diff --git a/coretk/coretk/dialogs/colorpicker.py b/coretk/coretk/dialogs/colorpicker.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9734468d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/coretk/coretk/dialogs/colorpicker.py
@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+"""
+custom color picker
+"""
+import logging
+import tkinter as tk
+from tkinter import ttk
+
+from coretk.dialogs.dialog import Dialog
+
+
+class ColorPicker(Dialog):
+    def __init__(self, master, app, initcolor="#000000"):
+        super().__init__(master, app, "color picker", modal=True)
+        self.red_entry = None
+        self.blue_entry = None
+        self.green_entry = None
+        self.hex_entry = None
+        self.red_label = None
+        self.green_label = None
+        self.blue_label = None
+        self.display = None
+        self.color = initcolor
+        red, green, blue = self.get_rgb(initcolor)
+        self.red = tk.IntVar(value=red)
+        self.blue = tk.IntVar(value=blue)
+        self.green = tk.IntVar(value=green)
+        self.hex = tk.StringVar(value=initcolor)
+        self.red_scale = tk.IntVar(value=red)
+        self.green_scale = tk.IntVar(value=green)
+        self.blue_scale = tk.IntVar(value=blue)
+        self.draw()
+        self.set_bindings()
+
+    def askcolor(self):
+        self.show()
+        return self.color
+
+    def draw(self):
+        self.top.columnconfigure(0, weight=1)
+        # rgb frames
+        frame = ttk.Frame(self.top)
+        frame.columnconfigure(0, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(1, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(2, weight=6)
+        frame.columnconfigure(3, weight=2)
+        label = ttk.Label(frame, text="R: ")
+        label.grid(row=0, column=0)
+        self.red_entry = ttk.Entry(
+            frame,
+            width=4,
+            textvariable=self.red,
+            validate="key",
+            validatecommand=(self.app.validation.rgb, "%P"),
+        )
+        self.red_entry.grid(row=0, column=1, sticky="nsew")
+        scale = ttk.Scale(
+            frame,
+            from_=0,
+            to=255,
+            value=0,
+            # length=200,
+            orient=tk.HORIZONTAL,
+            variable=self.red_scale,
+            command=lambda x: self.scale_callback(self.red_scale, self.red),
+        )
+        scale.grid(row=0, column=2, sticky="nsew")
+        self.red_label = ttk.Label(
+            frame, background="#%02x%02x%02x" % (self.red.get(), 0, 0), width=5
+        )
+        self.red_label.grid(row=0, column=3, sticky="nsew")
+        frame.grid(row=0, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+
+        frame = ttk.Frame(self.top)
+        frame.columnconfigure(0, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(1, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(2, weight=6)
+        frame.columnconfigure(3, weight=2)
+        label = ttk.Label(frame, text="G: ")
+        label.grid(row=0, column=0)
+        self.green_entry = ttk.Entry(
+            frame,
+            width=4,
+            textvariable=self.green,
+            validate="key",
+            validatecommand=(self.app.validation.rgb, "%P"),
+        )
+        self.green_entry.grid(row=0, column=1, sticky="nsew")
+        scale = ttk.Scale(
+            frame,
+            from_=0,
+            to=255,
+            value=0,
+            # length=200,
+            orient=tk.HORIZONTAL,
+            variable=self.green_scale,
+            command=lambda x: self.scale_callback(self.green_scale, self.green),
+        )
+        scale.grid(row=0, column=2, sticky="nsew")
+        self.green_label = ttk.Label(
+            frame, background="#%02x%02x%02x" % (0, self.green.get(), 0), width=5
+        )
+        self.green_label.grid(row=0, column=3, sticky="nsew")
+        frame.grid(row=1, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+
+        frame = ttk.Frame(self.top)
+        frame.columnconfigure(0, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(1, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(2, weight=6)
+        frame.columnconfigure(3, weight=2)
+        label = ttk.Label(frame, text="B: ")
+        label.grid(row=0, column=0)
+        self.blue_entry = ttk.Entry(
+            frame,
+            width=4,
+            textvariable=self.blue,
+            validate="key",
+            validatecommand=(self.app.validation.rgb, "%P"),
+        )
+        self.blue_entry.grid(row=0, column=1, sticky="nsew")
+        scale = ttk.Scale(
+            frame,
+            from_=0,
+            to=255,
+            value=0,
+            # length=200,
+            orient=tk.HORIZONTAL,
+            variable=self.blue_scale,
+            command=lambda x: self.scale_callback(self.blue_scale, self.blue),
+        )
+        scale.grid(row=0, column=2, sticky="nsew")
+        self.blue_label = ttk.Label(
+            frame, background="#%02x%02x%02x" % (0, 0, self.blue.get()), width=5
+        )
+        self.blue_label.grid(row=0, column=3, sticky="nsew")
+        frame.grid(row=2, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+
+        # hex code and color display
+        frame = ttk.Frame(self.top)
+        frame.columnconfigure(0, weight=1)
+        label = ttk.Label(frame, text="Selection: ")
+        label.grid(row=0, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+        self.hex_entry = ttk.Entry(
+            frame,
+            textvariable=self.hex,
+            validate="key",
+            validatecommand=(self.app.validation.hex, "%P"),
+        )
+        self.hex_entry.grid(row=1, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+        self.display = tk.Frame(frame, background=self.color, width=100, height=100)
+        self.display.grid(row=2, column=0)
+        frame.grid(row=3, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+
+        # button frame
+        frame = ttk.Frame(self.top)
+        frame.columnconfigure(0, weight=1)
+        frame.columnconfigure(1, weight=1)
+        button = ttk.Button(frame, text="OK", command=self.button_ok)
+        button.grid(row=0, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+        button = ttk.Button(frame, text="Cancel", command=self.destroy)
+        button.grid(row=0, column=1, sticky="nsew")
+        frame.grid(row=4, column=0, sticky="nsew")
+
+    def set_bindings(self):
+        self.red_entry.bind("<FocusIn>", lambda x: self.current_focus("rgb"))
+        self.green_entry.bind("<FocusIn>", lambda x: self.current_focus("rgb"))
+        self.blue_entry.bind("<FocusIn>", lambda x: self.current_focus("rgb"))
+        self.hex_entry.bind("<FocusIn>", lambda x: self.current_focus("hex"))
+        self.red.trace_add("write", self.update_color)
+        self.green.trace_add("write", self.update_color)
+        self.blue.trace_add("write", self.update_color)
+        self.hex.trace_add("write", self.update_color)
+
+    def button_ok(self):
+        logging.debug("not implemented")
+        self.color = self.hex.get()
+        self.destroy()
+
+    def get_hex(self):
+        """
+        convert current RGB values into hex color
+
+        :rtype: str
+        :return: hex color
+        """
+        red = self.red_entry.get()
+        blue = self.blue_entry.get()
+        green = self.green_entry.get()
+        return "#%02x%02x%02x" % (int(red), int(green), int(blue))
+
+    def current_focus(self, focus):
+        self.focus = focus
+
+    def update_color(self, arg1=None, arg2=None, arg3=None):
+        if self.focus == "rgb":
+            red = self.red_entry.get()
+            blue = self.blue_entry.get()
+            green = self.green_entry.get()
+            self.set_scale(red, green, blue)
+            if red and blue and green:
+                hex_code = "#%02x%02x%02x" % (int(red), int(green), int(blue))
+                self.hex.set(hex_code)
+                self.display.config(background=hex_code)
+                self.set_label(red, green, blue)
+        elif self.focus == "hex":
+            hex_code = self.hex.get()
+            if len(hex_code) == 4 or len(hex_code) == 7:
+                red, green, blue = self.get_rgb(hex_code)
+            else:
+                return
+            self.set_entry(red, green, blue)
+            self.set_scale(red, green, blue)
+            self.display.config(background=hex_code)
+            self.set_label(red, green, blue)
+
+    def scale_callback(self, var, color_var):
+        color_var.set(var.get())
+        self.focus = "rgb"
+        self.update_color()
+
+    def set_scale(self, red, green, blue):
+        self.red_scale.set(red)
+        self.green_scale.set(green)
+        self.blue_scale.set(blue)
+
+    def set_entry(self, red, green, blue):
+        self.red.set(red)
+        self.green.set(green)
+        self.blue.set(blue)
+
+    def set_label(self, red, green, blue):
+        self.red_label.configure(background="#%02x%02x%02x" % (int(red), 0, 0))
+        self.green_label.configure(background="#%02x%02x%02x" % (0, int(green), 0))
+        self.blue_label.configure(background="#%02x%02x%02x" % (0, 0, int(blue)))
+
+    def get_rgb(self, hex_code):
+        """
+        convert a valid hex code to RGB values
+
+        :param string hex_code: color in hex
+        :rtype: tuple(int, int, int)
+        :return: the RGB values
+        """
+        if len(hex_code) == 4:
+            red = hex_code[1]
+            green = hex_code[2]
+            blue = hex_code[3]
+        else:
+            red = hex_code[1:3]
+            green = hex_code[3:5]
+            blue = hex_code[5:]
+        return int(red, 16), int(green, 16), int(blue, 16)
diff --git a/coretk/coretk/dialogs/shapemod.py b/coretk/coretk/dialogs/shapemod.py
index a6da0e3b..62fed9f9 100644
--- a/coretk/coretk/dialogs/shapemod.py
+++ b/coretk/coretk/dialogs/shapemod.py
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@
 shape input dialog
 """
 import tkinter as tk
-from tkinter import colorchooser, font, ttk
+from tkinter import font, ttk
 
+from coretk.dialogs.colorpicker import ColorPicker
 from coretk.dialogs.dialog import Dialog
 from coretk.graph import tags
 from coretk.graph.shapeutils import is_draw_shape, is_shape_text
@@ -134,18 +135,21 @@ class ShapeDialog(Dialog):
         button.grid(row=0, column=1, sticky="ew")
 
     def choose_text_color(self):
-        color = colorchooser.askcolor(color="black")
-        self.text_color = color[1]
+        color_picker = ColorPicker(self, self.app, "#000000")
+        color = color_picker.askcolor()
+        self.text_color = color
 
     def choose_fill_color(self):
-        color = colorchooser.askcolor(color=self.fill_color)
-        self.fill_color = color[1]
-        self.fill.config(background=color[1], text=color[1])
+        color_picker = ColorPicker(self, self.app, self.fill_color)
+        color = color_picker.askcolor()
+        self.fill_color = color
+        self.fill.config(background=color, text=color)
 
     def choose_border_color(self):
-        color = colorchooser.askcolor(color=self.border_color)
-        self.border_color = color[1]
-        self.border.config(background=color[1], text=color[1])
+        color_picker = ColorPicker(self, self.app, self.border_color)
+        color = color_picker.askcolor()
+        self.border_color = color
+        self.border.config(background=color, text=color)
 
     def cancel(self):
         self.shape.delete()
diff --git a/coretk/coretk/graph/graph.py b/coretk/coretk/graph/graph.py
index acce0e28..77cc2264 100644
--- a/coretk/coretk/graph/graph.py
+++ b/coretk/coretk/graph/graph.py
@@ -471,6 +471,8 @@ class CanvasGraph(tk.Canvas):
         )
         logging.info("ratio: %s", self.ratio)
         logging.info("offset: %s", self.offset)
+        self.app.statusbar.zoom.config(text="%s" % (int(self.ratio * 100)) + "%")
+
         if self.wallpaper:
             self.redraw_wallpaper()
 
diff --git a/coretk/coretk/statusbar.py b/coretk/coretk/statusbar.py
index 0528bbf2..5ed6f09d 100644
--- a/coretk/coretk/statusbar.py
+++ b/coretk/coretk/statusbar.py
@@ -46,7 +46,11 @@ class StatusBar(ttk.Frame):
         self.status.grid(row=0, column=1, sticky="ew")
 
         self.zoom = ttk.Label(
-            self, text="ZOOM TBD", anchor=tk.CENTER, borderwidth=1, relief=tk.RIDGE
+            self,
+            text="%s" % (int(self.app.canvas.ratio * 100)) + "%",
+            anchor=tk.CENTER,
+            borderwidth=1,
+            relief=tk.RIDGE,
         )
         self.zoom.grid(row=0, column=2, sticky="ew")
 
diff --git a/coretk/coretk/validation.py b/coretk/coretk/validation.py
index c7923229..955a7faf 100644
--- a/coretk/coretk/validation.py
+++ b/coretk/coretk/validation.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ class InputValidation:
         self.positive_float = None
         self.name = None
         self.ip4 = None
+        self.rgb = None
+        self.hex = None
         self.register()
 
     def register(self):
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@ class InputValidation:
         self.positive_float = self.master.register(self.check_positive_float)
         self.name = self.master.register(self.check_node_name)
         self.ip4 = self.master.register(self.check_ip4)
+        self.rgb = self.master.register(self.check_rbg)
+        self.hex = self.master.register(self.check_hex)
 
     def ip_focus_out(self, event):
         value = event.widget.get()
@@ -100,7 +104,7 @@ class InputValidation:
                 return False
             for _8bits in _32bits:
                 if (
-                    (_8bits and int(_8bits) > 225)
+                    (_8bits and int(_8bits) > 255)
                     or len(_8bits) > 3
                     or (_8bits.startswith("0") and len(_8bits) > 1)
                 ):
@@ -108,3 +112,29 @@ class InputValidation:
             return True
         else:
             return False
+
+    def check_rbg(self, s):
+        if not s:
+            return True
+        if s.startswith("0") and len(s) >= 2:
+            return False
+        try:
+            value = int(s)
+            if 0 <= value <= 255:
+                return True
+            else:
+                return False
+        except ValueError:
+            return False
+
+    def check_hex(self, s):
+        if not s:
+            return True
+        pat = re.compile("^([#]([0-9]|[a-f])+)$|^[#]$")
+        if pat.match(s):
+            if 0 <= len(s) <= 7:
+                return True
+            else:
+                return False
+        else:
+            return False