Expert: Andre Hickman - 7/6/2004

Question
Howdy,
where should i apply my transparency maps? when i applied it on opacity then the results where crappy!

Answer
Hello...

I don't know what your transparency maps look like, but as far as I know, the only place to apply them is the opacity channel.

Keep in mind that there are a few other things that will effect your transparency maps:

1) Color of the map.  Make sure that your map is greyscale, and that the areas that you want to show are white and the transparent areas are black.  Semi-transparent being some shade of grey.

2) Realize that in your materials, you also need to consider mapping other things such as "specular".  If you have transparent areas, but don't have a specular map, those transparent areas are going to still reflect light (like a piece of clear glass.) to avoid this, simply instance the transparency map in the specular slot (that way white areas reflect, and black areas don't) You can even use the transparency map in luminosity and other slots (you'll have to experiment)

3) Make sure that your map is high enough resolution to get crisp edges, or get the edges in the way that you want them.

Like I eluded to before, I'm not exactly sure what "CRAPPY" means to you, but try some of the suggestions above, and if they don't solve the problems that you are experiencing, then drop me another line, but this time use a little more creative detail in painting me a picture, than "crappy" :) and I'll do my best to walk you through some techniques.

Cheers,

Andre'