Color Elements By Value

Script Author: Ian Rivard

Description:

Colors elements based on a chosen scalar value. v1.04 complete rewrite supports element-based coloring by: thickness, area, material, E, EA, Et (E·t), CBUSH K1..K6 stiffness, group membership, or layer membership. Within each metric you can choose a sequential color ramp (low → high) or random / fixed colors per discrete category.

Use Instructions:

Run the tool. Pick metric (radio). For sequential metrics, set the low/high color slots. For categorical metrics (group, layer, material), pick random-per-category or fixed-color mode. Pick element selection (default: all). Confirm.

Requirements:

Open FEMAP model with the relevant property/material/group/layer infrastructure for the chosen metric.

Notes:

v1.04 routes random colors through a centralized next_random_color() helper that avoids the bad-color list (0/1 black, 24 yellow, 25/26 dark red/green, 49, 74, 125+). The helper falls back deterministically if the user-chosen color band contains no allowed colors. Replaces direct Rnd()*124 calls that occasionally landed on dark or yellow values that hid edges.

Advanced Users:

Pairs with Set Layer Colors (similar mechanism on layers themselves) and Set Colors & Filled Edges View (next_random_color also used there for per-property rerolls).

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