when I use

            from chimera import dialogs

            ce = dialogs.display('color editor')

it brings up the color editor, but model colors do not change.

with the color editor viewable, I access color editor through the pull down menu (which does not change the color editor's position), then it works.

Seems like I need to associate a model with the editor in the code.

I have the model selected before I issue the commands, no difference.