Change the color and transparency of model objects by using object representation

Use object representation to set the color and transparency of model objects in model views and to create customized presentations of the model by using defined object groups.

With object representation settings and object groups you can define that, for example, only some model objects are visible or that some model objects are of certain color.

To open the object representation settings, on the View tab, click Representation. The Object Representation dialog box opens.

Note that changing the settings in the Object Representation box affects all model views.

The following images show the same model with different transparency settings:

Standard color and transparency settings
Only parts whose profile name starts with IPE* or HEA* are visible
Parts whose user-defined attribute Planned erection date is set to a certain date are displayed in blue, while all other parts are 90% transparent

Use the Class property to change the color of parts and reinforcement

Use the object representation settings Color by class and Visible to enable the changing of the color of parts and reinforcement in the part and reinforcement properties.

To open the object representation settings, on the View tab, click Representation.
The Object Representation dialog box opens.
In the dialog box, ensure that
- Object group is set to All
- Color is set to Color by class
- Transparency is set to Visible
With these settings, all parts and reinforcement are colored according to their Class property in the part and reinforcement properties.

The possible class numbers range between 0 and 14, and result in different colors as follows:

Class numbers above 14 produce the same colors as 1...14. For example, class numbers 2, 16, 30, 44, and so on, all result in red.
To change the part or reinforcement color in the part or reinforcement properties:
1. In the property pane, in the Class box, select a new class.
2. Click Modify.
Alternatively, you can change the Class property on the contextual toolbar.

Note:

You can also use class numbers to define the default color of pour objects and pour breaks.

Define color and transparency settings for object groups

On the View tab, click Representation to open the Object Representation dialog box.

The settings Color by class and Visible are on by default.
To define the color and visibility of a selected object group, click Add row.
Select an object group from the Object group list.
Use the Color list to define the color for the objects in the object group.
Use the Transparency list to define the transparency for the objects in the object group.
Repeat steps 3–5 for each row you add.
Use the Move up and Move down buttons to change the order of the rows.

The reading order of the rows is from bottom to upwards. If an object belongs to several groups, the upmost row defines the color and transparency setting defined for the objects.
Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
Click Save as to save the settings.

Note:

If your setting does not contain the group All, Tekla Structures adds that row to the bottom of the list when you click Modify, Apply or OK.

Color settings in object representation


Option	Description
As is	The current color is used. If the object belongs to one of the object groups defined in the following rows, its color is defined by the settings that the object group in question has on that row.
Colors	Select color from the list.
Color by class	All parts are colored according to their Class property.
Color by lot	Parts belonging to different lots or phases get different colors according to the lot or phase number:
Color by phase
Color by analysis type	Displays parts according to the member analysis class.
Color by analysis utility check	Displays parts according to the utilization ratio in analysis.
Color by attribute	Displays parts in different colors according to the values of a user-defined attribute.

Transparency settings in object representation


Option	Description
As is	The current visibility. If the object belongs to any object group whose visibility and color settings have been defined, the settings will be read from that object group.
Visible	Object is shown in the views.
50% transparent	Object is transparent in the views.
70% transparent
90% transparent
Hidden	Object is not shown in the views.

Define your own colors for object groups in object representation

If the color properties are not sufficient, you can define your own colors.

On the View tab, click Representation to open the Object Representation dialog box.
Select an object group from the Object group list.
In the Color list, select Choose color....
Do one of the following:
- Click a color in the Basic colors palette.
- Click Define Custom Colors and create a color of your own:
  1. Click a color in the color window.
  2. Define the color depth by using the color bar on the right, or enter the exact RGB values.
  3. Click Add to Custom Colors.
  4. Click the color in the Custom colors palette to select it.
Click OK.
Click Save to save the changes.

When you open the Object Representation dialog box the next time, the Color list shows a maximum of 10 colors that you last defined. Customized colors are shown above the dashed line:

Information about the colors that you define for the object groups is stored in the used_custom_colors.clr file, which is located in the current model's \attributes folder.

Information about the colors that you add in the Custom colors palette is stored in the xs_user.xxx file in the model folder (xxx is your user name).

Copy object representation settings to another model

Select the settings you want to copy.

The settings you have created are located in the current model’s \attributes folder, and they have the file name extension .rep.
Select where you want to copy the settings.
- To make the settings available in another model, copy them to the \attributes folder of the destination model.
- To make the settings available in all models, copy them to the project or firm folder, defined by the advanced option XS_PROJECT or XS_FIRM.
Restart Tekla Structures.

If you want to delete the settings in the \attributes folder, select the .rep file and press Delete.