xcode Interface Builder background color preference

Question

It seems odd, so i am likely just missing it in preferences, but how does one change the actual background color of IB in Xcode? Not any of the elements, but the actual blinding white of the standard IB? Too much contrast and when you zoom out, the view controllers almost disappear..

Thanks for any tips..

Answer 1

I've gone ahead and created an Xcode plugin that changes the background color of the storyboard editor. You can find the source at rpendleton/xcode-canvas-color . I've hardcoded it to a light gray color, as shown in the screenshot below, but this can be changed easily.

(Also, I don't think you're missing a setting for it. When I decompiled Xcode, the drawRect method for the background view explicitly called [[NSColor whiteColor] set] .)

Answer 2

One doesn't. Submitting a feature request to Apple is your only hope.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, with recent changes to Xcode, Ryan Pendleton's plugin is no longer a viable option. (unless you are willing to break Xcode's code signing, which can be quite problematic.) However, the good news is that there is now an official solution -- so long as you are willing to upgrade to OS X 10.14 Mojave: Upgrade to OS X 10.14 Mojave and turn on Dark mode. When Dark Mode is enabled, the background in Interface Builder darkens to a nice, eye-pleasing dark gray color. Navigating around a large storyboard is now MUCH easier (and less eye-scorching :) )

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