A while ago, I started making a bundle that would set ChimeraX's theme to solarized light. Solarized light should be easier on the eyes than the default light theme, but still make black icons or other UI elements stand out. Unfortunately, it didn't survive a hard drive failure. I might spend some free time trying to redo that.

In the meantime, I've grabbed a dark theme style sheet from another app, made a few changes and tossed it in a bundle: https://github.com/ajs99778/ChimeraX_DarkTheme/tree/main/dist. You can download the .whl file, then install it by running toolshed install "path\to\ChimeraX_DarkTheme-0.1-py3-none-any.whl"​ on the ChimeraX command line. You can check ChimeraX's current folder with the pwd​ command or move to another folder with the cd​ command. I know this works on ChimeraX 1.1 and the 1.2 daily builds, but I haven't tested older versions.

It should be easier on the eyes, but I'm not too happy with how this theme looks at the moment (see attached). The log's color isn't changed either. It'll need some more work before I submit it to the toolshed.

Tony
From: ChimeraX-users <chimerax-users-bounces@cgl.ucsf.edu> on behalf of vpetryc@gwdg.de <vpetryc@gwdg.de>
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 11:55 AM
To: ChimeraX Users Help <chimerax-users@cgl.ucsf.edu>
Subject: Re: [chimerax-users] Black/Dark Theme
 
[EXTERNAL SENDER - PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY]

Hi Eline,

I use Windows, and it doesn't work there for me.

Best regards,
Valentyn 

On Jan 12, 2021 17:21, Elaine Meng <meng@cgl.ucsf.edu> wrote:
Hi Valentyn,
I tried setting my Mac system preferences (General section) to dark mode.  After that, the ChimeraX toolbar and most of the ChimeraX tools have a dark background: Model Panel, Volume Viewer, etc. Exceptions are the Log and sequence windows.  However, this makes the Volume Viewer histogram impossible to see because it is black on black. Screenshot attached.
Elaine
-----
Elaine C. Meng, Ph.D.                       
UCSF Chimera(X) team
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
University of California, San Francisco




On Jan 12, 2021, at 3:44 AM, Petrychenko, Valentyn <valentyn.petrychenko@mpibpc.mpg.de> wrote:

Dear ChimeraX Developers Team,
 
Do you have in your features list an dark or black GUI theme? 
I understand that stylistic features have lover priority than a really useful ones, but during many hours of work every day in ChimeraX white GUI eyes getting tired especially at late hours and especially when it contrasts with dark interface of the rest of the system and other dark themed software.  
I really looking forward to see a dark theme feature in future updates.

Respectfully yours,
Valentyn Petrychenko
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