About Color-coding for Constraint Networks

The Color-coding for Constraint Networks command uses a color map to illustrate the various constraints such as under-defined, well-defined, over-defined, and fixed. Color coding is particularly beneficial for viewing constraints of complex parts.

See Also
About 3D Constraints

Colors are applied to geometrical elements depending on the following statuses:

ColorMeaningDefinition


Under-defined

A tan under-defined constraint indicates that degrees of freedom remain available. The element can be moved, even partially, or along a single direction without impacting other constrained elements.



Well-defined

A green well-defined constraint indicates that there is no degree of freedom available and that the element is correctly constrained. The constraint values can be modified should a solution be possible.



Over-defined

A pink over-defined constraint indicates that there is a conflict of degrees of freedom and the element cannot be moved. Connected constraints cannot be complied with.



Fixed

A yellow fixed constraint indicates that the element is fixed, or locked, and cannot be modified.



Not Consistent

An orange constraint indicates that the values are not consistent and there is no solution is available for the current value of the constraint.

Colorized elements can be:

  • wires, including all lines and constrained vertices (if any)
  • skins, all surfaces and constrained edges
  • solids, all surfaces and constrained edges
The image below illustrates different colorized constraint networks:



Important: Colors are not visible during manipulation, but become so upon release only. The behavior of this command is modal, meaning that two color coding tools (surface or group) cannot be activated simultaneously; activating one of them will make the other unavailable. Mirror and groups are not colorized.