use the  “Layer” tool to select certain layers to compare, so as to save comparison process time, enhance the comparison efficiency and easy to identify difference. Click on the button to select the “Layer” tool, the following dialog box will appear.

You can select the same combination of layers within the two drawings and click “OK” to begin comparing. You may also press the “Clear All” button to close all layers, or press the “Check All” button to activate all layers.

Print

After finishing comparison, you can use the Print tool to print out the drawing as well as objects that have been modified. You can click on the print tool button to select a certain version of drawing to print out.

If you choose monochromic printing mode, all modified objects on the drawing will be blown-up and then printed out. If you choose color-printing mode, all modified objects on the drawing will be printed in a different color.

For better printing effect, you should alter the width: height ratio of the drawing window to fit the original drawing, so that a drawing printout that is best fit to the printing paper can be obtained.

For example, if you need to print a landscape oriented drawing, you should alter the width: height ratio of the drawing window to a landscape ratio, at the same time set the printer to landscape paper mode, so as to get a printout that is best fit to the printing paper. (According to standard landscape ratio)

If you set the width: height ratio of the drawing window to a portrait ratio, at the same time also set the printer to portrait paper mode, the printout result will not be so good.  Even if you set the printer to landscape paper mode, the printout result will be less satisfying.