A simple line won't accept color ???

Terry Capps · 6th February 2022, 01:31 PM

I used to be able to create a "line" consisting of two or more vertices and give it a color like Red, but now a line won't accept a color or at least the color doesn't show up on the display. I used the line to create a path for extrusion.

I am running in Windows 11 with an NVIDIA GeForce GT220 graphics card.

Is there something that I need to tweak?

Andy · 10th February 2022, 05:22 AM

No known problems with a system like that.

Make sure the surface-type is line (otherwise it's a bad polygon).

If the line is selected, it may not show color changes. Press the eye icon (top left of views) to see a clean image with no selection.

Let me know if you still have problems.

Terry Capps · 10th February 2022, 12:30 PM

I always select "line" for the surface type. The line that I create shows up on the display as gray regardless of what color I select. If I select "surface" mode and then select the line, the message at the bottom of the screen says that the material selected is "3" (if I specified Red).

Clicking on the Inspect (or eye) icon removes grid lines and vertices, but the line still appears gray. Changing the thickness of the line to "2" didn't help.

I think that I am going to try reinstalling AC3D to see if the problem is still there.

Andy · 10th February 2022, 12:37 PM

It could be a graphics library problem but nVidia libraires are usually excellent.

Perhaps check the control panel for the graphics card and see if any settings jump out as a possible problem. Particularly look for anti-alias being switched on since that can interfere with selection when "select-through" is switched off.

Terry Capps · 10th February 2022, 03:00 PM

I have tried turning the Anti-Aliasing off, but it didn't help. I have attached an image
of the NVIDIA control panel settings for ac3d. Any suggestions about what to tweak?

Andy · 10th February 2022, 04:29 PM

They look OK, as far as I can see.

Is this a new graphics card or computer, or OS/Drivers?

Terry Capps · 11th February 2022, 11:07 AM

I recently bought the computer (Win10 Pro upgraded to Win11)
PowerSpec B684 Desktop - Intel Core i5 Gen 10400 2.9GHz

The Graphics card is a ZOTAC GT220 SYNERGY EDITION 1GB DDR2 which came out in 2009
Most recent drivers for this card downloaded from NVIDIA website.

Andy · 11th February 2022, 11:15 AM

That computer has built-in Intel graphics. They won't be fast graphics but it would be interesting to see if lines are colored under that.

When AC3D starts, it displays the graphics library that's detected in the black window. If you can switch off acceleration for AC3D it might drop back to Intel, which will be reported when AC3D starts. Otherwise you could try removing the graphics card, or switching it off in BIOS.

If that handles colored lines then that would indicate that the problem is with the drivers or the card.

Terry Capps · 2nd March 2022, 01:06 PM

I removed the NVIDIA Graphics card and connected my HDMI monitor to the HDMI
connector on the computer's motherboard so the display will be using the computer's
built-in Intel graphics.

A simple two-vertice line still appears as gray regardless of what color is specified
even though AC3D will report the number of the material that you specified if you
click on it while in surface mode.

Andy · 2nd March 2022, 01:10 PM

Strange. Is there no color if you click the eye icon (top left of a view)?

6th February 2022, 01:31 PM	#1
Terry Capps Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 133	A simple line won't accept color ??? I used to be able to create a "line" consisting of two or more vertices and give it a color like Red, but now a line won't accept a color or at least the color doesn't show up on the display. I used the line to create a path for extrusion. I am running in Windows 11 with an NVIDIA GeForce GT220 graphics card. Is there something that I need to tweak?

10th February 2022, 05:22 AM	#2
Andy Administrator Professional user Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,564	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? No known problems with a system like that. Make sure the surface-type is line (otherwise it's a bad polygon). If the line is selected, it may not show color changes. Press the eye icon (top left of views) to see a clean image with no selection. Let me know if you still have problems.

10th February 2022, 12:30 PM	#3
Terry Capps Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 133	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? I always select "line" for the surface type. The line that I create shows up on the display as gray regardless of what color I select. If I select "surface" mode and then select the line, the message at the bottom of the screen says that the material selected is "3" (if I specified Red). Clicking on the Inspect (or eye) icon removes grid lines and vertices, but the line still appears gray. Changing the thickness of the line to "2" didn't help. I think that I am going to try reinstalling AC3D to see if the problem is still there.

10th February 2022, 12:37 PM	#4
Andy Administrator Professional user Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,564	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? It could be a graphics library problem but nVidia libraires are usually excellent. Perhaps check the control panel for the graphics card and see if any settings jump out as a possible problem. Particularly look for anti-alias being switched on since that can interfere with selection when "select-through" is switched off.

10th February 2022, 03:00 PM	#5
Terry Capps Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 133	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? I have tried turning the Anti-Aliasing off, but it didn't help. I have attached an image of the NVIDIA control panel settings for ac3d. Any suggestions about what to tweak? Attached Images

10th February 2022, 04:29 PM	#6
Andy Administrator Professional user Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,564	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? They look OK, as far as I can see. Is this a new graphics card or computer, or OS/Drivers?

11th February 2022, 11:07 AM	#7
Terry Capps Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 133	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? I recently bought the computer (Win10 Pro upgraded to Win11) PowerSpec B684 Desktop - Intel Core i5 Gen 10400 2.9GHz The Graphics card is a ZOTAC GT220 SYNERGY EDITION 1GB DDR2 which came out in 2009 Most recent drivers for this card downloaded from NVIDIA website.

11th February 2022, 11:15 AM	#8
Andy Administrator Professional user Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,564	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? That computer has built-in Intel graphics. They won't be fast graphics but it would be interesting to see if lines are colored under that. When AC3D starts, it displays the graphics library that's detected in the black window. If you can switch off acceleration for AC3D it might drop back to Intel, which will be reported when AC3D starts. Otherwise you could try removing the graphics card, or switching it off in BIOS. If that handles colored lines then that would indicate that the problem is with the drivers or the card.

2nd March 2022, 01:06 PM	#9
Terry Capps Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 133	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? I removed the NVIDIA Graphics card and connected my HDMI monitor to the HDMI connector on the computer's motherboard so the display will be using the computer's built-in Intel graphics. A simple two-vertice line still appears as gray regardless of what color is specified even though AC3D will report the number of the material that you specified if you click on it while in surface mode.

2nd March 2022, 01:10 PM	#10
Andy Administrator Professional user Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,564	Re: A simple line won't accept color ??? Strange. Is there no color if you click the eye icon (top left of a view)?