topic Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book in Modeling

Editing black texts in Layout Book

Electric Flute — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 22:28:43 GMT

How do you guys edit black color texts in layouts?

I just can't see my texts when editing them because of the also AC black editing box... I can't find a way to change the black color of the box to white or something else.
Thanks,

WinXP AC10

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Dwight — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 23:39:18 GMT

In my world, the background of the text entry box is the same as the drawing background. Do you use a black background?

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Electric Flute — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 12:51:47 GMT

Yes you are right, I use black background like AutoCAD.
It should be an option to also change just the layoutbook background.

Is just me using black background in AC? If anyone is also using, what do you deal with this?

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Stress Co_ — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:57:36 GMT

Dedicate a pen (for text) in a contrasting color to view and edit in your "modeling pen set".

Set that pen's color in to black in your "publishing pen set". ... so you can see it when you print.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Da3dalus — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 20:44:06 GMT

I agree this is a problem. I typically change my text color temporarily to edit it, then switch it back to black. For this reason, among others, you want to make sure your plotting set has some colors in it, even if you typically don't use color plotting.

Yes, me and everyone in my office have developed the bad habit of modelling in a black background. I know we should switch, and you're welcome to come try to tell my office that. They're likely to become a violent mob.

You can't just use a different pen set (conveniently). It's your layout that's being edited, so you should have it set on your plotting set, in which the text is black.

Good luck!

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Djordje — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 03:53:29 GMT

Although using black as a background for the modleing is wrong and painful, that can be understood - you don't dispute the taste. But, for the layout, even the BlackBackgroundCAD does have the white background ...

"It is like that" is not a good reason ...

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Electric Flute — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 21:31:47 GMT

Djordje wrote:
Although using black as a background for the modleing is wrong and painful, that can be understood - you don't dispute the taste.

Why it is "wrong and painful"?
Sorry, but if it isn't the best for you, it doesn't mean it is wrong and painful. Alias I changed to black BG to be less "painful" to my eyes.

But, for the layout, even the BlackBackgroundCAD does have the white background ...

Sorry, I don't get you here. Could you please elaborate it?

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 02:44:15 GMT

Electric wrote:
Djordje wrote:
Although using black as a background for the modleing is wrong and painful, that can be understood - you don't dispute the taste.
Why it is "wrong and painful"?
Sorry, but if it isn't the best for you, it doesn't mean it is wrong and painful. Alias I changed to black BG to be less "painful" to my eyes.

Everyone I know who has tried it both ways prefers the white (or off-white) background, but I have also known a few who don't want to change from black and that's fine too. There are definite disadvantages though.

But, for the layout, even the BlackBackgroundCAD does have the white background ...
Sorry, I don't get you here. Could you please elaborate it?

I believe Djordje means that AutoCAD typically has a white background in paperspace.

I thought there was a separate setting for the layout background color, but since I never use black I haven't had occasion to test it.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Djordje — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:44:19 GMT

Electric wrote:
Why it is "wrong and painful"?

The black background is from the times when computers could not run more than 4 or 8 colours. The pen weight by colour is a relict from the same times - just mix in a real pen plotter.

If your eyes hurt on white background, check your monitor settings, your lighting, and your eyes - because everyone that I have seen using Archicad withthe black background did so for one reason only: habit. Ergonomically, the black background is the worst you can do for your eyes.

The default Archicad colours and the set-up are wysiwyg. Which the black background is not, except if you always do coloured pens on a black sheet?

Yes, Matthew, I did think that even AutoCAD has white background in the paper space ... with the yellows visible almost as the default ghost storey colour in Archicad 😉

But, if it works for you ... hey, who am I to complain? Just don't squeal if something does not work out of the box in the circumstances exactly opposite to the presumed default ones ... it is not the problem of the software, it is you who insists on something, so it is up to you to make it work.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Electric Flute — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:20:29 GMT

Sorry Djordje but I didn't "squeal".
It was just a wish. A polite wish.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:18:48 GMT

One thing that AutoCAD does is recognise whether the background is black or white, and makes pen 7 the opposite. Not a bad idea, you must admit.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Link — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:11 GMT

You know the same thing happens when you try typing white text on a white background - the text doesn't appear in the text box. Fortunately this isn't a common problem because even when the typing is complete, YOU CAN'T SEE IT!!

Is it just me, or do most other people avoid typing the same color text as their background? Sorry mate, and maybe I'm missing something here, but if you insist working on a black background (and I will avoid making my 'still living in an AutoCAD cave' joke here), can't you simply use a different colored text?

I used a black background in AutoCAD for years, but was only too happy to go to a white background, (and turning my display brightness and contrast down a little). It doesn't really bother me what color background people use and I think it essentially comes down to personal preference. What is a concern though is when your personal color preference inhibits your performance. And it seems to be doing that now, even if ArchiCAD is to blame.

There was a really neat discussion years ago when ArchiCAD-Talk was on escribe, that AFAIR spoke about halation, background colors and even provided links to external sites recommending the scientifically proven best RGB values for CAD background colors. I vaguely recall a pinkish or skin color coming out on top. I wish I could find that again. If anyone else has it archived away, please post it!

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:26:35 GMT

Link

I think I know the discussion you mean: it was on this forum, but a quick search (display background color) didn't show it up for me. People were suggesting all sorts of colours they use for background, pinks, greys, beige(s) etc. I experimented with a beigey colour for a while, but have gone back to white. It just seems cleaner.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Link — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:45:23 GMT

Good man - thanks for helping me find it here.

I'm still a white background guy, but that's mostly for easy trainings.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:45:16 GMT

That's the one. And from page 2 of that thread, Jeffrey said

You can keep your pen set as is and view your screen independently if you go to Preferences Miscellaneous > Automatic Pen Color Visibility Adjustment. It will change the color of any pens that are too close to the background color.

That setting seems to have been dropped in 10 (if not earlier) unless its just been placed deeper in the settings / option quagmire.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Link — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:01:27 GMT

s2art wrote:
That setting seems to have been dropped in 10 (if not earlier) unless its just been placed deeper in the settings / option quagmire.

No it's still there(abouts) and it still works just fine!

Options> Work Environment> More Options...

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:16:17 GMT

Link wrote:
No it's still there(abouts) and it still works just fine!

Options> Work Environment> More Options...

Ah, so it is. I was looking under Options > Project Preferences....

Cheers

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Electric Flute — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:06:17 GMT

Thanks Link for the Link

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Djordje — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:22:15 GMT

s2art wrote:
One thing that AutoCAD does is recognise whether the background is black or white, and makes pen 7 the opposite. Not a bad idea, you must admit.

Yep, not a bad idea at all. Something like Visibility option?

Re: Editing black texts in Layout Book

Da3dalus — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:58:59 GMT

I have spoken to my eye doctor about this (I've had bad vision all of my life, and after investing in Lasik correction, I want to protect my new-found sight). He said that the black background would theoretically be best... if that's all you're looking at. However, we typically look back-and-fourth between papers on our desk, other computer applications (typically with white backgrounds), the white wall of our office, and CAD. That constant transition between white and black puts a lot of strain on your eyes, as they can't adjust fast enough. Ergonomically, a white (actually, off-white) background is indeed best.

I'll put in an effort, with my next batch of CAD standards, to make the transition.