3D window block color

[Anonymous]

In AutoCAD Architecture 2012, is it possible to change the 3D window block from standard white color to another?

Thank you

[ntellery]

What is a "3D window block"?  easiest way is to WB a sample out of your drawing and post it here. There are so many ways a colour can be determined dependant on various settings and what object you are referring to.  The word "block" has a particular definition in ACA and I might guess that's not what you are referring to.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I called my object incorrectly: it's just a ready 3D window in ACAD Architecture 2012. The entire frame is white. Is it possible to change white color to another? Thanks.

[ntellery]

Post a sample!!  I can then tell you why it's white and how to change it.

[ntellery]

Select the window, right click and 'Edit Style'. (maybe check there are no Object Overrides first but that is not the case here).  Go to Display Prop tab and you will note, no "Style override" boxes are ticked.  This means that you will be examining the settings for all (standard) windows rather than this style (Awning) and so any changes will affect all windows (unless they have a style or object override).

The Model DispRep is bold, which means it is the current DR.  If you were in plan view a different DR would be bold.

You can double click on the 'Model' Or click the button far right.

Layer/Col/LT tab.  It shows the window settings are all "by material".  This is preferable and it means the settings are found in .....  cancel or ok without making changes back to the previous box.

Select the Materials Tab.

Here you can see the different aecMaterials assigned to each part of the window and clicking the button far right top will open the aecMaterial edittor DB.  "General' is highlighted which the current active setting for your view.  (Sometimes more than one can be bold.)

Double click General or click top right button to open editor and go to Layer/Col/LT tab.

The "3D Body" componant indicates colour (143) except this is overridden when rendering by the render material assigned on the 'Other' tab. It shows a render mat, "Doors & WInd......White" as the render mat attached and so it will render white.  You are in Realistic visual display but if you change to 'Shaded' the frame will show the 143 colour.

More to come....

Are you rendering?  If so the render Material will be applied.  I have a fast track trick here because it's dumb and longwinded to place the colour in the Render Material definition so here's how to make it easier to edit.

Exit out of DB's back to your drawing.  Type MAT and your material editor will show.

Look for the "Doors&Wind....White" and double click the bitmap icon or right click on it and "Edit"

You will see colour 200 200 200 applied. To the right of this click arrow and make Colour By Object.  This means all other settings will remain except colour will come from elsewhere. Close back to drawing.

Your colour will now be controlled by the Setting in the Material Definition (not the render material) which is why it will render 143.  Follow instructions above to find colour and set to desired, remember this will apply to anything that has this aecMaterial applied (which will apply that Render Material when rendering).

 It would be appropriate to remove the 'white' from the render material and now it could be used for more than one colour, with the colour stored in the aecMaterial definition, in the window style or even the window object itself but the best place is the aecMaterial definition.  Any object that has this aecMat assigned will follow the same colour/render mat.

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot, my friend! That worked GREAT!

Much appreciated