CompuServe Thread

#Transparent?

3 messages in this thread
#187206From: JOAKIM ANUELLAug 25, 1995 6:10 AM
Hi, how do I make an object transparent? For example, if I make a glass object and puts it a little above a table and then lights it with a spot from directly above (with shadows on). The glass object creates a black shadow on the table. WHY? I did put a transparent material an it (glass). Thank You/Joakim
#187215From: Jeffrey LererAug 25, 1995 7:16 AM
Joakim <<glass object creates a black shadow>> You will have to some reading on this, but here's the general point. Your spotlight is creating a bit mapped shadow. If you want the spotlight to "see" the transparency of the object and thus throw a shadow that demonstrates the transparency of your object you have to turn on RAYTRACE in that spotlight. Note that raytraced takes much longer render time. So, when I need a raytraced spot I create one dedicated to the few objects it is designed for, exclude all other objects from it in the scene and attenuate it so it's area is restricted to exactly where I need it. Note however that you will not get true raytracing, colors etc… just the transp. quality. If you have the book 3-D Studio Special Effects there is a great chapter on faking true raytrace. The chapter is by Tim Forcade and very helpful. Anyway, as you mull through all this, go directly to your 3-DS Users Guide and Tutorials. The basic concepts are very important to fully understand. Jeffrey
#187511From: JOAKIM ANUELLAug 27, 1995 1:39 PM
Thanks Jeffrey, I`m digging through Inside 3D-Studio R4. That is interesting reading. Thanks for your advice/Joakim