I downlaoded some shaders from the web and all I can see is black. I'm doing rather nicely with the new material option
Here's a novice first work, following a number of tuts.
What to do in order to be able to see the shader (gold, chrome, etc)?
Tnx

cant really reply without seeing the file, or even better you post the C4D file and i'll take a look at the shader myself,

but as a general rule: those shaders you mention HAVE black color (r at least a dark brown)applied, since usually they take the color from the objects they reflect, so usually they need a environment to start shining. Even gold needs a lot of light to start reflection his shiny color.

Off course lighning, is equal important.

For 1 use a sky element in you scene and a light setup.

Here is an example shader:

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

Hope this helped a little.

maybe you could show the result and tell me if it worked? ...