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Bug 169619

Summary:	Using Color in Eclipse-based Graphical User Interfaces
Product:	Community	Reporter:	Kim Peter <kpeter>
Component:	Articles	Assignee:	community.articles-inbox <community.articles-inbox>
Status:	RESOLVED WONTFIX	QA Contact:
Severity:	normal
Priority:	P5
Version:	unspecified
Target Milestone:	---
Hardware:	PC
OS:	Windows XP
Whiteboard:

Description Kim Peter

2007-01-04 19:11:16 EST

Assigning color that works both aesthetically and accessibly can be a challenge. Knowing what color approach to use and how to apply it to achieve the best result across operating system themes can lessen the challenge and make working with color fun.

In some cases, a single fixed color is suitable across all OS themes, for simplicity, focus, or cueing. In other cases, it is desirable to have colors adapt to the OS so that the base user interface blends into the native environment and allows for optimal focus on the task at hand. Both the Fixed and Adaptable Color approaches have value but come with their own complications, particularly with respect to accessibility. 

This article will describe the two color approaches and step through an example of each, emphasizing how to optimize color assignments to not only look good but be accessible across themes.

Expected completion date once initial feedback on description is collected: March 30, 2006 (sooner if possible).

Comment 1 Wayne Beaton

2007-01-18 10:05:24 EST

I assume that you mean March 30, 2007 :-)

This doesn't sound like it has a specific Eclipse focus. Still, it sounds like an important topic.

Do you think that somebody from the platform ui team might be interested in doing peer review?

Comment 2 Kim Peter

2007-01-22 09:14:11 EST

(In reply to comment #1)
> I assume that you mean March 30, 2007 :-)
Yes, my head was still in 2006 when I wrote it ;-)
It's likely this date will be later to give me time after EclipseCon to finish it up. Revise end date goal for April 30, 2007.

> This doesn't sound like it has a specific Eclipse focus. Still, it sounds like
> an important topic.
The Adaptable Color approach is pretty Eclipse-specific in that SWT uses color assignments that map to the various OSs, so one color name, such as LIST_SELECTION, will pick up the color that is specific to each OS theme. The Fixed Color approach is more generalizable but both approaches described will use Eclipse or Eclipse-based product examples.

> Do you think that somebody from the platform ui team might be interested in
> doing peer review?
Dejan Glozic would be ideal both as reviewer and someone who could provide code examples. Anyone working in accessibility would also be valuable. In addition to Platform UI folks, I hope to have James Moody review and possibly contribute, if he has the time.

Comment 3 Wayne Beaton

2008-05-13 16:39:26 EDT

Marking as LATER. Reopen when you have time to work on it.

Comment 4 Eclipse Webmaster

2009-08-30 02:49:42 EDT

LATER/REMIND bugs are being automatically reopened as P5 because the LATER and REMIND resolutions are deprecated.

Comment 5 Wayne Beaton

2014-10-06 15:55:07 EDT

We're no longer taking articles for Eclipse Corner. Further, this bug has been in the system with little activity for some time. Feel free to reopen.