Transparency issues with lightwave and Torque.
by AllynMcelrath · in Artist Corner · 08/11/2005 (6:14 pm) · 21 replies
Any way, i have been converting over some models lately with no issues using lightwave and the lightwave plug in.
But, The model im working with now is having really bad issues with transparency, after checking with many threads, i have gotten it fixed, but one issue still remains, Transparencys are transparent to other transparencys and bleed threw.
Now im not making glass or anything like that, I have a model that uses transparent areas to define the "leaf" of the model. Im using .png (yes super png ETC...).
Now, while i have gotten the area i need to be transparent on the texture, the problem seems to be render order, and im not sure if it me, or a limitation of the engine its self.
Ignore the White areas, i have since cleaned up the texture, and thats not what im talking about.
As you can see, parts seem to still show threw, while the texture is not, and should not be transparent, just the areas that are alpha.
I later read a post about separating the models surfaces up so that throes with an alpha area are separated from the areas that dont, i did that, and it took care of the stem, but now the leaves can "See threw" each other.
I wondered what i was doing wrong, My settings were correct in light wave.
But it still didnt change, yes the polys are double sided, and that setting is activated in the exporter.Yes i have the PNG in the alpha slot of the models "Leaf" surface,and its set to 1.0% Transparency, and its separated from the "Stem" area.
So, i went looking...and it appears that the defuilt trees also suffer from this.
You cant truly see it in this shot, but its there if you move, the render order is incorrect and Transparency bleeds threw Transparency.
Im stumped.
But, The model im working with now is having really bad issues with transparency, after checking with many threads, i have gotten it fixed, but one issue still remains, Transparencys are transparent to other transparencys and bleed threw.
Now im not making glass or anything like that, I have a model that uses transparent areas to define the "leaf" of the model. Im using .png (yes super png ETC...).
Now, while i have gotten the area i need to be transparent on the texture, the problem seems to be render order, and im not sure if it me, or a limitation of the engine its self.
Ignore the White areas, i have since cleaned up the texture, and thats not what im talking about.
As you can see, parts seem to still show threw, while the texture is not, and should not be transparent, just the areas that are alpha.
I later read a post about separating the models surfaces up so that throes with an alpha area are separated from the areas that dont, i did that, and it took care of the stem, but now the leaves can "See threw" each other.
I wondered what i was doing wrong, My settings were correct in light wave.
But it still didnt change, yes the polys are double sided, and that setting is activated in the exporter.Yes i have the PNG in the alpha slot of the models "Leaf" surface,and its set to 1.0% Transparency, and its separated from the "Stem" area.
So, i went looking...and it appears that the defuilt trees also suffer from this.
You cant truly see it in this shot, but its there if you move, the render order is incorrect and Transparency bleeds threw Transparency.
Im stumped.
#2
08/12/2005 (6:47 am)
Theres alot of strange happenings with the lightwave exporter when it comes to exporting transparenting things, as it doesnt support the SORT:: function like the max exporter, so polygons sometimes dont get rendered in the right order... I think.
#4
08/12/2005 (1:05 pm)
Export to obj then reorder the model in MilkShape. A pain perhaps, but it'll get it done.
#5
I cant be the only one that has had this issue, some one must know a fix with out muding the file with milkshape.
08/12/2005 (2:20 pm)
What if i seprated each part that is to be transparent to its own serface, making 3 total?I cant be the only one that has had this issue, some one must know a fix with out muding the file with milkshape.
#6
08/12/2005 (3:12 pm)
Pester Gnomeworkshop to add the sort feature!I emailed them a few times but got no reply. Or if you can i think you can get your hands on the source code and fix it
#7
08/14/2005 (11:50 am)
Im still not having any luck with this. 
#8
08/14/2005 (1:01 pm)
Problem is as far as I know Gnomtech is just one guy. Plus he is very busy supporting Torque Show tool Pro and working on Constructor plus his regular job. Lightwave Dave can only do so much,
#9
Nothing seems to be working with transparencies.
Its seems to be directional.
The left side, and the problem side.
Ill try this .OBJ to DTS, but, is that a satand alone, or...what? I realy hate using 9 apps to get somthing done *sigh*
Mabye i can temp "likewave dave" with some candy or hott chicks....
08/14/2005 (2:32 pm)
*sad panda*Nothing seems to be working with transparencies.
Its seems to be directional.The left side, and the problem side.
Ill try this .OBJ to DTS, but, is that a satand alone, or...what? I realy hate using 9 apps to get somthing done *sigh*
Mabye i can temp "likewave dave" with some candy or hott chicks....
#10
08/14/2005 (3:44 pm)
Umm.. I got notified of a reply, but i dont see the post.... I use mozilla if that means anything.
#11
Do the torque creators have anything to add to this?
08/15/2005 (12:05 pm)
That dosnt realy work for what im doing.Do the torque creators have anything to add to this?
#12
Im pulling my hair out over this.... Some one MUST have the answer....
Also, it seems that the 3ds Exporter is the only one that supports Animations, and correct transparencies....
conspiracy ? (j/k)
But, this has realy halted all production. I did try the milkshape one, but the metrial opens in that app are....lacking. Nothing transferd over correctly.
08/16/2005 (6:53 pm)
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIm pulling my hair out over this.... Some one MUST have the answer....
Also, it seems that the 3ds Exporter is the only one that supports Animations, and correct transparencies....
conspiracy ? (j/k)
But, this has realy halted all production. I did try the milkshape one, but the metrial opens in that app are....lacking. Nothing transferd over correctly.
#13
I knoe lightwave does animations, but Transparencies are *beeped*.
The obj2dts supposrts Tranpariencies, but not animations, The milkshape one...well, its milkshape.
anyway, im not sure what i can do about this issue, its halted all production, and im once again back where i started, using an engine with incompleate tools..
*sigh* The main reasion we bought torque was becouse of the semmingley compleate tool system and support. Great engine, bad tool support...
@Teri
So still the only way around it you have found is to fully model everything?
08/17/2005 (9:52 am)
I ment Supporting boath at once, correctly.I knoe lightwave does animations, but Transparencies are *beeped*.
The obj2dts supposrts Tranpariencies, but not animations, The milkshape one...well, its milkshape.
anyway, im not sure what i can do about this issue, its halted all production, and im once again back where i started, using an engine with incompleate tools..
*sigh* The main reasion we bought torque was becouse of the semmingley compleate tool system and support. Great engine, bad tool support...
@Teri
So still the only way around it you have found is to fully model everything?
#14
The art pipeline in some ways is a bit rigid, but all in all its allot more flexible than some of them.
08/17/2005 (10:25 am)
Blender does animation and transparencies with SORT, and its free. Works great for me.The art pipeline in some ways is a bit rigid, but all in all its allot more flexible than some of them.
#15
A bummer really, doesn't seem to be anything that can really be done about it. I gave up.
08/17/2005 (12:49 pm)
This isn't really a software specific problem. I haven't been able to get working transparencies on animated models out of max either.A bummer really, doesn't seem to be anything that can really be done about it. I gave up.
#16
How do you do it? Do you just avoid Transparencies alltogether? Do you have some super secreat tool set?
08/17/2005 (5:35 pm)
So, then i have a question for the TORQUE creators...How do you do it? Do you just avoid Transparencies alltogether? Do you have some super secreat tool set?
#17
08/18/2005 (12:33 am)
Use 3DS Max!
#18
Sure, let me just shell out the 4g's and learn a new pice of software.
Not an option, i love lightwave and know it rather well, and as some one stated above, dosnt seem like Max does any better.
Not trying to be a sour puss, but this is frustrating, we spent 100$ on an engine that cant seem to get transparencieys right ...
*sad panda*
Im still holding out faith that some one knows how to fix this with out using 9 apps and muding the file.
Or the expoters or engine gets fixed, I would still love a Devlopers comment on this issue. I myself am not the licance holder, but i am the team lead and my programer bought the engine on our behalf.
08/18/2005 (8:13 am)
O.oSure, let me just shell out the 4g's and learn a new pice of software.
Not an option, i love lightwave and know it rather well, and as some one stated above, dosnt seem like Max does any better.
Not trying to be a sour puss, but this is frustrating, we spent 100$ on an engine that cant seem to get transparencieys right ...
*sad panda*
Im still holding out faith that some one knows how to fix this with out using 9 apps and muding the file.
Or the expoters or engine gets fixed, I would still love a Devlopers comment on this issue. I myself am not the licance holder, but i am the team lead and my programer bought the engine on our behalf.
#19
08/18/2005 (8:20 am)
Well you have the torque engine source and the lightwave exporter source, get one of the programmers to fix it
#20
08/18/2005 (8:28 am)
We are not that skilled, and i have one (1) programer, this is his first time working with a game engine, so that also is not really an option. we are indies after all. 
Torque 3D Owner Michael Cozzolino
Big Monk Games