Visual Styles

It is possible to change the overall style and color of the Enterprise Architect user interface to match the standard styles (or themes) of a number of Microsoft Office and Visual Studio product releases. The styles are applied uniformly across all displays, dialogs, windows, views and ribbons.

To test the style that you are developing, simply click on the Apply button.

This image illustrates the 'Microsoft Office 2016'® style, using different themes and accent colors.

Access

Ribbon

Start > Workspace > Visual Style

Reset the style of the user interface

Define the visual style you want to use, on the 'Application Look' dialog.

Option	Action	See also
(top field)	Click on the drop-down arrow and select the application style you want to apply.
Theme	For certain application styles, you can also apply a color theme. If this field is enabled, click on the drop-down arrow and select the required theme color or tone.
Accent Color	For certain application styles, you can also change the accent color for messages and highlights. If this field is enabled, click on the drop-down arrow and select the required accent color.
Code Editor	Click on the drop-down arrow and select an option to apply, within the code editor views: The automatic default background color of the code panel for the application style A dark background for the code panel, or A light background for the code panel You can also re-set the dark and light backgrounds on the 'Editor Language Properties' dialog.	Editor Language Properties
Diagram	Defaults to the diagram theme currently set in the 'Preferences' dialog. If you want to apply a different diagram theme, click on the drop-down arrow and select the required theme.	Diagram Theme Options
Workspace Orientation	Many of the workspace layouts have a left orientation or a right orientation, most easily observable in the side of the screen that the Project Browser displays on. You can use this 'Workspace Orientation' field to specify the orientation you prefer - click on the drop-down arrow and select either 'Left' or 'Right' to automatically position the Project Browser and related displays in your preferred workspace on the corresponding side of the screen.
Default Note Zoom	Click on the drop-down arrow and select the percentage zoom or magnification (from 90% up to 150%) to apply to the text in the Notes window and any text field that has the Notes toolbar at the top.	Notes
Show Menu Icons	Select this checkbox to display icons next to the menu options (where they have been assigned). Deselect the checkbox to hide the icons and show simple lists of text options.
Docked Windows Tabs on bottom (restart)	When a docked window has tabs, by default the tab names display at the top of the window. If you want to display the tab names along the bottom of the window, select this checkbox. The change does not take effect until you shut down and restart Enterprise Architect.
Main View Tabs at Bottom (restart)	When a main view has tabs, by default the tab names display at the top of the view. If you prefer to display the tab names along the bottom of the view, select this checkbox. The change does not take effect until you shut down and restart Enterprise Architect.	Diagram Tabs
Property Sheets use Tree Style	By default 'Properties' dialogs and various other screens present sections of data on tabs. If you prefer to display the sections of data on dialog pages, where you choose the pages from a tree or hierarchy on the left of the dialog, select this checkbox.	Properties Dialog
Use Property List for Elements	By default element 'Properties' dialogs show the main properties as a series of fields on the right of the dialog. If you prefer to display the properties as a simple list of names and editable values, select this checkbox.	Properties Window
Increase Note Paragraph Spacing	Increases the paragraph spacing from the default, in all new text in the Notes window and all text fields with the Notes toolbar at the top. The change is applied to all paragraph styles, including bullet and number lists. The paragraph spacing is increased in existing text when you open and close a dialog containing that text. When you deselect the option, all new Notes text reverts to the default spacing.
Show Tips in Status Bar (restart)	Displays the tool-tips for ribbon options, context menus, diagram objects and toolboxes in the Status Bar at the foot of the screen. This option defaults to selected. If you prefer to show the tooltip floating near the moused-over object, clear the checkbox. You must restart Enterprise Architect to apply the selection.
OK	Click on this button to save and apply the changes, and close the dialog.
Cancel	Click on this button to cancel the changes and close the dialog.
Apply	Click on this button to apply the changes but keep the dialog open for further editing. If a change takes immediate effect, you can see it on any open windows and then, if you prefer something different, change the setting. If you click on the Apply button and the Cancel button, the changes still take effect.