Strategy for colored item

[IanMayo]

In the "Outline View", we display a list of the currently visible objects:

Most items use the normal blue/red color scheme. But for shapes, and some colored items, we display the color in the outline view - to help the user distinguish between items.

Currently, we apply the relevant color to the plain shape icon:

I'd like to come up with a more sophisticated way of doing this. I'd like the icon to have blue or red/blue components, plus a "hint" of the actual color of that icon.

The specific color should be quite clear, to help the user find the item he's looking for.

Any suggestions?

[IanMayo]

@pecko - do you think it will be possible to do this?

To display an icon that has red/blue elements, but where we replace another shade with the specific color for that shape?

[pecko]

We should experiment. That is only for positions. Right?

[IanMayo]

@pecko - no, I was thinking of shapes/annotations.

But, you're correct - I should pursue a similar strategy for positions.

Once the designer @PixHive has produced a first version, I'll pass it to you for experimenting.

[jsmarting]

Can we take each color icon one by one to test ?
I will make all icons in given colors.

[IanMayo]

Nice thought. Unfortunately, the users are able to choose any shade.

So, I guess we will have to produce an icon in blue, red plus one other shade. My code will then switch that shade for the actual shade used.

[pecko]

To display an icon that has red/blue elements, but where we replace another shade with the specific color for that shape?

Maybe we could do something similar Eclipse decorates the entries in the Package Explorer. For instance, we show shape/annotations/what ever with its icon and add a little decorator icon with specific color in top left (or top right/down left/down right) angle.