Shaded edge color does'nt retain its settings !

[ErikvD]

I'am facing the following problem:

If I start modeling a body or import a body in "shaded view mode" this specific body looks fine to me.
The body is fully shaded with all its edges shaded in the same body color (see image A).

This is because i've set this in the preferences and my customer defaults as wel.

## preferences _ visualization _ visual(tab) _ shaded edge color = set to body color.

## customer defaults _ gateway _ visualization _ visual(tab) _ shaded edge color = set to body color.

Every time I am running a fresh NX5 start these settings are active and running.

So far so good, but..............
If I switch just once between shaded mode and wireframe the body edges in shaded mode are no longer the same.
Now these edges are changed to a "specified color" ,black in my case.
This means that my shaded body looks quite different then before and worse of all I can't get it back except a fresh NX start-up.

The menu, ## preferences _ visualization _ visual(tab) _ shaded edge color has also changed form set to body color to specified color.
And the strange thing is that this doesn't count for the settings in the customer defaults, they still remain the same, isn't that strange ?

In order to illustrate this I've attached a picture:
Image A = edges in body color.
Image B = the more or less automatically transformed edges in specified system collor (black).

Is there anyone who has an explanation or solution for this issue?

Kind Regards

ErikvD
Zebra-cad 3D services
the Netherlands

 

[NXPERSON]

ErikvD

When switching between wire frame mode and shaded modes in the Rendering Style menus, pick the Shaded option instead of the Shaded with Edges option. The Shaded with Edges turns on edge emphasis.

The render setting appears to be part specific, that is, if the part is closed with the Shaded with Edges option turn on, it will re-open with the edges emphasized.

Hope this helps.

NxPerson

 

[ErikvD]

Hi NXPERSON,

I'am aware of the fact that the visual-settings are renderingsmode specific.

I also would like to mention that my earlier discribed change in edge display, happens during the normal modeling activities, so without closing the part or something.

Furthermore I prefer the "shaded with edges" against the regular shaded mode because it helps me to pick edges during the selection process.

I'am a former NX3 user and In that release it worked well for me and NX retained it's edge settings.

ErikvD

 

[Xwheelguy]

ErikvD,

How is Shaded Mode with body color edges ON any different in regards to selection than Shaded Mode with edges OFF? Either way, you should still be able to select edges.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

Some people are like slinkies....they don't really have a purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

 

[hudson888]

Tim,

You can see the edges better if they're a contrasting color. When you're working something fairly complex that needs to be cut and shut and a face that is meant to be trimmed to another but does not precisely coincide then upon uniting there will be extra undesired edges often known as wounds on the model. Shading with contrasting edge display is one of the best ways to spot these.

However I suspect that a lot of people who prefer this simply do so because they may have come from another CAD system that tends to display similarly.

Regards

Hudson

 

[JohnRBaker]

Note that we are aware of this 'behavior', which was the result of a series of changes made in NX 4 based on feedback from a large number of users gathered over a long period of time. To now go back and change this would be very difficult since the old code has been removed and new view-based code was written such that, as was agreed to by all involved (including myself), 'Specify Color' was to be given precedence in all situations.

In fact, there's even discussions to consider perhaps removing the 'Body Color' option altogether so as to simplify an area of the code that continues to be troublesome even in it's new form since, if one looks carefully, switching from 'Specify Color' to 'Body Color' isn't as simple as jsut replacing say 'Black' edges with whatever the color of the solid is. We also have to change the actual color of the faces inorder to even see the edges against the same body color so you're not even seeing the true color of the model with this option on.

Anyway, that's where this stands and unless someone can demonstrate some show-stopper situation where the only practical solution is the use of 'Body Color' for the edges of the model, I don't think we will be making any changes, except perhaps to remove the capability altogether, as mentioned above.


John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

 

[hudson888]

John,

If I read this right then the black edges rather than the body colored ones would be the default. In that case my understanding would be that I can choose in favor of higher contrast and the system will prefer that default. Therefore I think I would support that choice. I imagine that for those who wanted to do so they could specify the shaded edge color to be the same or close to the body color and everyone's a winner.

Best Regards

Hudson

 

[JohnRBaker]

Yea, that's about how it went. The contrast issue was a big complaint and besides, once people got used to the default Black edges, while no edges still has it's place, most users hardly ever thought twice about it again. The fact that you can see all the faces of the model and the dark contrasting edges helps to communicate the shape of the model, this becames more important to most users than having a lot of different options.



John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

 

[Xwheelguy]

hudson,

I did not see any mention of contrasting colors. Body color means the edges are the same color as the solid body, no? So if they're both the same color, how is that making SELECTION (not visibility) any easier or harder? Edges highlight no matter what color they are.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

Some people are like slinkies....they don't really have a purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

 

[ErikvD]

nkwheelguy,

It's correct that edges always highlight no matter if your in "shaded with edges" or just "shaded mode" (without edges).
It's just that before you a specific edge pick in "shaded" mode you have to guess where that edge is.
If your modeling, let's say the regualar constructional shapes it's very predictable, especially if your an experienced user.

But when your modeling complex freeform surfaces which are build of several patches its no longer that simpel to predict.

The reason I started this thread is just my personal taste that a shaded body with edges in the same bodycolor looks better.If I send a JPG to a client from an (translucent)assemblie with several components al these shaded edges in black instead of body color, looks like knitting yarn.

thanks everybody in this thread for your respons, at least I know now that In NX5 it's normal behaivior.

ErikvD
Zebra-cad 3D services
the Netherlands

 

[Xwheelguy]

Erik,

I was unable to see your image until switching to another computer. Now I understand what you're talking about. I figured body colored edges would produce a similar looking model to a fully shaded model without edges highlighted. I never use this setting and stick to shaded mode without edges and just push the edge button when I need to see them. Sorry for the confusion.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

Some people are like slinkies....they don't really have a purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.