Summary: Compare mode gives you visibility to all available versions of a proof. Additionally, it allows you to compare the versions side by side which makes it easy to verify that all markups and comments from previous versions have been made before applying further comments or making a decision on a proof.
Compare mode provides a central location to see all the revision history which could be helpful with any audit trail requirements.
Available for: All reviewers. *Note: reviewers will only see the versions they are a part of.
Features listed in this article:
Compare mode in Proof Viewer
Compare mode is accessed in the upper left corner of the screen. By clicking on this icon, you will see 2 versions side by side.
Each function has been numbered on the screenshot below, along with a description underneath.
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| Press this to comparison mode and go back to the proof viewer. |
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2. Version drop-down | The reviewer can choose which versions they want to compare. Each version will show any markups or comments associated with that version. |
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3. Decision button | You are able to make a decision on the proof while in compare mode. This is a great shortcut if you are viewing the new version against the old and verifying that the changes have been made. Please note that the decision button will only display if you are granted Decision permissions. See Finishing a Review & Understand Proof Decisions for more details. |
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4. Show/Hide comments & Add comment | Click if you want to view comments/markups added to any version. Please note that comments cannot be added to already locked versions. |
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5. Proof display tools | Reviewers can use those tools in order to change proof display the same way as if the proof is viewed in normal mode.
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6. Lock navigation for compared proofs | When you enter compare mode both versions are synchronized together by default. This means that zooming, panning, or changing the proof page on one version will automatically happen on the other. This is designed to make it easier to check the differences between the two versions at the same zoom and page level. You can also click on the comments and the versions will zoom to the correct ratio - this is a fantastic way to compare versions. You can turn off synchronization by clicking on the lock/unlock icon and it will break synchronization. |
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7. Re-sync compared proofs | When you click on this icon, both versions will “fit window” and automatically synchronize the versions back together. This is useful if you are displaying different pages or different zoom levels across the versions. |
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8. Overlay / Side by side mode | The reviewer may decide how the proof versions are displayed. The side-by-side mode shows two versions near each other in separate Proof Viewer windows. Overlay mode displays both proof versions over one another so the differences can be spotted more easily. |
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9. Auto Compare | This pixel-by-pixel comparison allows you to easily highlight the differences between the versions. A more detailed explanation of Pixel by Pixel compare mode is located below. |
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10. Pixel mode color selector | When you are using pixel-by-pixel auto compare you can select the color to highlight the differences between the two versions. This is useful if you have colored text. |
Auto Compare mode
When you click on Auto Compare, it will highlight the differences between the proofs. For example, if you requested that some text be slightly moved or you want to see if a color correction has been made, this is an extremely powerful feature that allows you to be sure even the most subtle changes were applied between versions.
The screenshot below shows two versions side by side. Comment 1 has been clicked on by the reviewer who requested to add the logo. They want to verify that the change was made, so they click on the Auto compare icon. The new version will highlight the old text position allowing the reviewer to confirm that the change was made.
There is also a color picker next to the "Auto compare" icon that allows the reviewer to choose different highlight colors.
Comparing proofs within the same or other folders (Business and Enterprise Editions only)
Comparing proof versions has long been one of the staple features in Ziflow. We’ve extended that capability to compare proofs that are not versioned together. This will help cut down on the “tab sprawl” that often occurs when reviewing multiple individual assets.
For teams that use the Folders to organize their campaign assets, proofs within the same folders or different folders can be compared, allowing team members to review all project assets and check them against each other using all of the Ziflow comparison functionalities.
Once you enter proof compare mode, you will notice a folder icon at the top bar above the proof image.
This button will open a proof list from which you can choose a proof available for comparison. By default, Ziflow will display proofs within the same folder as the proof that you're currently viewing. If you want to compare proof residing in some other folder, simply browse through the list of folders and select the wanted asset. From that point, you can select the proof that you want to open in comparison mode.
The proof you selected will immediately open in the Proof Viewer next to the proof image you wanted to compare it with.
Copying comments from one to another
(feature available on Starter + editions)
With compare mode, you can also copy specific comments from one version to another. This process starts with opening the required versions in compare mode, opening the comment that you want to move, and then selecting the copy comment option from the list.
This will move the comment along with the markup to the selected version.
Additional Information:
To use the compare function, you must have permission to view all versions of the proof that you wish to compare.
If the reviewer clicks on compare and only one version exists then both windows will be filled with the same proof version.
Ziflow Viewer allows comparing only static proofs. Video, audio, HTML5, and live websites are not supported yet.
You have the option to decide if the newer version should be displayed on the right or left by changing the setting Ziflow Viewer configuration menu.
