Saving object in AutoCAD as to not lose materials

[Tendenz]

Hi everybody!

I have gotten a large number of DWG 3D objects from our suppliers. When I open these in ArchiCAD I lose the ability to change materials.

I have downloaded the trial version of AutoCAD 2014, but I just realized they quit the option for exporting to 3DS.

How can I export / save the objects the best was, so as to be able to change materials in ArchiCAD later?

Or should I try a different program, rather than AutoCAD?

GRATEFUL for all help!

[Laszlo Nagy]

You can convert a GDL Object to a Morph, modify the surface materials of its faces, then save it back as a GDL Object.

[Anonymous]

If you need to change material once go with Laszlo solution.
If you want to make material a parameter then things became a little more complicated.
Roughly:
start from gdl imported material, create as many material parameters as you need, scan the code overwriting material names with your parameters names and save as gdl object.