Objects not displaying correct colour

[c.haws]

I have drawn objects in black.

Why is it some times they are showing as white?

Why is it when I go and manually set the colour in their properties that it does not show in that colour?

In fact, the same issue applies to lineweight, when I change it, nothing actually happens.

If I shut the program down, re-open the program and drawing, when it is loading it temporarily shows the correct colour and width and then reverts back to being the wrong colour.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

welcome @Anonymous!

>> I have drawn objects in black.

>> Why is it some times they are showing as white?

It depends on the type of object you mean, the background-color you have, the visual style you are working with and the active CTB or STB.

I don't want to make you frustrated, but I want to show you what we need to know to be able to answer your question.

AutoCAD and Map 3D are no painting software like making a color active and then draw with that color until we define a new one.

>> when I go and manually set the colour in their properties that it does not show in that colour?

That can depend on the type of object ... some objects can't be colorized by just changing the property in the property-window.

That types are e.g. Block-Insertions, FDO-objects, in some cases MTEXT objects and in case your are working with Civil 3D or other vertical applications also application-specific objects do have their styles instead of simple color assignments.

In general: working with color-assignments directly to an entity results in bad drawing structures, use layer for defining colors (or styles for the FDO or application specific objects).

You might upload the drawing here so we can take a look into it.

- alfred -

[c.haws]

Thanks for replying.

Well, my drawing is really only georeferenced raster image, and some polylines.

I don't plan on doing anything elaborate with this. Not much more than drawing shapes and annotating.

I downloaded this software believing that it would be better than trying to do something similar in Photoshop, as it would allow me to make multiple maps from one reference and preserve scale. But it seems the simplest things are completely intuitive. :S

Ultimately, the only thing I really want to do is make a simple map, and overlay a grid with 5x5 squares aligned along the boundaries of some fields.

The only way to do this, I have discovered is by drawing a shape and using the hatch function.

I'm trying to change the colour of the polyline. The hatch colour changes without issue.

I'm trying with layers. However, I can't even seem to find out which objects are on which layer..

I'm certain what I want to change is in a particular layer (I switch the layer off, and the object disappears), and when I go to change the colour in the layer settings, and I check the object has colour settings "By Layer", it remains whatever colour it was before...

My drawing is attached.

 There is a layer called "Fields" which has the outlines of some fields made using polylines. There is also a hatch of one of the fields.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I downloaded this software believing that it would be better than trying to do something similar in Photoshop

Download and start working within minutes (in an efficient way) is not what can be done with software having that much functionality as AutoCAD Map 3D has.

Taking a class is strongly recommended. Or learning by videos ... but take time for that!

>> But it seems the simplest things are completely intuitive

Take place in a car with joystick instead of a steering wheel, would you be able within minutes to handle every critical situation in strong traffic?

If something is intuitive or not is depending on how much are you used to it (or o similar handling). Starting from scratch into AutoCAD or Map 3D has to be combined with training, you can expect to know all about thousands of commands, hundreds of system variables and at least to use it in an efficient way + creating well structured data.

>> I'm trying to change the colour of the polyline.

Look to the video, I don't have a problem with that, what are you missing exactly (or what did you try which does not change the displayed color of the polylines?

- alfred -

[c.haws]

Naive of me, I will certainly admit. However, I frequently use relatively complex programs for one time usage and don't tend have as many problems.

I certainly don't intend to learn the ins and outs of the program as I don't see my need to use the program for anything more than this project.

It seems to me that the colour is simply not changing, unless I am missing something - I've followed your screencast.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

are you using the same drawing as the one you have uploaded in your previous post?
I'm just curious because your polylines are greyed out instead of black as I have them on my screen.

Try the following steps:

a) after you had changed the layer-color run command _REGENALL

b) run command _GRAPHICSCONFIG and turn off hardware acceleration (plus show a screenshot from the dialog here, if possible)

Anything better?

- alfred -

[c.haws · Accepted solution]

Hi again,

I was certainly using the same drawing. 

I followed what you said and it didn't seem to do anything. However, I DID pick up on your point about the lines being gray, not black.

Did a quick google search and it seems the issue is to do with the Map Base Default Layer being checked. After Unchecking it, it works...

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-civil-3d/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticl...

I've now added the Field Layer into the display manager, and the map base no-longer affects it.

Thanks for the help in getting me to this point! Much Appreciated.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

glad to hear you've got it working!

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

I faced the same problem and rushed up to some comments here. Meanwhile i was trying some exploration for the solution. Turns out you need to off - "Map Stylization color mode".

Steps_Command :-

MapDisplayManager - Stylization Tab - OFF.

Solved.

Thanks 🙂