In PhotoView 360 2011...If we render 100 images from the exact same rendering file, 20% of them will have stray colors or different material appearances than we have in the file. Red seems to be a popular bug, and we don't even have a red color in our file...it just pops up on the part. Material appearances change as well, specifically for us, we have an aluminum material that will render anywhere from mirror finish to crazy dull, again in the exact same file...I think PV is changing the material similar to how it's adding red. Would love to hear from someone with SW on this.
I've always had appearance problems with Photoworks and now Photoview. I used to ask for help or tips but everyone either says they don't have problems or don't know how to help.
Usually mine revert to the default gray plastic though. I think I have had every appearance error you can think of though. On a part with mulitple configurations I will apply a different appearance to each one then render an assembly that contains each version. They look good in the assembly, but in the rendering 75% revert to default.
Sometimes I set a color and render and it goes back to the old color, for example, part is initially green, I render it, looks good. Then change appearance to red, render it, its green.
One of my favorites is when you have a color applied and go to change it, sometimes the RGB values and color preview in the appearance editor tab are flat out wrong. Sometimes I click white from the color swatches and it selects light red on the opposite side of the pallet. Never happens with other colors though, I consistently select white and get pink.
Also I love it when I apply an appearance and go to edit it and there are no appearances listed in the appearance folder. Click remove all appearances in the editor and nothing happens, I have a chrome looking part with no chrome appearance to edit or remove.
And of course the grand finale: Apply an appearance, rebuild for good luck, save it, render it, close it. Reopen it and at least one appearance is botched, applied to wrong faces, missing, etc. How is that possible? I mean once you save a file, like, how does it change? Is my harddrive eating appearances?
Sorry I can't help you, just letting you know you're not alone.
PS this is an abbreviated list not intended to describe the full scope of appearance issues. For a fun review of all problems, feel free to ask!