RFE: convenient if "color fromatom" could work on atom/residue labels

[Elaine Meng]

As per chimerax-users exchange ​https://mail.cgl.ucsf.edu/mailman/archives/list/chimerax-users@cgl.ucsf.edu/thread/UJ4MMK3QSUV5WMXPYWXOYI3X7ILDGLWR/

namely, user NG, Cheukhei Jackie [Student] asks:
I am trying to use 2D labels on selections of multiple chains, is there a good way to apply colored 2D labels on my selection consistent to the chain color the selection came from? e.g. Selected chain A(red) and B(blue), the atom label applied on chain A will automatically appear red and for chain B blue.

Elaine: In Chimera the labels would already be colored to match the chains, or at least the atoms, because they inherited the color somehow. In ChimeraX they appear as white and it is somewhat tedious to color them to match the corresponding atoms, so it would be handy if you could do something like:

open 4hhb
color bychain
label :hem height 3
color fromatoms target l

[Tom Goddard]

The person who asked on the mailing list needed 2D labels, not 3D labels and of course 2D labels have no associated atom or residue.

Still making the 3D labels match the atom or residue colors could be useful although I think the current default of using a single color (white on black background or black on white background) is by far more useful. I'll wait to hear that someone really needs this.

[Elaine Meng]

They were talking about 3D labels.  "2D labels" in their message was a red herring.

[Elaine Meng]

Actually to me the white labels were initially surprising, since in Chimera they would have come up matching the colors of the atoms.  I have wished for this feature in the past personally, but I agree I don't count as a regular user!

[Tom Goddard]

The user list question is not a compelling example of the need to color 3D labels since she should not have been using 3D labels for the publication figure as you told her.