Editing black texts in Layout Book

[Electric Flute]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Link]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Link]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Link]

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.

[Anonymous]

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

[Electric Flute]

Thanks Link for the Link

[Djordje]

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?

[Da3dalus]

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.