What is the difference between Masonry and CMU material type?

[CollinJoseph0258]

I am working a plugin to export Revit models to glTF. Naturally this involves also converting the model materials to glTF supported formats.

I am struggling to understand what the difference between "Masonry" and "CMU" material "types" that are available in Revit's material editor (under rendering appearance). I do not notice any visual difference between these options when rendering. I am similarly confused by ceramic "type" and water "type" that can also be selected in the editor.

What effect does this material property have?

(see screenshot below for additional context)

[ToanDN]

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@CollinJoseph0258 wrote:

I am working a plugin to export Revit models to glTF. Naturally this involves also converting the model materials to glTF supported formats.

I am struggling to understand what the difference between "Masonry" and "CMU" material types. Specifically in the context of rendering appearance. I do not notice any visual difference between these options when rendering.

What effect does this material property have?

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SO that you can apply Sort by Type when viewing the Asset Browser.

[barthbradley]

I don't see any CMU Type?  I see Masonry Type.  

Type has to do with the shader algorithm used that tells the program how to calculate surface rendering.   

...Ah! I see what you're talking about now.

Masonry/CMU Properties | Revit | Autodesk Knowledge Network

[CollinJoseph0258]

Thanks for your reply. I'm not asking about the "Type" category in the asset browser, that is based on the material schema. I am asking about the property that can be modified using the material editor.

I've edited my original post and added updated the screenshot for more clarity.

[CollinJoseph0258]

Thanks for your reply. Yes! that's what I am asking about.
I see you mentioned the shader algorithms, what is the visual difference that I should expect to see between them? I haven't noticed any difference in my experiments.

[barthbradley]

Shading involves all of the calculations that compute the color reflected back along the initial ray towards the viewer. 

But, that kind of information is easily researchable. Keep in mind, Revit is a BIM Software, not a Rendering Software. So, getting those kinds of specific questions answered here is going to be difficult.  Wrong audience, if you know what I mean.  Professionally, for me, Rendering is not in my wheelhouse. 

[CollinJoseph0258]

Understandable.
Any idea which forum / site would be a good place to find answers?

[barthbradley]

Enscape, Lumion...just Google the information you seek and follow the hits. They will likely lead you to a forum of horned-rimmed, nerdy experts who eat, drink and breathe this kind of stuff. 

[ToanDN]

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@CollinJoseph0258 wrote:
Understandable.
Any idea which forum / site would be a good place to find answers?

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Try 3DMax forum since they share the same material appearance asset library with Revit.

[CollinJoseph0258]

I think this is an Autodesk specific question, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

[CollinJoseph0258]

Thanks for your suggestion, I'll try that!

[barthbradley]

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@CollinJoseph0258 wrote:
I think this is an Autodesk specific question, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

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No, it isn't.  

[barthbradley]

If anything, it's really more a glTF question.  

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@CollinJoseph0258 wrote:

I am working a plugin to export Revit models to glTF. Naturally this involves also converting the model materials to glTF supported formats.