LightWave 10 UI Color Problems

[Dracorat]

First, let me say that I do love that I can change the UI colors because the dark gray was killing my eyes. I made a custom color set with bright colors.

In doing so though, there are two outstanding problems:

I cannot change the color that shortcut keys show up in. I am actively trying to memorize the keys (being a relatively new user to LightWave) and I can't read them because they're white and they're (now) on almost-white buttons.

Second, the pull down menus (File, Edit, etc) have changed since I made the color modifications to black-on-black when I open them until I mouse over something - then it changes to black-on-white ... unless the menu scrolls ... in which case it's back to black-on-black. It makes using these menus a fishing expedition. Luckily I don't have to use them often.

I can provide my custom color codes if that would help. Is there anything I can do other than "revert" to the standard colors? (I don't know that my eyes would ever forgive me if I did)

[ingo]

I changed my colors too to more ergonomic colors, i made it more grayish. But still some problems since as everything in LW is not really structured, for example the texture presets display black on darkgrey, which is a bit hard to read.

[Matt]

This was spotted and fixed in 10.1 already!

Here is LW10.1 in a light scheme.

[Matt]

But still some problems since as everything in LW is not really structured, for example the texture presets display black on darkgrey, which is a bit hard to read.

??? Preset text was changed in LW10, so unless you changed your text to be black on dark grey on purpose, it should be perfectly visible.

[ingo]

??? Preset text was changed in LW10, so unless you changed your text to be black on dark grey on purpose, it should be perfectly visible.

it happened with my lightgrey theme, text is black as usual but i dont know how to get a lighter backround in the presets, i think it changed something else to the wrong color too.

[Dracorat]

The 10.1 patch isn't public release yet right? I see only annoucements that it's "announced".

Here's my hub-config:

ButtonHighlight 128 128 128
WindowBackgroundColor 255 255 255
GEBackgroundColor 85 86 88
ViewportBackgroundColor 0 21 0
BgOGLMeshColor 255 126 255
GridColor 0 140 0
AxesColor 154 154 15
LabelsColor 0 0 0
ButtonOutline 142 140 139
ButtonSelectedColor 255 197 246
ButtonSelectedText 0 0 2
TreeTitleColor 0 29 0
TreeBodyColor 0 53 0
TreeText 255 255 164
StateButtonColor 191 191 164
ActionButtonColor 153 174 191
DialogButtonColor 148 166 148
DragButtonColor 191 191 191
ToolButtonColor 162 163 191
InfoAreaColor 0 21 0
InfoAreaTextColor 118 255 120
XMotionColor 200 0 0
YMotionColor 0 200 0
ZMotionColor 0 0 200
XRotationColor 200 0 0
YRotationColor 0 200 0
ZRotationColor 0 0 200
XScaleColor 200 0 0
YScaleColor 0 200 0
ZScaleColor 0 0 200
XMotionColorHiLite 200 0 0
YMotionColorHiLite 0 200 0
ZMotionColorHiLite 0 0 200
XRotationColorHiLite 200 0 0
YRotationColorHiLite 0 200 0
ZRotationColorHiLite 0 0 200
XScaleColorHiLite 200 0 0
YScaleColorHiLite 0 200 0
ZScaleColorHiLite 0 0 200


(If someone with the 10.1 wants to try it out just to confirm it's good)

And here's a screenshot illustrating the menu problem.

I darkened the buttons in this config because of the white text, so that's not shown in the configuration or screenshot.

Edit: I missed that I got an official response from the UI Dev. If he says it's good, I'll assume it's good until proven otherwise. Now I just gotta wait! =)

Thanks.

[jwiede]

I changed my colors too to more ergonomic colors, i made it more grayish. But still some problems since as everything in LW is not really structured, for example the texture presets display black on darkgrey, which is a bit hard to read.
Ingo, that's kind of nice, can you post your hub config for that color sceme?

[Matt]

The 10.1 patch isn't public release yet right? I see only annoucements that it's "announced".

That's correct.

And here's a screenshot illustrating the menu problem.

From that screenshot it looks like you've set stuff incorrectly.

In previous versions of LightWave, you had little colour control, but it auto-corrected a lot of things, which meant you could often never get the get the colours you wanted.

In 10 a lot of that was decoupled, which while gives you much more control, does mean you can also totally mess up the UI colours.

The Spiderman quote comes to mind "With great power comes great responsibility"

:D

[ingo]

....The Spiderman quote comes to mind "With great power comes great responsibility" :D

So Matt, can you live with it now that you are at Nt ? :D

Here are my colors for the light grey theme posted above :

BackgroundColor 200 200 200
StateButtonColor 220 220 220
DragButtonColor 220 220 220
DialogButtonColor 220 220 220
ActionButtonColor 230 230 230
InfoAreaColor 85 85 85
InfoAreaTextColor 230 230 230
ToolButtonColor 220 220 220
GEBackgroundColor 150 150 150
WindowBackgroundColor 160 160 160
ViewportBackgroundColor 230 230 230
GridColor 210 210 210
AxesColor 150 150 150
ButtonOutline 140 140 140
ButtonSelectedText 1 1 1
ButtonSelectedColor 235 235 235
TreeTitleColor 75 75 75
TreeBodyColor 190 190 190
TreeText 30 30 30
LabelsColor 35 35 35

[Matt]

So Matt, can you live with it now that you are at Nt ? :D

Not sure what you mean?

[JonW]

I use Layers all the time in Modeler on a 30" monitor. The high pixel density & the default colour text is challenging to read. I've changed the text here to white.

I actually prefer the colour scheme of 9.6 as the dark background of 10 isn't practical. I also work in a "Grey room" to help with colour accuracy.

[Matt]

as the dark background of 10 isn't practical

Personal preference aside, in what way is it not?

[JonW]

When building an architectural model & when you need a lot of layers in the background to build something, the contrast with the background is too little. It maybe an age/eyesight issue, but having a lighter grey BG with black lines is better for me. Also more contrast with text is necessary.

But I'm glad LW uses names on buttons instead of the dog's breakfast of icons other programs use for amateurs, which also hog real estate. As screens get higher & higher pixel density it's critical that the interface is clear & concise.

Building this architectural model was difficult at times due to the many layered parts.

[ingo]

Its hard to believe that people still work with black backrounds these days. 20 years ago when i worked as a CAD supportsperson i had a hard time convincing people that a back backround hurts the eyes and is total unergonomic, especially with the tube monitors. The contrast is way to low so most people crank up the contrast or the brightness on their monitors, and color accuracy is nearly impossible.

So a nice light colortheme is a big help in this case. Hopefully we soon can change the selection colors in Layout like in Modeller, this will be a step forward.

[archijam]

Here is LW10.1 in a light scheme.

Are those NEW archi presets, Matt? Please say it is so!

*crosses fingers*

[Lightwolf]

Its hard to believe that people still work with black backrounds these days.
That's probably because a lot of VFX people like to work in the total dark. Which makes sense to a degree as it mimics the playback scenario in most cases (dark theatre or living room).

You're certainly right for "normal" working environments. The contrast between the monitor display and the environment should be as low as possible to reduce eye strain. Which is also why ergonomic monitors (which are rare) come with grey bezels.

Cheers,
Mike

[Dracorat]

I use a dark background (it's not black, but rather dark dark green) because lighter backgrounds are what I find to strain my eyes. Headache inducing strain.

With the dark background and lighter geometry on that, I can work all day without the strain. I work with text at work and even my text editors are set up this way, except for MS Word which I have set to use the normal black-text on white so that I can see what a printed copy looks like on screen.

You'd probably hate my Power Points though. =)

[JonW]

I have my screens set at 5800k & 100 cd/m2. Not as low as 90 cd/m2 which I find just a bit too dark when you need to do other stuff in the room. I think most would be surprised just how bright their screens have been if they are used near to the default setting.

If set properly white is comfortable to look at, & you can see all the extremely dark greys as well. I think some have their screens bright so they can see the dark colours, which is wrong & worst of all it makes it hard work for your eyes.

[SubDProxy]

Speaking of changing colors. Are we able to change the point color in LW10. I am trying but still no luck. I can change the sketch color but not the Vertices. Is there a way to do that and if not will it be implemented later on?
There was also a discussion in CGTalk forum about this here - http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=5&t=968207

Glen

[JML]

Been busy with projects and stuff and finally working with LW10 more,

Does anybody have a custom UI color preset he can share ?
I don't mind the darkness, but white txt over black background kills
my eyes..
I could change my own color, but just wondering if somebody have
already done something like that ?

Thanks

[Danner]

Interactive lw 10 color configuring tool with presets

http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115493&highlight=flash+tool+color

[JML]

Interactive lw 10 color configuring tool with presets

http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115493&highlight=flash+tool+color

thanks a lot

[JML]

I tried to go back to default UI colors thinking I'll just get used to it,
but cannot work with it..
I worked with inverted scheme before in other apps, but
in layout, I can't stand it. I guess it's because lightwave has so many txt
menus that it makes it hard for a light txt on dark background to work.
Or maybe the contrast is too strong or font too small.. don't know.

also, 9.6 UI looks old, but the different menu color helped a lot breaking the many LW menus I think.

quick test for fun, LW10, 96, and 2 test.

I wonder if people just got used to it or changed the UI colors.

[Matt]

I tried to go back to default UI colors thinking I'll just get used to it,
but cannot work with it..
I worked with inverted scheme before in other apps, but
in layout, I can't stand it. I guess it's because lightwave has so many txt
menus that it makes it hard for a light txt on dark background to work.
Or maybe the contrast is too strong or font too small.. don't know.

also, 9.6 UI looks old, but the different menu color helped a lot breaking the many LW menus I think.

quick test for fun, LW10, 96, and 2 test.

I wonder if people just got used to it or changed the UI colors.

Personally, speaking as a user (because I never actually came up with the dark scheme, I just tweaked it to make it less harsh than the original change done in SIGGRAPH) I don't mind it at all, not only have I become used to it, but I like it. 9.6 as you say looks so old now in comparison.

But everyone is different, which is why I added made more elements user definable.

[funk]

It took me a little while to get use to the darker color but I love it now.

Matt did a great job considering what he had to work with

[Sampei]

does anyone know how to remove or darken the main window's frame (see pic)...on the top (where it's white) it's the only thing that's really bugging me of the new UI >_>
I've watched Matt's "Theming Tips" core tutorial on editing the CSS but I'm not quite sure which file I should be changing since nothing I do in the CSS in any folder in Lightwave10/support/themes makes any difference. And you can't change the frame's color either in LWHUB.cfg.
anyone ?? :help:

[Matt]

does anyone know how to remove or darken the main window's frame (see pic)...on the top (where it's white) it's the only thing that's really bugging me of the new UI >_>
I've watched Matt's "Theming Tips" core tutorial on editing the CSS but I'm not quite sure which file I should be changing since nothing I do in the CSS in any folder in Lightwave10/support/themes makes any difference. And you can't change the frame's color either in LWHUB.cfg.
anyone ?? :help:

That looks like Windows is drawing that part, not LW.

[Sampei]

good call Matt. it was the 3D object color in the "Window Color and Appearance" panel, I changed it to dark gray but it changed everything else as well..now it's all a little dark.
Btw you know what would be really cool, an expert mode like in mudbox where the viewport takes up the whole screen via 1 shortcut: basically combine Hide Toolbar, Hide Viewport Tiles and also hide the Title bar all in 1. Just a thought. :D

[prometheus]

Interactive lw 10 color configuring tool with presets

http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115493&highlight=flash+tool+color



Link dead...please revisit and correct newtek:cursin:

Michael

[wrench]

You *can* do it for yourself. Just delete the first part of the link and stick the second part onto a link for the forums as they now are, like so:

forums.newtek.com/showthread.php?t=115493&highlight=flash+tool+color

HTH,

B

[prometheus]

You *can* do it for yourself. Just delete the first part of the link and stick the second part onto a link for the forums as they now are, like so:

forums.newtek.com/showthread.php?t=115493&highlight=flash+tool+color

HTH,

B

Yeah I suppose I could "do it for my self" with this link, but Im fed up of doing things for myself if you know what I mean?

Ain´t fun" doing it with the rest out there" or is it?

Michael

[wrench]

I'm not in any way saying anyone should *have* to, just that it is a (longwinded) possibility... ;)

B