Transparency in milkshape
by Paul Fassett · in Artist Corner · 02/26/2005 (11:17 pm) · 7 replies
Ok so I followed all the dts exporter instructions for this and I am having a problem getting transparency to work correctly. What happens is, the parts I want to be solid are for some reason slightly seethrough and are illuminated, and this changes with lighting or color of the sun. I have tried the self illuminating material but that doesn't seem to work.
Anyone know the answer to this problem?
Anyone know the answer to this problem?
#2
I have tried adding the alpha to one texture and not the other using both in the material editor, I've tried adding cutom flags like Add, Sub,Illum every possible combination, with no results. What could I be doing wrong??
03/01/2005 (7:23 am)
Ok so I downloaded a newer version of the exporter, and when I exported the model, it stop illuminating like that, but for some reason it won't stop being 50% see through. I remember seeing other posts about his but there was no solution posted.I have tried adding the alpha to one texture and not the other using both in the material editor, I've tried adding cutom flags like Add, Sub,Illum every possible combination, with no results. What could I be doing wrong??
#3
03/04/2005 (6:11 am)
Wow.... So no one has any idea why this is happening?
#4
I would suggest searching the resources for MS2DTSPlus, which allows precision tuning of all the material settings, so you don't have to remember any of the funky names, nor rely on any of the sliders.
03/04/2005 (1:27 pm)
Transparency is a bit tough in MS. One tiny movement of the slider can have drastic effects on the model.I would suggest searching the resources for MS2DTSPlus, which allows precision tuning of all the material settings, so you don't have to remember any of the funky names, nor rely on any of the sliders.
#5
Just tap the emisive slider a hair down. you will get some transparency, but it shouldn't stand out.
Use 2 sided objects where possible. If you try to apply a transparency to a single sided object, one side will be lit up like a christmas tree and the backface will appear darker than normal, at least from my experience.
Avoid duplicating transparency objects in Milkshape (leaves and things for example) For whatever esoteric reason, the exporters seem to prefer original shapes. I can only guess that some code or data used to identify and manipulate duplicate objects in Milkshape isn't being read (or read properly) by the exporters. Of course, it could be user error too :">
You could also try tweeking the various settings on the exporters, and try a couple of exporters to see which works best for the object you are attempting to export . I've had one export a transparency model beautifully and another export the same model all messed up. And vice versa. This may be due to some exporters having more availible settings than others.
you could also try adjusting down the diffuse and ambient levels in the material properties. These would make your objects darker, but on a global level. And that's assuming that the exporters even read that data, it's just something to try, I haven't actually done it ;]
I've used Milkshape quiet extensively and feel am quite proficent with it, but I don't claim to be an expert! You just didn't seem to be getting an overwhelming response so I thought I would add my 2 cents.
It's also possible that the problem has been cleared up since the most recent release of Milkshape and inclusion of the DTS exporter, but I haven't tried any complex transparency exports recently, so I can't say that is the case.
Maybe Mete Ciragan or a DTS guru could detail the technical hows and whys of the issue ;D In the mean time, I hope I've posted something usefull!
Nice ferns btw!
03/29/2005 (4:13 pm)
I have had a heck of a time getting transpencies to export properly from Milkshape as well. What I would suggest from my personal experience with it is...Just tap the emisive slider a hair down. you will get some transparency, but it shouldn't stand out.
Use 2 sided objects where possible. If you try to apply a transparency to a single sided object, one side will be lit up like a christmas tree and the backface will appear darker than normal, at least from my experience.
Avoid duplicating transparency objects in Milkshape (leaves and things for example) For whatever esoteric reason, the exporters seem to prefer original shapes. I can only guess that some code or data used to identify and manipulate duplicate objects in Milkshape isn't being read (or read properly) by the exporters. Of course, it could be user error too :">
You could also try tweeking the various settings on the exporters, and try a couple of exporters to see which works best for the object you are attempting to export . I've had one export a transparency model beautifully and another export the same model all messed up. And vice versa. This may be due to some exporters having more availible settings than others.
you could also try adjusting down the diffuse and ambient levels in the material properties. These would make your objects darker, but on a global level. And that's assuming that the exporters even read that data, it's just something to try, I haven't actually done it ;]
I've used Milkshape quiet extensively and feel am quite proficent with it, but I don't claim to be an expert! You just didn't seem to be getting an overwhelming response so I thought I would add my 2 cents.
It's also possible that the problem has been cleared up since the most recent release of Milkshape and inclusion of the DTS exporter, but I haven't tried any complex transparency exports recently, so I can't say that is the case.
Maybe Mete Ciragan or a DTS guru could detail the technical hows and whys of the issue ;D In the mean time, I hope I've posted something usefull!
Nice ferns btw!
#6
03/29/2005 (5:26 pm)
That's how Milkshape reads alpha channels. The slider has to be nudged down to 75% for the alpha to kick in. I think the new milkshape has made it a little more precise, but I think you still see through the leaves somewhat. 
#7
Thought I'd throw it out here since I had the same question
chumbalum.swissquake.ch/ms3d/tutorials/transparency/
11/26/2007 (1:44 pm)
Chumbalum has a nice little tut regarding this very same thing...Thought I'd throw it out here since I had the same question
chumbalum.swissquake.ch/ms3d/tutorials/transparency/
Torque Owner Paul Fassett
Notice how in this picture the leaves and twigs are lit up and see through. Not like the leaves on the tree model that comes with realm wars, which is solid and has a transpanrency layer.