Yes you can-- the original material libraries are not altered in any way. We have heard some vague reports of problems when both ar4 and nxt are running in the same AutoCAD session. Nothing firm yet, but you might want to avoid this scenario if possible.
Well installed NXT and converted materials. Now going back to AR4 the materials show correctly in preview/selection box but lose any image (decal), information when rendering. Any ideas on how to de-convert the materials back to AR4? Thanks.
The ar4 materials have not been touched during the conversion. They've been treated as "read-only" so no data has been lost. Same goes for ar4 search paths. The most likely explanation is that you're attempting to run both apps at the same time. Make sure all sessions of nXt are shut down-- run a new AutoCAD session w/ ar4 loaded and you should be OK. Let me know.
No, same thing. Materials all show ok in 'Assign material' box, but (decal assigned ones), are 'black' in the material list and render as black in colour. Checked the last update on the mlibs, which was yesterday. Only installed Nxt today, so as you say, they haven't been altered.
Have found out what the problem was. During the material conversion process it seems the image (jpg) files were deleted. Lucky I had a recent back-up of them. All seems to work now.
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The chrome now looks a lot better.
I do feel though that the reflected light on the back wall is too bright."
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It appears the light is being reflected, but not objects or textures.
In the nXt version (top image), the carpet texture is being reflected in the…"
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Here's the image after 10 minutes of rendering.
I do have a slight concern that reflective surfaces seem rather dull.
This is particularly evident on the end frame of the desk and the base of the chair."