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Comparing Versions in the Legacy Ziflow Viewer
Comparing Versions in the Legacy Ziflow Viewer

Use various tools to compare proof versions. These are used to verify that all changes have been applied to the new version.

Updated over 10 months ago

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.

Reviewer with comment permissions

How does it work?

Compare mode is accessed in the upper left corner of the screen. By clicking on this icon, you will see two versions side by side.

Comparing versions in the Legacy Ziflow Viewer

Each function has been numbered on the screenshot below and a description underneath.

Exit compare mode button in the Legacy Viewer

1. Exit button

Press this to comparison mode and go back to the proof viewer.

Version drop-down in the Legacy Viewer

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.

Submit decision or Finish Review button in the Legacy Viewer

3. Decision button

You are able to make a decision on the proof while in compare mode. This is a great shortcut if you view the new version against the old and verify that the changes have been made. Please note that the decision button will only display if you are granted “Decision” permissions.

Synchronization on/off button in the Legacy Viewer

4. Synchronization on/off

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.

Re-sync compare versions button in the Legacy Viewer

5. Re-sync compare versions

When you click on this icon, both versions will “fit window” and automatically synchronize the versions back together. This is useful if you display different pages or zoom levels across the versions.

Overlay mode button in the Legacy Viewer

Side by side mode button in the Legacy Viewer

6. Overlay / Side by side mode

The reviewer may decide how the proof versions are displayed. The side-by-side mode shows two versions in separate Proof Viewer windows near each other. Overlay mode displays both proof versions over one another so the differences can be spotted more easily.

Auto compare button in the Legacy Viewer

7. Auto Compare

This pixel-by-pixel comparison allows you to highlight the differences between versions easily. A more detailed explanation of Pixel by Pixel compare mode is located below.

Pixel mode button in the Legacy Viewer

8. 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 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 the addition of the logo. They want to verify that the change was made, so they click on the Auto compare icon (shown with the large red arrow). The new version will highlight the old text position, allowing the reviewer to confirm the change.

Using auto compare mode in the Legacy Viewer

A color picker is next to the Auto compare icon that allows the reviewer to choose different highlight colors.

Color picker while using auto compare mode in the Legacy Viewer


Comparing proofs within the same folder (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 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.

Comparing proofs within the same folder in the Legacy Viewer

This button will open a proof list from which you can choose a proof available for comparison. From that point, you can select the proof that you want to open in comparison mode.

Comparing proofs within the same folder in the Legacy Viewer

The proof you selected will immediately open in the Legacy Viewer next to the proof image you wanted to compare it with.

Proofs displayed in comparison mode

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 allows the comparison of static and video proofs.

  • You have the option to decide if the newer version should be displayed on the right or left by changing the settings Legacy Proof Viewer configuration menu.

    Legacy Proof Viewer configuration menu

Supporting material:

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