Project Brief

CPU Ready

An architect's personal workflow experiment

Stop hunting for revisions.

A 100% local PDF diff app for architects. No cloud upload, no GPU requirement, and built to run on standard corporate laptops.

Download .EXE View Public Roadmap

Cloud Uploads Required

<3s

Average Processing Time

Cost Per Seat

Windows 64-bit | Portable WPF App | CPU Optimized

Drawing Review Preview

Overlay CompareOriginalRevisionSheet A-102 / Rev C

Processing complete - 1.4s

Added Lines

Removed Lines

Base Plan

Overlay view highlights additions in green and removals in red.

Runtime Dashboard

Live Metrics

Pages Compared

142 sheets

Shinjuku Tower / Rev C

Changes Detected

2,847 delta

Processing time: 4m 12s

Engine Status

Ready

CPU / 8 cores / 14.2% load

Statistics

Performance Data

Performance & Usage Statistics

Real-world data from architectural projects

Cloud uploads required

100% offline processing

<3s

Average processing time per page

CPU-optimized algorithms

142

Maximum pages processed in single comparison

Shinjuku Tower project, Rev C

100%

Data security compliance

Zero external data transmission

Total cost per user

Free for personal and commercial use

2026

Project started

Personal weekend project

Core Capabilities

Drawing-Centric Workflow

Workflow Optimization over Manual Checks

Manual visual checks of massive drawing sets drain focus, kill productivity, and introduce human error. This offline tool automates the visual delta, turning hours of tedious cross-checking into a frictionless, seconds-long process so architects can focus on actual design.

Sheet Review Panel

Diff overlay showing highlighted drawing changes

Local Data Security

Your drawings stay on your machine. No uploads and no external processing pipeline. Teams can run comparisons behind corporate firewalls with predictable security behavior.

Sheet Review Panel

Offline desktop app interface with local files

AEC DX Labs

Yes - ideal for NDAs and sensitive data

Cloud Tools

Limited - depends on provider security

AEC DX Labs PDF Diff is designed specifically for architects and construction professionals who need secure, fast, and reliable PDF comparison without the risks and costs associated with cloud-based solutions.

Product Planning

Now / Next / Later

Public Roadmap

Transparent priorities tied to real drawing-review bottlenecks.

Now

Core Visual Diff Engine

Green/red overlays for rapid revision confirmation.

100% Offline Processing

All document handling remains local.

PDF Diff Report Export

Share revision summaries with non-users.

Later

Batch Folder Processing

Compare entire drawing sets in one run.

Requested by field teams handling weekly issue cycles.

BIM Integration Exploration

Bridge drawing diff context with model workflows.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About AEC DX Labs PDF Diff

Is AEC DX Labs PDF Diff really free?▼

Yes, AEC DX Labs PDF Diff is 100% free. It was developed as a personal self-improvement project (自己研鑽) and is not for profit purposes. The tool can be used for both personal and commercial projects without any licensing restrictions.

Does this PDF diff tool require an internet connection?▼

No, this is a 100% offline tool. All PDF processing happens locally on your computer with no cloud upload or internet connection required. This makes it ideal for projects with strict data security requirements.

What are the system requirements for AEC DX Labs PDF Diff?▼

Windows 64-bit operating system with minimum 4GB RAM. The tool is CPU-optimized and runs on standard corporate laptops without requiring a GPU or high-end hardware. Typical processing time for comparing 100+ page drawing sets is under 3 seconds per page.

Is my data secure when using this offline PDF diff tool?▼

Absolutely. Your drawings never leave your computer. All processing is done locally with no uploads to external servers or cloud services. This 100% offline approach ensures complete data security for confidential architectural drawings and construction documents.

How does the PDF comparison work in AEC DX Labs PDF Diff?▼

The tool overlays two PDF files (original and revision) and highlights additions in green and deletions in red. This visual delta makes it easy to spot changes between drawing revisions at a glance. The comparison is performed locally using CPU-optimized algorithms, with typical processing times under 3 seconds for standard architectural drawings.

Can I use AEC DX Labs PDF Diff for commercial projects?▼

Yes, you can use this tool for any project, including commercial work. The tool is free to use with no licensing restrictions, making it suitable for both personal projects and professional architectural firms handling real construction projects.

What makes AEC DX Labs PDF Diff different from cloud-based PDF comparison tools?▼

AEC DX Labs PDF Diff is 100% offline and processes files locally on your computer, unlike cloud-based tools that require uploading drawings to external servers. This eliminates data security risks, works without internet access, and is ideal for projects with strict confidentiality requirements. Additionally, it's CPU-optimized to run on standard corporate laptops without requiring expensive GPU hardware.

How long does it take to compare PDF drawings with AEC DX Labs PDF Diff?▼

Processing time is typically under 3 seconds per page for standard architectural drawings. The CPU-optimized engine can handle large drawing sets efficiently. For example, a 142-page drawing set can be processed in approximately 4-5 minutes, with all processing happening locally on your computer.

Does AEC DX Labs PDF Diff work with BIM files?▼

Currently, AEC DX Labs PDF Diff works with PDF files exported from BIM software like Revit, ArchiCAD, or Vectorworks. While it doesn't directly process native BIM formats (.rvt, .pln, etc.), you can export your BIM models as PDF drawings and then use the diff tool to compare revisions. Future updates may include direct BIM file support.

Can I compare multiple drawing sets at once?▼

The current version compares two PDF files at a time (original vs. revision). However, you can quickly compare multiple drawing sets by loading different file pairs. Future roadmap items include batch folder processing for comparing entire drawing sets in one run, which is particularly useful for weekly revision cycles in construction projects.

Maker Context

Section 03

I am an architect based in Tokyo. I noticed that manually cross-checking drawing revisions was a massive structural bottleneck in our daily workflow.

To understand how software products solve these inefficiencies, I took this on as a personal weekend research project. Using AI tools, I mapped the product requirements and built a secure, offline app to test the concept. Because it successfully optimized my own workflow, I am publishing it as a free, experimental tool for the AEC community.

100% Free / Personal Learning Project

This app was developed for personal self-improvement and is not for profit purposes.