Why isn't this material uploading?

[akashi1]

So its a standard VISMAT downloaded from ChaosGroup.com

[Peter.Chaushev]

Any material file (.vrmat / .vismat) created using V-Ray 2.0 or later should load fine.
Could you please tell the exact location of the file you have downloaded?

Kind regards,
Peter

[akashi1]

Just my download folder. I even tried pasting it directly into the VRAY default materials folder and it just turns out black in the material editor.

[Peter.Chaushev]

It appears the file you are attempting to load is a legacy type of V-Ray material, created using a version of V-Ray older than 2.0.
It is not recommended to use such materials! They may contain deprecated parameters and are not guaranteed to function properly.

If you wish to use them regardless, you can load them on your own accord by making the following adjustment to your V-Ray for Rhino installation:

1. Download the following archive: vrmatconvertdll.zip
2. Make sure Rhino is not currently running on your machine
3. Extract the file within named vrmatconvertdll.dll
4. Place vrmatconvertdll.dll in the following directory:
If you use Rhino 6: C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\V-Ray for Rhinoceros\V6
If you use Rhino 5: C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\V-Ray for Rhinoceros\V5

This should make it possible to load legacy materials such as the one you currently possess. Once again, we do not recommend using them in your projects.
Please advise where you found

its a standard VISMAT downloaded from ChaosGroup.com

Please state what is the Chaos Group web page where you found and downloaded the vismat file and my colleagues will make sure to update it.

Kind regards,
Peter