Can't change materials on some imported models

[DoTheBIM]

I have a family I downloaded and was attempting to customize the materials in it so that it rendered the way I wanted it to. While some of the layers I can change... There are pieces of the model that render as if there was a different layer (aka a different material renders), but there is no corresponding layer in the family to assign such a material. Can materials be preset prior to importing into a family in which they can't be changed via layer settings in object styles? It's the only thing I can think is going on. It can still be changed via the particular material in the Material definitions. but if that material gets delete there is no way to reassign a new material to that part of the geometry that I can see.

[SCShell]

Hey there,
I see this in some of the families posted on RevitCity, where they are CAD blocks and can't be modified.
Other than that, I have nothing to offer.
Best of luck and keep us posted.
Steve

[luigi]

Not sure if I follow completely...BUT...When the 3d family is imported (doesn't matter which software) the RGB value gets associated with the material (look in material editor for a number set ###,###,###, popular one is 255,255,255) those materials are the ones that these imports use....figure out which material is associated with which face...and modify the corresponding material...

I just now read your last line...not sure what happens if it allows you to delete the material...it's possible that it chooses 1 material from the list (i.e. default)

What do you mean when you use the word Layers? (i.e. layer settings in object styles, different layers, corresponding layer in the family)

I have a family I downloaded and was attempting to customize the materials in it so that it rendered the way I wanted it to. While some of the layers I can change... There are pieces of the model that render as if there was a different layer (aka a different material renders), but there is no corresponding layer in the family to assign such a material. Can materials be preset prior to importing into a family in which they can't be changed via layer settings in object styles? It's the only thing I can think is going on. It can still be changed via the particular material in the Material definitions. but if that material gets delete there is no way to reassign a new material to that part of the geometry that I can see.