How can I change the color/material of a family from my model?

[svalen]

Do  I need to go into the the family file itself?

For example, I'm trying to change the stock Revit newal post material to wood.

Do I need to add a material parameter?  How can I do this?

Also, a similar topic, how can I assign a family to a new sub-caetgeory that I have created in my model?

Thank you!

[barthbradley]

Select the geometry in the Family, look under its Properties for "Material" and associate that Parameter to a Parameter in you Family Types Dialog Box. Then reload, select Instance of Family, and assign a Project Material to the Family Material Parameter

[barthbradley]

You create and assign Subcategories in the Family itself. 

You can also change the Category of a Family (for the most part) like this: