Color scheme dilemma

[Mike Daniell]

More cue types are being added to SCS, and I'm fast running out of easily distinguishable colors for cue types - in fact, I'm already doubling up with some colors. So what do you think about ditching the separate colors and just standardizing on one color combination?

SCS already has a 'WinDef' color scheme that implements this, which primarily matches the Windows Default colors (typically black text on grey background). However, I'd prefer more 'jazzy' colors - even the reverse of Windows, such as very light grey text on black background. But I'm not a color specialist so would welcome your thoughts on (a) standardizing on a single color combination for all cue types, and (b) what that color combination should be.

[allcomp]

Dear Mike

I am very fond of and dependent on the individuel color designs of the cues. And it´s mainly because I have color synesthesia. Standardizing on one color combination sounds ok, but I need to make changes.

The ´jazzy colors´ is a good choice I think.

[Boswell]

I don't use the colours to distinguish Cue types.
Once a show is programmed, the operator is not interested in what type of cue it is, only what's running and what comes next
My performance pallet is set to
Completed cues Dark grey on Black (so almost invisible)
Running cue black on red
counting down black on pale yellow
Next manual cue black on Cerise (so it stands out on the screen)
Note cue, red on yellow
Cues yet to be run, Black on light green
Hot key, red on black

I also never use designer mode

Scs_colors file attached

[Buyaicia]

I use the same criteria as Boswell.
I set colors depending the status of the cue, not cue type.

[enigmatheatre]

I DO use the colours to distinguish Cue types. I think I would miss this when designing shows.
If it is to be removed then how would we know what the cue is doing? Would you add symbols to the cue list?

Greig.

[davidcoliver]

I also use the same criteria as Boswell.
I set colours depending the status of the cue, not cue type.
But I like to set my own
David

[Eric Snodgrass]

I'm always using SCS in Designer Mode because I'm always the operator. I've used it for five different productions in the past two weeks. I use it primarily for one-off events so I like to have the different colors based on cue type so I can easily distinguish between them in case the client needs to skip an audio or video cue.

[dee99]

I use the colours quite a lot, It is very nice to be able to set all the manual cues to a particular colour for example to stop the operator panicking and trying to trigger an auto cue but setting the next manual cue off.

[Mike Daniell]

I think the message is clear - the existing color scheme features will be retained. But I'll add some extra functionality, such as:

• All existing and new cue types will have color settings available
• Perhaps have an option set a cue type's colors the 'same as' another selected cue type. This is to simplify setting up schemes that primarily use the same colors for all cue types, but allowing for exceptions (such as in Boswell's example of the Note cue type which has different colors)
• Include buttons to export and import individual color schemes.