Dark color scheme for Eclipse?

Question

Is Eclipse at all themeable? I would like to install a dark color scheme for it, since I much prefer white text on dark background than the other way around.

Edit: so apparently there is NO easy way to do it. Shame, I really prefer Eclipse to NetBeans, but I cannot stand the white background (and NetBeans does support themes).

Answer 1

Here's a guy that posted his Eclipse preferences for changing the colors like a theme:

http://blog.codefront.net/2006/09/28/vibrant-ink-textmate-theme-for-eclipse/

And here's more about how to set the colors in the Ganymede Eclipse version (v. 3.4, mid 2008):

http://help.eclipse.org/ganymede/index.jsp?topic=/org.eclipse.platform.doc.user/concepts/accessibility/fontsandcolors.htm

Answer 2

Check this site: http://robrohan.com/projects/afae/.

Answer 3

As I replied to "Is there a simple, consistent way to change the color scheme of eclipse editors?":

I've been looking for this too and after a bit of research found a workable solution. This is based on the FDT editor for Eclipse, but I'm sure you could apply the same logic to other editors.

My blog post: Howto create a color-scheme for fdt

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I have to say, this is one area where Eclipse is really weak. Specifically, the import/export of preferences applies to ALL preferences. There is no way to import say just the fonts/color preferences (like you can with Visual Studio) without mucking up my key binding preferences.

Also, I have tried several of these preference files referenced above, and they completely break my Eclipse install.

Answer 5

For me it's not only frustrating, I get migraines after a few hours of looking at a white screen!

Answer 6

I played with customizing the colors. I went with the yellow text/blue background I've liked from Turbo Pascal. The problem I ran into was it let you set the colors of the editors but then the other views like Package Explorer or Navigator stayed with the default black-on-white colors. I'm sure you could do it programatically but there are waaaay to many settings for my patience.

Answer 7

I've created several color themes, and a script to extract a new one from someone's color preferences. I'm currently using one I still have yet to post on the site, but I should eventually get to it.

http://eclipsecolorthemes.jottit.com

Answer 8

So,

I have finally found exactly what I have been looking for, i.e. a dark theme for pydev (although I still feel like Eclipse is missing out on this)

Answer 9

Related post I made recently (includes dark themes)

Answer 10

This is another dark eclipse theme: http://blog.prabir.me/post/Dark-Eclipse-Theme.aspx.

I have the Visual Studio equivalent of the theme.

Answer 11

Here's a rev 0.0.1 of an attempt at a dark background colour scheme for Eclipse: http://bit.ly/maroloccio_epf. Screenshot: http://bit.ly/maroloccio_epf_preview. Any feedback at all? (this is a big departure from what I normally use for Vim, which is: http://bit.ly/maroloccio_vim)

Answer 12

For linux users, assuming you run compositing window manager (Compiz), you can just turn the window negative. I use eclipse like this all the time, the normal (whitie) looks is blowing my eyes of.

Answer 13

If you use Aptana then you can download a dark color theme! I have been looking for one recently and found the Aptana one. Thought others might be interested!

Check out: http://www.nightlion.net/themes/2009/aptana-dark-color-theme/

Answer 14

Hi there, I've created my own dark color scheme (based on Oblivion from gedit), which I think is very nice to work with.

Preview & details at: http://www.rogerdudler.com/?p=362

Answer 15

Checkout this color scheme I created for Eclipse PDT. It is based on the Vim Zenburn color scheme developed by slinky

Answer 16

In response to this comment I made a filter for Color Filter plugin for Compiz.

Here's what I got:

Howto:

1. Go to /usr/share/compiz/filters/
2. Create new file "negative-low-contrast" (as root)
3. Insert the attached code into it.
4. Go to System->Preferences->CompizConfig ...
5. Enter Color Filter Plugin
6. Enable it and add newly created filter to the list Profeet!!

Filter code:

!!ARBfp1.0
TEMP temp, neg;

# Dunno what's this... but every other filter starts with this :) ;
TEX temp, fragment.texcoord[0], texture[0], RECT;

# Applying negative filter ;
RCP neg.a, temp.a;
MAD temp.rgb, -neg.a, temp, 1.0;
MUL temp.rgb, temp.a, temp;
MUL temp, fragment.color, temp;

# Lowering contrast and shifting brightness ;
MUL temp.rgb, temp, 0.8;
ADD temp.rgb, temp, 0.25;

MOV result.color, temp;
END

You also can play with the filter. May be you will get something more facinating :) Feel free to share!

Answer 17

For the quick hack, on Linux running GNOME with a Windows keyboard, Windows-Key-M will inverse-color all windows, and Windows-Key-N will inverse color a single window. It's an awesome feature, in my book.