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System Colors Options

Set the colors in the user interface: backgrounds, drawing paper, sketch status, dimensions, annotations, etc.

 Depending on the capabilities of your graphics card, you can also use RealView and PhotoWorks to apply lighting, shadows, reflections, etc. to models in the graphics area.  The system colors you select interact with these rendering tools.

To set system colors:

  1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) or Tools, Options.

  2. Select Colors.

  3. Select from the options described below, then click OK.

Reset All returns all system options, not only those on the active page, to the system defaults.

Current color scheme

The list box provides a quick way to apply color schemes.

  • Choose from various background color schemes such as In the Spotlight or Burnt Toast.

The list of background schemes is derived from image files that have been saved as schemes.

  • Choose one of three highlight schemes Blue, Green, and Orange  as the highlight color for selected faces in models.

Color scheme settings

Select an item in the list to display its color. Click Edit to change the color.

Default appearance. Name of current default appearance. Links to help about the default appearance.

Background appearance. Select one:

  • Use document scene background. The scene background that is saved with the document is used when it is opened in SolidWorks.

We recommend that you set a scene for your model and then select this option. SolidWorks provides scenes with backgrounds ranging from plain white to factory interiors. With RealView enabled, the SolidWorks scenes provide lighting and background reflections. You can set a default scene that appears with every new model by updating document templates.

  • Plain. The color scheme selected for the Viewport Background is used as the background color.

  • Gradient. The color scheme selected for the Top and Bottom Gradient is used as the background color.

  • Image file. Various background files are provided with the application. Those that are saved as schemes correspond  to the color schemes listed in Current color scheme. Browse to select a system file or any other image file.

Specifying an Image file takes precedence over schemes in the Current color scheme list.

Reset All To Defaults. Resets all system colors back to the system default values.

Save As Scheme. Saves the set of colors you defined. After you save a color scheme, you can select it from Current color scheme.

Additional Options

Use specified color for drawings paper color. Applies the colors selected for Drawings, Paper Color, Drawings, Visible Model Edges, and Drawings, Hidden Model Edges, to drawing sheets.

Use specified color for Shaded With Edges mode. Applies the specified color to model edges when the model is in Shaded With Edges mode. Specify a color for Edges in Shaded With Edges Mode under Color scheme settings. When cleared, the edges are the same color as the model, but slightly darker.

Use specified colors when editing parts in assemblies. Applies the specified colors to the faces, features, and bodies of parts in assemblies. When cleared, the specified colors apply to the part names in the FeatureManager design tree. Specify colors for Assembly, Edit Part, Assembly, Non-Edit Parts, and Assembly, Hidden Lines of Edit Part under Color scheme settings.

Go To Document Colors. If a part or assembly is open when you set system color options, you can go to the Colors options on the Document Properties tab to set the feature colors for models.

 



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