Standard Colors

On a model diagram, the objects and texts 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' page of the 'Preferences' dialog.

Access

Ribbon	Start > Workspace > Preferences > Preferences > Diagram > Standard Colors
Keyboard Shortcuts	Ctrl+F9 \| Diagram \| Standard Colors

Customize Diagram Element Colors

The color combo boxes on the 'Standard Colors' page help you to customize the various colors that will be used to draw elements (and their features) on all diagrams.

Step	Action
1	On the selected color combo box, click on the drop-down 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 to the right of 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: A spectrum panel, with a 'sampler' icon; move the icon around the panel to change the color shown in the 'New' panel A 'Luminosity' bar; move the arrow on the right up and down to change the intensity of the color shown in the 'New' panel 'Hue', 'Sat'(uration) and 'Lum'(inosity) (HSL) fields, and 'Red', 'Green' and 'Blue' (RGB) fields; type and increment or decrement the decimal values to either: - make slight modifications to a color or - exactly define a color for which you know the HSL and/or RGB values 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 'Preferences' dialog.

Elements

Element / Component	Description	See also
Fill	Define the fill color of all elements (except Screen elements and Notes) on the diagrams you display. This color can also be changed on the 'Gradients and Backgrounds' page, and overridden by any other fill color definition in your model, such as the Layout ribbon fill setting, element default appearance, Template Element Package or stereotype definition.	Diagram Gradients and Backgrounds
Line	Define the line color of all element borders on the diagrams you display.
Text	Define the font color of element text and labels on the diagrams you display (including Text elements).
Shadows	Define the color of element outline shadows on the diagrams you display (including Notes).
Attributes	Define the font color of attribute text in the attribute compartment of all elements on the diagrams you display.
Methods	Define the font color of method (operation) text in the operation compartment of all elements on the diagrams you display.
Behaviors	Define the color for behaviors in Activity diagrams you display.
Notes	Define the color of text in the element notes compartment of all elements on the diagrams you display.
Screen	Define the fill color of Screen elements on User Interface diagrams you display.

Notes & Constraints Elements

Element / Component	Description	See also
Fill	Define the fill color of Note and Constraint elements on the diagrams you display.
Text	Define the font color of Note and Constraint text on the diagrams you display.
Note Line	Define the line color of the borders on Note elements on the diagrams you display.
Constraint Line	Define the line color of the borders on Constraint elements on the diagrams you display.

Others

Element / Component	Description	See also
Connector Lines	Define the line color of all connectors on the diagrams you display.

Notes

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' option; the 'Default Appearance' dialog displays
To change the appearance of a specific element on the current diagram only, use the 'Style' panel of the 'Layout' ribbon

Learn more

Create Custom Colors