Revit materials - There can only be one

Revit API
1

Well - this is a new one on me. I’m doing a lot with materials right now because much of our office is using Enscape (not a fan - but different discussion).
…and Revit’s material tools are deficient compared to real rendering software.

Well - tuns out - you can have multiple materials with the same name.
The UI won’t let you create a material with a duplicate name.
…and worese.
The UI only shows you one of duplicate materials. (sigh)

Material dictionary with AppearanceAssetIds:

Glass
[['Glass', '1536029'], ['Glass', '21369160'], ['Glass', '21369160'], ['Glass', '21605177'], ['Glass', '21605178']]

So, all you need is a material with different asset attached. I’m guessing this is from importing families that have defined material with a different asset attached(?) But could be 3rd party rendering software doing this as well(?)

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1 Like
2

I got down this rabbit hole as well. Funny because they include a IsNameUnique static method rather than throwing an exception if the names not unique like setting a sheet number does.

3

I’m sure this was implemented to offer flexibility for 3d party rendering systems.
Autodesk’s own 3ds Max allows for multiple materials with the same name in a scene.

But Revit should really show us the duplicates in the UI if it is allowed.