We use materials in our manufacturing that are exceptionally taxing for SolidWorks to render.  More often than not, I am swearing at the screen because something I need to create freezes the program.  To avoid such situations, I will use appearance patterns to mimic the material I need.

As of late, the legacy patterns I have used, which don't exist in the patterns that are available within 2010, have stopped working in new parts.  I have no explanation for this, but it also gives me an opportunity to make some less-than-perfect appearance patterns look more like something I actually use provided I can create the patterns I need.

SolidWorks uses a file extension of .p2m for these files so it does not appear to be as simple as placing a graphic in a folder.  Does anyone know if it is possible to create these files and, if so, how?  Your help is greatly appreciated.