changing colors and materials on type instances

[ccenergy]

I've created my own planters to put around the grounds of my project.

I've chosen "aggregate", and set the colors (from within family editor) for the material type. When I apply the material, and place into the project, my RPC trees change to the same type and color of concrete. Nice for longevity, and don't have to water them, but not too attractive overall.

I looked at some other postings, and tried to change "materials" setting for each planter and tree instance from within the project, but once again, what I change one to, they all change to.

What'm I doing wrong:?:

Thanks

[Alfredo Medina]

In the family editor, select the solid, and from the properties window, click on a little gray rectangle on the right side of the material parameter to open a dialog box to associate the material of the object to a parameter. Then, create an instance parameter.

[ccenergy]

Thanks Alfredo,

I still seem to be doing something wrong. Did what you suggested; created an instance parameter, and assigned it a new material (green rubber, because I didn't see any "plant" related materials, but that's better than concrete I guess).

I even changed the height and renamed it before saving. Result: I see the new sized tree in the project, but it's still the color of concrete.

Anyway, I've attached the tree (in hopes that you see an obvious mistake). I still need to learn more about the "Materials-Default" property box. Haven't found a good treatise yet on the subject, but will continue looking, I'm sure it's out there.

[ccenergy]

A further observation:
I've noticed that all of the components that I've added (both custom and RPC components) in the past day or so all change to the same material, even though they are loaded from different families. For instance, if I change the material on the RPC tree, it also changes the material of sidewalks (custom created patio slab - modified from "floor" system family), planters, wallhangings, etc. The common theme is that all of these items were either created or modified by me. Also, if I change one of these components under "Manage-Materials", the aforementioned items all change to the same materials - so they are linked in some way I can't see.

[Alfredo Medina]

Thanks Alfredo,

I still seem to be doing something wrong. Did what you suggested; created an instance parameter, and assigned it a new material (green rubber, because I didn't see any "plant" related materials, but that's better than concrete I guess).

....

It seems that you are specifying materials in the family editor. That is not necessary. The idea of creating an instance parameter to a family is that you can select different materials to different instances of the same family in a project.

Make several copies of this family in a project, and then select one by one and assign a new material for each, using the instance material parameter.