Creating materials with different class properties (e.g. glass, water etc)

[toneillC6YCH]

So this has always escaped me...

I am currently creating a material library from scratch & generally am starting all new materials using the 'Create New Material' button in the material browser. When I am creating materials like concrete or glass I would like to get the custom Appearance parameters related to those objects (see image for glass material).... is there a way to get these custom class specific properties to show on a newly made material asset? When I create a new material all of the properties are the generic properties.

The only way I can get the custom properties for water (like wave height etc) is by replacing the asset with one from the OOTB revit material library. Is there no way to do this except to replace the asset and revise it?

Thanks

[KrisAribal]

I don't think you can additional parameter on that one.

[barthbradley]

I'm not sure what you are trying to do, but you don't actually create a new asset in Revit. You duplicate an existing asset (with its unique properties) and name the duplicate.   Then you modify the Appearance and Data Field values to suit your needs.  If you want other controls (i.e. Bumps, Cutouts, etc.), then choose an Asset with those controls and duplicate it. 

[ToanDN]

What is wrong with replace the asset of you new material with a OOTB asset closest to what you need then modify it to meet your expectation?  Different assets have different properties that may not be applicable to other assets.  Don't re-invent the wheel.

[toneillC6YCH]

thanks for the replys!

I have no problem just using one of the OOTB assets and renaming it to get the unique parameters, that is actually what I am doing! I was just curious if there is a way to switch the property set of an asset after its already made. We have an issue in our office where people will create materials & edit their assets without realising you can get these specific properties for different asset types. For instance they create a glass asset with the generic properties (which is fine mostly) but then they want to use them in an arch viz program and they want the additional control without having to rebuild the asset. 

I guess it doesnt seem possible! good to know.

[JM_Koester]

Not an answer to your question actually, but if you start creating a material library from the scratch now, I would recommend not to create them with legacy appearance (yellow exclamation mark).

When you create a new material they are setup with a legacy appearance by default, you need to pick an new appearance from the library.