Map 3D: Background color vs Object colors

October 22, 2025 Leo Lavayen

When working in AutoCAD the display of objects using color 7 (white) with a white background compared to when the background is black, a built in correction for display can be seen:

AutoCAD is elegant in its intuitive display of objects, unlike Map 3D when objects match the background color when working with color 7 (white).

THE ISSUE:  

When working in Map 3D Feature Data Objects (FDO) and the color 7 (white) is assigned while a BLACK  background is set the look is as expected, similar to AutoCAD entities.

When connected Feature Data Objects (FDO) use color 7 (white) and a WHITE background color is used, the automatically “flip” like AutoCAD does NOT happen.  Map 3D FDO entities WILL disappear: 


If, a close to BLACK color is instead used for the Map 3D objects on a WHITE background.  

Then, an issue is faced for the MAP 3D FDO objects are set to BLACK when the background is set to BLACK  - again the objects disappear.


THE SOLUTION:  

Adding a background to the geometry or a ghost to text entities as in the opposite color, options:

  • White objects with Black outlines
  • Black objects with White outlines

With outlines created, FDO object on a WHITE background can look like this: 

With outlines created, FDO objects on a BLACK  background can look like this: 

Simple style edit can help with the display of objects when objects colors are close to the background color.

Hope you have enjoyed this simple write up, if you liked this post.  If you are interested in more solutins like this, the IMAGINiT team can help you.

here

About the Author

Leo Lavayen

Civil Applications Expert<br><br>As an Applications Expert, Leo is responsible for supporting, training and implementation of software for survey and civil engineering professionals. He has more than 20 years of experience helping large and small, public and private clients in the eastern United States.

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