Background color

[MikeJarosz]

I thought that we were limited to black or white backgrounds in Revit. The choice is on the options menu graphics tab. However, at the NYC Revit user group meeting this week, the speaker changed the background color so the back of the room could see better.

Am I imagining this, or is there a way to change the background?

[Dave Jones]

I thought that we were limited to black or white backgrounds in Revit. The choice is on the options menu graphics tab. However, at the NYC Revit user group meeting this week, the speaker changed the background color so the back of the room could see better.

Am I imagining this, or is there a way to change the background?

I haven't tried this but what about Options/Graphics tab/Colors Invert background color check box?

never mind, I should try stuff before hitting the keyboard. That option just changes back and forth between white or black background

[eric.piotrowicz]

As far as I have found the choices are white background with black lines or inverted to black background with white lines. There are some random quirks with the black background setting though.

[rtaube]

You can switch all views to a black background by going to the main menu and click Options: Graphics Tab: Invert background color

or you can set the background in 3D views to a gradient by

Right Click: View Properties: Graphic Display Options
Then check Gradient background, and manipulate the color.

[cdatechguy]

Ahh....I wish there was a shortcut to change from black to white....

Most views we have in color (black background) but some views we use black/gray and can distinguish the difference better with the white background.

[iru69]

Curious:

Users who use the white background use it because... that's the default? they want to embrace the opposite of AutoCAD? it's easier on their eyes? it's closer to the way it will look when printed?

Users who use the black background use it because... they want to be a black sheep? they want Revit to look like AutoCAD (what they're used to)? it's easier on their eyes?

[cdatechguy]

Curious:

Users who use the white background use it because... that's the default? they want to embrace the opposite of AutoCAD? it's easier on their eyes? it's closer to the way it will look when printed?

Users who use the black background use it because... they want to be a black sheep? they want Revit to look like AutoCAD (what they're used to)? it's easier on their eyes?

Yeah, thats another debate if you search for it....like the ArchiCAD vs Revit its Black Background vs White Background...

[Dave Jones]

Curious:

Users who use the white background use it because... that's the default? they want to embrace the opposite of AutoCAD? it's easier on their eyes? it's closer to the way it will look when printed?

Users who use the black background use it because... they want to be a black sheep? they want Revit to look like AutoCAD (what they're used to)? it's easier on their eyes?

cripes, I didn't even know that there was a black background option until today. Now after having been using Revit since Jan the black background looks strange although I use black background in that other program model space

[eric.piotrowicz]

Granted this is from the CRT days but I used a custom medium grey background in that other program. The reason being that I didn't like working on a completely white background since many line colors where very hard to read and the default black background turned my monitor into a mirror no matter how I positioned it. It was just way too distracting to see everything going on behind me while I was trying to work. Not really a problem anymore with LCD panels. But to keep on topic, I use the white background these days and don't try to play which different color lines. There also have been a few random weird display issues with the black background set up. They don't cause performance problems but they do make it seem like things are wrong and send people (myself included) on a wild goose chase for a while.