To Work With Backgrounds and Shadows

Specify solid, gradient, image, or sun/sky backgrounds in Model Space viewports.

Control the Display of Shadows

1. Click View tabVisual Styles panelVisual Styles Manager. Find
2. Select any visual style, other than 2D Wireframe, to change its settings.
3. Change available settings for the selected style. Under Lighting, set:
   • Highlight Intensity
   • Shadow Display

Display the View Manager to Set a Background

1. Click View tab Views panel View Manager. Find
2. In the View Manager, click the view name you want to change. If the view is not already displayed, expand the appropriate View list.

Set a Solid Viewport Background

1. In the Properties panel, under General, click the Background Override field and select Solid.
2. In the Background dialog box, under Color, click the swatch.
3. In the Select Color dialog box, specify the color you want to use for the background and click OK.
4. In the Background dialog box, click OK to return to the View Manager.
5. In the View Manager, click Set Current and click OK.

Set a Gradient Viewport Background

1. In the Properties panel, under General, click the Background Override field and select Gradient.
2. In the Background dialog box, specify the desired options for the gradient fill.
   • Click Three Color to create a three color gradient background.
   • Click on the color swatches to display the Select Color dialog box to specify the colors you want to use.
   • Enter a rotation value for the gradient fill in the Rotation text box.
3. In the Background dialog box, click OK to return to the View Manager.
4. In the View Manager, click Set Current and click OK.

Set an Image as a Viewport Background

1. In the Properties panel, click the Background Override field and select Image.
2. Click Browse and specify the image for the background.
3. Click Adjust Image.
4. In the Adjust Background Image dialog box, specify the desired options for the image and click OK.
   • Specify the position for the image by choosing an option from the Image Position drop-down list.
   • Click Offset or Scale to adjust what functionality the sliders have.
   • Click Maintain Aspect Ratio When Scaling to have the image scale uniformly.
   • Drag the sliders to adjust the offset or scale of the image based on the current setting.
5. In the Background dialog box, click OK to return to the View Manager.
6. In the View Manager, click Set Current and click OK.

Set a Sun/Sky Viewport Background

Before changing the background, make sure that photometric lighting is enabled:

1. Click Visualize tab Lights panel and choose either:
   • American Lighting Units
   • International Lighting Units

   Display the View Manager

2. In the Properties panel, click the Background Override field and select Sun & Sky.
3. In the Adjust Sun & Sky Background dialog box, specify the desired options for the background and click OK.
4. Click OK to return to the View Manager.
5. In the View Manager, click Set Current and click OK.