Color Parameter in Configurations

The design table can include a column for configuration-specific colors. The value is a 32-bit integer that specifies RGB (red, green, blue). If no value is specified, zero (black) is used.

If you know the 32-bit integer value of a color, you can type the number directly into the design table in a column with the $COLOR parameter as the header. If you do not know the 32-bit integer value, you can calculate it in the design table with the RGB component values.

To apply a different color to each configuration, display states must be linked to configurations.

Before configuring color:

  1. Right-click a display state at the bottom of the ConfigurationManager tab and click Properties.
  2. In the Display State Properties PropertyManager, under Advanced Options, select Link display states to configurations.
  3. Click .

The following table lists some typical colors, their components, and the equivalent integer values.

Color Red Green Blue Integer
Black 0 0 0 0
Red 255 0 0 255
Orange 255 128 0 33023
Green 0 255 0 65280
Blue 0 0 255 16711680
Purple 255 128 255 16744703
Turquoise 0 255 255 16776960
White 255 255 255 16777215
The configuration specific color applies to shaded mode only unless you select Apply same color to wireframe, HLR and shaded in Model Display options.

Determining the RGB Components of a Color

If you do not know the 32-bit integer value of a color, you can calculate it in the design table with the RGB component values. First, you need to determine the values for the red, green, and blue components of the color.

To determine the red, green, and blue components of a color:

  1. Click Edit Appearance (Standard toolbar) or Edit > Appearance > Appearance.
  2. In the PropertyManager, under Color:
    1. Click a color in the palette.
    2. Select RGB.
    3. Note the component numbers next to Red Component of Color , Green Component of Color , and Blue Component of Color .
  3. Click .

Calculating a Color Value in a Design Table

In a design table, you can calculate the 32-bit integer value for a color by using the values of the red, green, and blue components of the color.

To apply a different color to each configuration, display states must be linked to configurations.

Before configuring color, right-click a display state at the bottom of the ConfigurationManager tab and click Properties. In the Display State Properties PropertyManager, under Advanced Options, select Link display states to configurations. Click .

To calculate a color value in a design table:

  1. In the design table, type $USER_NOTES in cells B2, C2, and D2, and type $COLOR in cell E2. The column header is not case sensitive.
    You may have to insert columns so that these parameters appear in cells B2 through E2.
  2. Type integers in cells B3, C3, and D3 for the red, green, and blue components of a color. The values must be stored as numbers, not text.
  3. Type the following formula in cell E3:
    = MAX(MIN(B3,255),0) + MAX(MIN(C3,255),0)*16*16 + MAX(MIN(D3,255),0)*16*16*16*16
    Make sure there are no extra spaces before the = sign in the cell.

    The formula ensures that each component value is between zero and 255.

  4. Type other color components in the appropriate rows and copy the formula, adjusted for the row number, into the corresponding cells in column E.