def load_colormap(self, name=None):
        """
        Loads a colormap of the supplied name. None means used the internal
        name. (See self.get_name())
        """

        if name == None: name = self.get_name()
        if name == "" or not type(name)==str: return "Error: Bad name."

        # assemble the path to the colormap
        path = _os.path.join(_settings.path_home, "colormaps", name+".cmap")

        # make sure the file exists
        if not _os.path.exists(path):
            print("load_colormap(): Colormap '"+name+"' does not exist. Creating.")
            self.save_colormap(name)
            return

        # open the file and get the lines
        f = open(path, 'r')
        x = f.read()
        f.close()

        try:
            self._colorpoint_list = eval(x)
        except:
            print("Invalid colormap. Overwriting.")
            self.save_colormap()

        # update the image
        self.update_image()

        return self