Apply Color and Transparency in Categories and Elements

Use the Categories tab in the NextGen viewer to apply color and transparency to model elements grouped by their IFC entity type, or to individual elements directly.

Apply Color or Transparency to a Category

To apply color or transparency to an entire category:

1. Open the NextGen viewer.
2. Open the Categories tab.
3. Select Categories of active models to view categories for models currently open in the viewer, or clear it to view every available category.
4. Select the category you want to change from the list.
5. Apply a color, a transparency value, or both.

Selecting a color or transparency option opens a small panel where you can fine-tune the exact color and opacity level before applying it.

Every element that shares the selected category updates, including elements from models you open later in the session.

Override Color or Transparency for an Individual Element

To apply a color or transparency setting to a single element without affecting the rest of its category:

1. Open the NextGen viewer.
2. Select the element in the model tree or in the 3D view.
3. Right-click the element or use the inline icons.
4. Apply color or transparency.

Selecting either option opens a small panel where you can fine-tune the exact color and opacity level before applying it.

The element-level setting takes priority over the category-level setting for that element, even if the category’s color or transparency changes afterward.

Reset an Element-Level Override

To remove an override and return an element to its category-level setting:

1. Open the NextGen viewer.
2. Select the element in the model tree.
3. Right-click the element or use the inline icons.
4. Select the reset color or reset transparency options.

The element takes on whatever color or transparency is currently set at the category level. If no category-level setting exists, the element returns to its default appearance.

Save a Color or Transparency Configuration

Category and element-level color and transparency settings are session-based. They reset if you exit the activity center, refresh the browser, or reopen the model.

To keep a configuration:

1. Set the colors and transparency you want, at the category level, the element level, or both.
2. Make sure the colored elements are visible in the current view.
3. Open the Saved views tab.
4. Click Create view.
5. Enter a name for the view.

Returning to this saved view restores the color and transparency configuration exactly as you left it.

Related Items

• Categories and Elements Feature Overview
• Create and Manage Saved Views