Please note : This help page is not for the latest version of Enterprise Architect. The latest help can be found here.
Standard Colors
On a model diagram, the objects, texts and backgrounds are rendered in the system default colors. You can change any of these default colors to either one of a range of standard colors, or a color that you define yourself. Another user viewing the same model diagrams will still see the diagrams in either the standard default colors or colors that user has selected for their own use.
If you define and select a 'non-standard' color for an object type, that color is shown in the color pallet whilst it is the selected color for that object type. If you then select a different color, the non-standard color is no longer available in the pallet. You can, however, define up to 16 custom colors that are permanently available to use in changing the appearance of individual elements, through the Default Appearance dialog and diagram Format Toolbar.
Access Tools | Options (Ctrl+F9) | Standard Colors
Set the Color of an Object Type
The top 12 fields on the Standard Colors page each displays a color strip showing the currently-set color for the corresponding type of object or feature, and a down-arrow.
Step |
Action |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Click on the arrow. A color pallet displays, showing a small range of standard colors and, if the object is currently set to a non-standard color, an additional square next to the Other button to show that color.
|
||||||||||
2 |
If the color you want to use is shown on the pallet, click on it to select it and to return to the Standard Colors page.
|
||||||||||
3 |
If the color you want to use is not shown, click on the Other button. The Color dialog displays showing the Standard tab, offering a larger range of standard colors.
|
||||||||||
4 |
If the color you want to use is shown on the pallet, click on it to show that color in the New panel and (optionally) compare it with the currently-set color in the Current panel. Click on the OK button to set the selected color and to return to the Standard Colors page.
|
||||||||||
5 |
If a suitable color is not available in the extended pallet, click on the Custom tab. This contains:
As you define the color it changes in the New panel; (optionally) compare it with the currently-set color in the Current panel and adjust it as necessary. When you have defined your color, click on the OK button to select it and to return to the Standard Colors page.
|
||||||||||
6 |
As an alternative to selecting a standard color or defining a new one, you can capture a color that is used elsewhere on your current monitor screen. Click on the Select button to redisplay the cursor as an 'eye-dropper' icon; move this around the screen to the color you want to sample. Position the cursor so that the color is under the tip of the 'eye-dropper' and shown in the New panel. Click the left mouse button to capture the color, then click on the OK button to select it and to return to the Standard Colors page.
|
||||||||||
7 |
Click on the Close button to save your changes and close the Options dialog.
|
Object Types for which to set Colors on all diagrams you display
Field |
Effect |
See also |
|---|---|---|
Paper |
Define the background color of the diagrams.
|
|
Element Fill |
Define the fill color of all elements on the diagrams (except Screen elements and Notes - see below). This color can be overridden by any other fill color definition in your model, such as the Format Toolbar fill setting, element default appearance, Template Element package or stereotype definition.
|
|
Element Line |
Define the line color of all element borders on the diagrams.
|
|
Element Text |
Define the font color of element text and labels on the diagrams.
|
|
Shadow |
Define the color of element outline shadows on the diagrams.
|
|
Attribute |
Define the font color of attribute text in the attribute compartment of all elements.
|
|
Method |
Define the font color of method (operation) text in the operation compartment of all elements.
|
|
Note Color |
Define the fill color of Note elements on the diagrams.
|
|
Note Compartment Text
|
Define the color of text in the element notes compartment of all elements on the diagrams. |
|
Screen |
Define the fill color of Screen elements on User Interface diagrams that you display.
|
|
Connector Line |
Define the line color of all connectors on the diagrams.
|
|
Behavior |
Define the color for behaviors in Activity diagrams that you display.
|
|
Notes
| • | Using this page of the Options dialog, you can set the background of all diagrams to be a specific color; you can also use the Diagram - Appearance page to set all diagram backgrounds to be either a uniform color or to have a fade gradient from top to bottom |
| • | You can create a background image for a diagram, instead of using the color wash |
| • | To override the default appearance of a specific element on all diagrams on which it is found, right-click on the element and select the Appearance | Default Appearance context menu option; the Default Appearance dialog displays |
| • | To change the appearance of a specific element on the current diagram only, use the Format Toolbar; which automatically displays at the top of every diagram. |
Learn more
