Imported 3ds objects default to mirror finish

[Anonymous]

Is there a work around for a problem I'm finding using imported/converted 3ds models in Lightworks? The Object's materials all seem to default to a mirror finish. I have several objects and would prefer not to tweak every material setting.

[Dwight]

Mine all come in as "general"

Since I always tweak the symbol, i never think of reassigning a material
as being a problem.

What are they surfaced with when you export?

Does "Use Objects Materials" in the Object dialog help restore the imported element?

[Anonymous]

The Objects materials render with the mirror finish. Only with LW. I can change the individual material parameters to ArchiCAD materials, but each object can have up to a dozen parameters.

With the internal render engine they are matte. If I open them in other programs (like form Z) they are matte also.

[Dwight]

It is not the devil making Archicad do that.

What material does Archicad think it is?

The 3Ds in DOES NOT alter the Lightworks material, so whatever is being called is shiny.

Open that material and change its values in LightWorks.

You need only do this once.

How did you manage to get so many shiny materials in Archicad?

[Anonymous]

Most of the shiny objects come from formfonts.com.

Here is what I don't understand. When I import a 3ds model it has its native materials. These materials are not added to the general library. Where are they?

I have the option of overriding the native materials and substituting one from the materials library.

[Anonymous]

as far as i have noticed so far, the native materials that are attached to the object b4 the import don't convert into ArchiCad at all.
it creates the 'specular diffuse and ambient' values that the material requires, and associates to [General] (well for me any way)

Generally after converting a 3ds object into ArchiCad, i would place the object in the work space then 'Ctrl + Shift + O' to open the object.

Then redefine the 'labels' for materials and change the defaults to some thing that i would generally use. This helps tidy the object parameters up a lot.
PLUS a 3D preview saves a lot of time if you can paste an image into that slot when browsing your library.

If by chance you do happen to find out how to use the native materials without going through a 'create new' process i would love to know.