MEDM Color Standards

Any control button, slider, menu, related display, text entry etc that makes something happen should be BLUE (second row blue in the MEDM default color palette). This is useful because operators can quickly observe "hot spots" on a display where they can make something happen (change a value, call up another display, etc). The context or icon of "the blue thing" should adequately convey WHAT will happen if they click on it.

Text

All text updates should be displayed on a background that allows all alarm colors to be visible (if the alarm dynamic is set). We usually use light grey or dark grey (almost black). Another "RULE OF THUMB" that we tell the operators is "If the text is WHITE, don't believe the reading. The computer cannot communicate to it". Therefore, white static text is discouraged.

Likewise, since RED, GREEN, and YELLOW reflect alarm conditions, these colors should not be used for static text or text updates.

No colors are "disallowed" from being used for graphical images (magnets, waveguides, etc) because it is usually very obvious that these are pictures and NOT dynamic objects.

Colors

DIN Standards 4844 and 5381 shall be followed whenever possible.

Red is the 'danger color' Halt, Stop, Prohibited etc.

Yellow is used as a warning color.

Green means safety, ok, on etc.

Blue is used for giving directions, advice, signs, etc.