Calypso's Background Colors: Why don't you change them?

[[Je...]]

Indulge me for a moment in this totally unnecessary side quest:

Why do so many programmers never change Calypso's default background colors and sometimes even get agitated when others do?

Color is an important visual element and can often help emphasize contrast.  Not only that, but it helps keep neurospicy brains like mine interested.  Sometimes, I will change the background colors based on the CAD model.  However, other times I will change the colors as a refresh, similar to seasonal decorating.   Color themes can also be used for branding purposes like a signature.

When I visit other manufacturing facilities, it surprises me how many users never change the background colors. There are probably multiple reasons for this.  However, If I had to guess, it seems to me that some personalities value predictability.  A color change can disrupt our sense of stability and even cause distraction.  Empathy is important to me, as is teamwork, so I want to be open to understanding the underlying psychological factors.

Which is why I'm asking for your thoughts.  What's your perception on why the muted cornflower blue and depressed aluminum almost have a longer on-screen tenure than The Simpsons?

No right or wrong answers.  I just want a broader understanding.

Edited July 21, 2025

[[Ma...]]

I would like to have a normal color on a part - those reflections are annoying.

[[An...]]

When I was going through CALYPSO basic years ago, the instructor actually showed us this early on and I made it a point to change it every day. Nowadays, I'm focused primarily on function in most things in my life. If it works and the aesthetics don't impede the function, I don't often see the need to change it.

 

That said, I'm now feeling encouraged to change the aesthetic to something tremendously garish.

Edited July 21, 2025

[[Ri...]]

My default background is an off-black, and my edges are set to black. The part color is typically a blue of some sort. 

I was showed that by the great Brad Miner many years ago, and have never changed from that. 

[[To...]]

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 Maybe some feel that if it doesn't add value, why change it?  Or, if it ain't broke, don't fix it?...lol  Personally. I like the old default gradient colors.  I do agree that it is a personal preference so I don't think it is a bad thing if you want something different.

When I used to hold training classes, I created a batch file to restore all of the default settings because some students would customize their settings. 

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 Screenshot?

Edited July 22, 2025

[[Ri...]]

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 I can't show the part, but here is an example with some fixturing instead. If I have fixturing, I don't mess with the part color. 

 

Here is what my CAD Settings look like. 

[[Ch...]]

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Jeff, thoughts on Zeiss internal color picker : would you prefer something better? color wheel palette ??

I definitely color things and use background gradients. Helps keep track of features on parts/assemblies as well.

[[Je...]]

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Terrific idea

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 on the batch file.  I think I'm going to borrow that one.  It's a great gesture to leave things like you found them, and the customer appreciates that you thought of them.

[[Je...]]

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Great question.   I like the PCM color theme that Calypso incorporates.  Perhaps there could be user-customizable color templates for CAD entities, similar to Solidworks.

[[Ch...]]

so should we add NEON colors or no?   😃

[[Dr...]]

You could make a complete alignment chart of Calypso background color schemes. You’ve got Tom with the “true neutral” default, Richard with the “lawful” and utilitarian colors chosen to improve his workflow, and Chris, maybe you can channel the “chaotic” neon colors that we all tried at least once when we first learned that the background could be changed. 😜

[[Th...]]

Chaotic lazy. Zeiss can change the BG color defaults all they want, I refuse to put in the effort to change it. Weird blue to gray gradient? Why not. Blank HMI-adjacent featureless gray? Don't mind if I do.

[[Ke...]]

It seems weird to *not* change it 😂

 

Generally:

Background - "darkish" gray (or grey, if you prefer); no gradient

Part - "mid" blue

Selection - "dark" blue

Geometry - "light" blue

Edited July 22, 2025

[[Ma...]]

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 hi, how do you avoid reflections? I am still battling with that - i am getting almost white faces on specific angle of view.

[[Da...]]

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This is probably due to an outdated or incompatible graphics card driver.

[[Ha...]]

I like to set the background to blue/white with a gradient, and the CAD model to orange because they're complimentary colors. I keep the selection and geometry the same.

 

[[Ri...]]

My eyes hurt.

[[Wo...]]

I always use blue-gray background that was default a few years ago. I have a starter plan that has all the settings I need and I use it to create new plans. I think nowadays the new default is plain gray? Somehow, I don't like that one.

[[Ri...]]

The only colors I have played with are the default menu Icon colors.

One day, not too long ago, I found out thru this forum where the icons are. So, I made copies and added colors on some of them to see what it looks like.

As for the background, meh...

[[Ch...]]

Nicely done Richard S.  ;  I've thought about making full themes to share, etc.

[[Dr...]]

I don’t dislike the blue & grey enough to change them.

I might be more inclined to experiment if I could easily revert to the default, but it’s not worth the hassle of juggling config files to me. Once you move one of the sliders, your ability to seamlessly get back to good ol’ #446188 & #CCCCCC within Calypso goes away.

Maybe one day we’ll get some RGB/HSV/hex interactive field(s) in the dialog, but as far as UI issues go, their absence is far from urgent.

[[Ch...]]

Good idea drew,   I vote for CAD Color PCM where we can input RGB/HEX codes on the fly ...   🤔

[[Ri...]]

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Please do (cause Im lazy 😁)

[[Wo...]]

What I would really like is the dark theme to match Windows. I like to keep my Windows theme and app theme in Dark Mode. Basically the only program I can't match is Calypso.