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this was very handy when I used older renderers...
I used to have a default library file with shaders that correspond to color names.
So when I have a new project (and most of them have glass windows, aluminum profiles etc.), importing that file to the main scene
resulted automatic connection of the file's contents (shaders) to a set of object names that are always the same
(color 1, color 2, color 3 .... etc.).
That way I don't have to re-apply my typical set-ups of materials that are usually in every scene (like glass, white walls, sidewalk...)
thanx !

This is your personal workfllow though, individual users have different needs I hope.

With workflows there is usually a much quicker way if you get the feeling your doing something repetitive. It depends which plugin.. In c4d I use 'convert mats' and then link the converted mxm to the appropriate mxm in my personal default folder of mxms. So in that way I dont have to click on the model heirarchy at all.

it's a workflow I found in the artlantis app. that uses maxwell as it's better render option (it's a nice app for architects not for viz pros).
When I played with it I've discovered that option (reference file).
So all you do is "load reference file" (1-click...) and your scene gets all the typical materials, sun setup, etc. from your common file...
nothing is faster than that !

Oh, thanks, now I understand. Isn't there a way you can set that up so those references are applied automatically in the modeller, and then link across like I described above. (I dont know how your plugin handles this)

nope.... I made a library with some defaults but I don't know if theres a way for MAYA to "understand" my wish for a ref. file since maxwell is the plugin that needs to read that info...

You can just save a standard file with the materials and settings you want and start your projects from that file. Then "save as" with a different name and go on working.

nope. because I have to reapply materials to objects 1 by 1...

Oh, I get it: it's something like AutoCAD plot styles which associate the color of the object with a plot style/shader.

I find it a bit limited when you deal with many materials. It's easy to remember some pure colors, but when the count goes +20...

But this is something you would need to do with Maya scripting isn't it?

If I knew how to script ...
Anyway I guess that it could be one of the nice buttons on maxwell's shelf in Maya as all my materials are maxwell...
I'm not saying it's NL part but it would be nice addition.