Choosing background colors

The appearance of your models is affected by the difference in contrast between the model colors and the colors in the viewport background. You can improve this contrast by changing the color or colors displayed in the viewport background. Abaqus/CAE provides two color selections: you can display a single color that floods the entire viewport background, or you can create a gradient background that blends two different colors.

Related Topics
Using display lists
Choosing a highlight method
Choosing a translucency mode
Controlling drag mode

Context:

Abaqus/CAE implements your background color selections for every viewport in your session.

  1. Locate the background color options.

    From the main menu bar, select ViewGraphics Options.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the Graphics Options dialog box.

  2. From the Viewport Background field, select one of the following:

    • Solid to choose one color for the viewport background

    • Gradient to choose the top and bottom colors used to draw the background as a gradual blend from the top of the viewport to the bottom of the viewport

  3. Select the viewport background color or colors.

    1. Click a color sample .

      Abaqus/CAE displays the Select Color dialog box.

    2. Use one of the methods in the Select Color dialog box to select a new color. For more information, see Customizing colors.
    3. Click OK to close the Select Color dialog box.

      The color sample changes to the selected color.

    4. For gradient backgrounds you can select both the top and bottom colors directly; or you can select the top color, then click Auto-Select to have Abaqus/CAE select the bottom color based on a variation of the top color.
    5. Sketches or X–Y plots may not display clearly with a gradient background. For these views Abaqus/CAE displays a solid background even when you have specified a gradient background. To disable this behavior, toggle off Allow override.

  4. Click OK to implement your changes and to close the dialog box.

    Abaqus/CAE implements your background color selections for every viewport in your session. Your changes are saved for the duration of the session.