Color Usage

You can modify the color of edges, faces and bodies when selecting an object.

See Working with Layers to change the layer color or move an object to a different layer.

Use the Style Override tool in the Style ribbon group of the Display tab to override the layer color for solids, surfaces, faces, and curves.

If you change the color when nothing is selected, the color will become the default for new objects. This allows you to set the color for things you haven't created yet, without using layers and default layer colors.