FSX and Alpha Channels

[falcon409]

In the past, I always assumed that in order to have something transparent you simply made it solid black 0,0,0.

With FSX that seems to be different, because I have some scenery objects that while the area around them is solid black, in the sim they display this way: (I shot a screen of the problem and it didn't reproduce as I expected)

Basically, when I import these objects in question they appear fine, but if you move around them you see that there is what appears to be a mirror surrounding the image so that it reflects (in a way) the surroundings but isn't transparent. If you place another object behind it, that object is obscured.

Now is that because FSX processes solid black differently or is in the way the alpha channel is done. . .or is there another reason? I'd like to figure this out as there are quite a few scenery objects I'd like to use but can't because of this anomaly.

[MCDesigns]

In FSX, you have many more options for the textures on an object than you did with FS9 and one of those is enabling the texture to have transparent properties, which is why you get that effect or solid black with FS9 objects that use alphas for transparent parts.

[falcon409]

In FSX, you have many more options for the textures on an object than you did with FS9 and one of those is enabling the texture to have transparent properties, which is why you get that effect or solid black with FS9 objects that use alphas for transparent parts.
So is there any way to correct that or is that coded into the bgl file when compiled?

[Daube]

I think there is no way to correct a "mirror" surface.
I have the problem with some planes, especially with night textures in the VC. I think it's linked not only to the texture, but also to the material properties in the 3D model.

[MCDesigns]

Not that I am aware of falcon, the info is coded into the MDL

[falcon409]

Not that I am aware of falcon, the info is coded into the MDL
Yep, kinda figured that. Any suggestions for a good grass texture that would work in FSX?

[Tako_Kichi]

Any suggestions for a good grass texture that would work in FSX?
I have been using the free one from REX for quite a while now and like it (IIRC I am using the v.II type).

I also use their road and highway textures (but opted for the ones without vehicles as low down they look awful!).

They can be found here....

http://realenvironmentxtreme.com/downloads.html

[falcon409]

I have been using the free one from REX for quite a while now and like it (IIRC I am using the v.II type).

I also use their road and highway textures (but opted for the ones without vehicles as low down they look awful!).
Ah, there ya go, thank you Tako!!

[Cazzie]

PicNic works real well when installed in FSX, just make sure it is directed it into the main FSX folder. It is compatable with FS2004 too, again just install it into the main FS9 folder.

<table align="center" bgcolor="#aaccee" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="left" width="*">PicNic 1.0 - Add grass in Flight Simulator </td> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap"> <!-- http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/Link.png (http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/esearch.php?DLID=110723) --> http://library.avsim.net/images/ZipDive.png (http://library.avsim.net/zipdiver.php?DLID=110723) http://library.avsim.net/images/Download.png (http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=110723) </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Images related to this file:



-10_223712.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179485)
_223712-9.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179486)
_223712-6.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179487)
_223712-7.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179488)
_223712-8.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179489)
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_223712-5.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179491)
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_223712-1.jpg (http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179495)

<table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td> http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=179494 </td> <td width="*"> File Description:
After the success of TreeX, it was logical to improve the ground of Flight Simulator. This is why PicNic was carried out. But PicNic is much more than grass! It makes it possible to improve the ground in general, giving to basic textures an aspect more contrasted and also while bringing more relief. PicNic run olso on the photo-realistic sceneries bringing an additional dimension to them! It also makes it possible to better appreciate its speed, making the flights at very low altitude more alive. The pilots of helicopter will appreciate the precision which PicNic during the operations of landing and hoovering. PicNic is FS2004 compatible.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table align="center" bgcolor="#aaccee" border="0" width="50%"><tbody><tr> <td width="25%">Filename:</td> <td width="75%">picnic_1.0.zip</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%">License:</td> <td width="75%">Freeware</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%">Added:</td> <td width="75%">10th October 2007</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%">Downloads:</td> <td width="75%">18522</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%">Author:</td> <td width="75%">Aim� Leclercq - Interface: Jacky Brouze</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25%">Size:</td> <td width="75%">11555kb</td></tr></tbody></table>

Caz

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/cazmodel/sylvia_7-1.jpg

[falcon409]

Ok, my bad. . .what I'm looking for is grass "edging". . .just a long strip of grass that can be placed along the edge of a building, fenceline, apron edge anywhere to break the hard edges up and soften it a bit.

The object library I am trying to use is like that except that the grass isn't transparent, but has the area around it I described above. Sorry guys.

[Tako_Kichi]

It looks like the 'Grass I' texture from REX might do that but of course it won't allow you to place it where you like. It appears to place longer grass at the edges of aprons and things though. Have a look at the screenshots on this page....

http://realenvironmentxtreme.com/forum/index.php?topic=1342.0

[falcon409]

I'm gonna have to read up on this a bit and take a break in the meantime. Let my brain cool off. Nothing shows in the sim, not around taxiways, or ramps or anywhere actually. It may be a case of those areas having to meet certain criteria before it's applied. . .I need to figure out what those are.

Thanks for the link!!