Transparent Textures and 7.1.1.3

[Peteh2007]

Hi
I have just updated to version 7.1.1.3 How do I texture a cab so that I can see through the window and then the opposite side of the cab I worked fine on the old version of Canvas but with 7.1.1.3 and the new Tx Alpha and Alpha Pr, I can see what I want in Canvas but after it is converted in shape viewer I just see through to nothing.

How do I fix this?

Pete

[dkightley]

Hi Pete

Have you tried seeing what the model is like in the sim...not sure if you're building for MSTS or RS.

I've had fun with my Glasgow tram....where its possible to look through three panes of glass! I had a similar thing to what you've described with a previous version of 3DC....spot on in Canvs, and Shapeviewer has missing inside textures...but MSTS is fine!

The trick I found with translucent textures is to apply the textures to the model on the inside first, then on the outside. I've no idea why this works.....but if it works, who cares!!

[Peteh2007]

I'm building for MSTS Doug in RE or The game it looks the same as in shape viewer?

Pete

[jefran]

I'm having the same problem, or a very similar one. I have just exported a model to MSTS using some textures I have used on a great many models before in older versions of 3DC: the model looks fine in 3DC, but in shape viewer, in MSTS route editor and the sim proper, the transparent bits or thoroughly opaque, whereas on earlier models all is as it should be. I have a felling that I have overlooked a setting in 3DC as I did with my lighter textures problem, but I can't work out what. Has anyone got any bright ideas?

[franksandwell]

Hi,

I had that problem and overcame it by running the Train Sim Wizard from the plugins, prior to exporting
It doesn't always display the texture message box regarding translucency etc, but it did the trick for me.
I hope that helps, good luck

regards
Frank

[jefran]

Thanks for the suggestion, I am a bit closer! I ran the train sim wizard and it complained that a BMP texture was used with a translucency map. "This format does not support translucency" I looked in the help which said, "Translucency layers can be used with 3D Canvas Plus/Pro by using Targa (tga) files as textures.", so I converted ny 2 BMPs to a tga, and reran the wizard. This time it didn't complain, but the transparent bits are still thoroughly opaque, both in shape file viewer and MSTS
,

[dkightley]

think I might have worked out where you're going wrong.......cross fingers!

In the wizard, uncheck the box on the final page that controls the exporting of the textures. Then use TGATools to convert the .tga texture file to an .ace file.

3DC doesn't export textures with an alpha channel.





There again....I might be miles off.

[franksandwell]

Just an update on my previous post and after reading Doug's post, I should have mentioned that the wizard is just opened at the first window, then closed immediately.
I also use use TGA Tools to convert tga files.
Hope I have made my first answer clearer.

Frank

[jefran]

Thanks again for the ideas - but this problem is very persistent. I am considering going back to 6. something as that did everything I needed and I cannot get anywhere with all the blueprint concepts in KRS, but will 6.xxx load models created in 7.1?

[wmalder]

It seems that Richard has modified the way that transparency/translucency is handled for 7.1.1.3 [?] and later. There is now the opportunity to define these attributes in the properties window for each object. This is discussed on the Amabilis website but it also seems that this issue is in ongoing development.

[jefran]

Thanks - I think I'll see what there is in 7.2 before doing anything drastic

[Peteh2007]

When creating textures for use in MSTS I only use the TGA tools and not canvas to create the textures.
If it was TSM it would be possible to change the material type of the individual polygons that I want to be solid.
I need this sorting as I'm working to a deadline?

Pete

[jefran]

I have finally got the transparency problem sorted out! The posts on the Amabilis site pointed me in the right direction, and I can now export to MSTS using the file, export ... route. There must be a very good reason for the change, but it does seem to bring out the Luddite in me.

[Peteh2007]

Jefran can you please tell us what we need to do then?

Pete