Apply material to multiple families

[FAZIOGREG]

This could apply to a variety of family types and applications, but for the sake of conversation, I'll be talking about a curtain wall type.  I've got a curtain wall with two types of Mullions, "Interior Type" and "Border Type".  Then, I have a curtain panel family that includes a glass stop.  That glass stop will want to be the same material as the two Mullion types.

I have created a global parameter, "Frame Finish", and I can control the glass stop material in the Curtain Panel family with it by linking it to the type parameter of the panel.  The problem arises when I try to apply that Global Parameter to the Mullion Type.  If I "Edit Type" of a mullion, the "Associate Global Parameter Button" is not available.  I guess it is because it is more of a system family or something.  Is it possible to create a Global Parameter that will show up in the material browser?  For instance, in the family editor, I can create a Parameter and then paint it onto geometry.

Remember, there are no bad ideas in brainstorming, but I do want the solution to still be a curtain wall instead of some other type of family.

[ToanDN]

Why not create different Curtain Mullion types for different materials? Global parameters have limited applications and association to a type parameter of a system family is not one of them.

[FAZIOGREG]

The only issue with that is if I need to change them all at once.  It does make it a bit faster than changing the type of each mullion, but I'm hoping there is something cleaner.

I'm afraid there isn't a god way to do what I want though...

[chrisplyler · Accepted solution]

Make all your mullion families out of a new material that you call "my mullion material" or something. Then, if you want to change every mullion in your whole project at once, you just modify that material.

[FAZIOGREG]

I liked that idea because in the material editor, you could replace the asset with the material you want.  That way, you could have all of a company's standard finishes in the project without having to look them up later.

Thanks

[chrisplyler]

I'm glad you liked my idea.

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[FAZIOGREG]

Keep your pants on... I just wanted to see if anyone can truly solve it first.

[chrisplyler]

LOL

It's fine. Pants are still on, I promise. I just found humor in the irony that you didn't give me a solution but your signature points out the benefits of giving solutions.