Can't Apply materials to Linked Files

[Anonymous]

I have a model that is central in the office. We have linked in models from the consultants that include the structural model and the ductwork model. I am trying to apply the material color options into the host model that is central for perspective renderings. The linked models will not accept the materials. I close the file and open the linked models separately and still cannot paint any surfaces in the model to reflect in the host. I can click on individual parts but when the paint command is selected it does not hover over the same surface. When the rendered view is selected everything still appears gray. How can i apply materials to parts of the linked in files? 

[cbcarch]

Set the Phase Filter in the 3D View to Show Complete.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response, Is that in the host model? Here is a picture of the current Phase filter dialog?  I adjusted it to show complete from the 3D view dialog box but it still does not let me change the materials. 

[barthbradley]

Links use Link Materials. 

[Anonymous]

Even when i open the linked model to edit the materials from within the link itself, it does not let me paint the material to any surfaces on the whole model. Selecting the material from the browser works but it does not let me hover over any surfaces to be painted. They all appear gray and do not look like they have any materials already applied when viewed as "rendered". It's like it is defaulting as gray. 

[barthbradley]

Gray? I'm with @cbcarch's assessment then. But, the fact you can't select them is strange. Are you not able to use the Tab key to cycle through the overlapping elements? 

[Anonymous]

Nope.. if i am just clicking around in the model normally it is fine, i can click on all the objects present. As soon as I click an object and then click paint it brings up the materials browser and I select a material but then trying to click on anything in the model is unclickable. It doesn't even register that there is anything there at all. Hovering over the model elements only displays the "click a face to apply paint" message as opposed to what the element is or what material is already applied..

[Anonymous]

Is there a solution to this yet? I can't seem to find an answer anywhere. Same issue - can't change elements in a structural link to different colours for an Enscape rendering. I want all steel columns to show black not default red as defined in the link. Have tried painting, filters, copy and paste-in-place to override graphics, nothing works. This is a basic need - why is this so painfully difficult?